31 March 2023, 8:30-13:45 (Bangkok, GMT+7)

Hybrid 

Background

This Regional Learning Exchange hosted jointly by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) aims to provide a platform for sharing lessons and ideas among policymakers, implementers, and technical experts towards improving the localization, integration, and implementation of the NUA and the Sustainable Development Goals in the region.

This workshop draws on the work of the Interregional Cooperation for the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda - DA12 project as well as the Voluntary Local Review (VLR) experiences across the Asia and Pacific region.

The integration of national and local urban policies is crucial for greater policy coherence and impact as well as accelerating the recovery from COVID-19 and implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in urban areas. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on cities and urban areas, highlighting existing inequalities and vulnerabilities. The SDGs and NUA provide a framework for sustainable development, including in urban areas, and can guide the recovery process toward more resilient and equitable cities.

Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) are a tool used to measure progress towards sustainable development at the local level. They provide a platform for local governments and stakeholders to share their experiences, challenges, and successes in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their communities. VLRs are becoming increasingly important in the context of Covid-19 recovery and sustainable development as they provide a mechanism for local governments and stakeholders to work together, measure progress, build accountability, and identify and address challenges facing their communities.