Euskadi is proud to host the Seventh OECD Roundtable on Cities and Regions for the SDGs.

• The event, in collaboration with the Basque Government, brings together a diverse range of stakeholders from cities, regions, state governments, the private sector, civil society, academia, philanthropy and international organisations.
• "To achieve sustainable urban development and accelerate progress on the SDGs, public policies must adopt innovative solutions.”
• The Basque Commitment Model for localising the SDGs
• 
  Now 2030 Basque Country has developed a threefold practical commitment: greater institutionalisation; greater socialisation; and greater personalisation.
• “Devolved governments possess 70% of the powers required to achieve the SDGs; therefore, they should play a more significant role in global governance.”
• “It is crucial that the 2030 Agenda is also considered an authoritative reference in times of war and in support of peace”
• "The increasing prevalence of war and its impact on the world necessitates international consideration of updating SDG 16 on peaceful societies.”

The 7th OECD Roundtable on Cities and Regions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is taking place today, 29 May, in the Tabakalera space in Donostia / San Sebastián. This event is organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Basque Government through the General Secretariat for Social Transition and Agenda 2030. Furthermore, the United Nations Local 2030 Coalition has also expressed its support for this initiative.

This event brings together key actors from cities, regions, state governments, the private sector, civil society, academia, philanthropy and international organisations to discuss the role of artificial intelligence and digitalisation in achieving the SDGs. The objective is to identify solutions to mobilise public and private finance for localising the SDGs, explore the impact of decentralised cooperation and city-city partnerships in achieving the 2030 Agenda and design a roadmap and next steps.

The opening ceremony held at the earliest opportunity, with the participation of Eneko Goia, Mayor of Donostia / San Sebastián; Cecilia Robles, Director General of the United Nations, International Organisations and Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. The event was attended by Paula Fernandez-Wulff, Director General of Agenda 2030 of the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030; Jonan Fernández, Secretary General of Social Transition and Agenda 2030; and Lamia Kamal-Chaoui, Director of the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities.

After welcoming attendees, Jonan Fernandez highlighted that the Basque Country is hosting this 7th Round Table due to its participation in the OECD programme: A Territorial Approach to the Sustainable Development Goals. This programme ‘evaluates the implementation of public policies for the promotion and implementation of the 2030 Agenda. This Seventh Roundtable’s objective is to identify public policies that require innovative solutions to drive sustainable urban development and accelerate progress on the SDGs. We must address the common challenges of inequality, housing and climate change in our cities and regions, which are reflected in our respective political and institutional agendas.’

The Secretary General for Social Transition and 2030 Agenda has emphasised the Basque Country's willingness to collaborate in the promotion of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals: “The Basque Country has the Euskadi Agenda 2030 Forum, which is responsible for the multi-agent co-governance of the SDGs. Based on our own experience, we have developed the Basque Commitment Model for localising the SDGs. The model proposes a threefold practical commitment to greater institutionalisation; greater socialisation; and greater personalisation of the 2030 Agenda.”

He also noted that, “the Basque Country plays host to the United Nations Local Coalition 2030 Secretariat, with a high level of involvement from Basque institutions. The HQ location in Bilbao presents an opportunity to share the Basque model of commitment to the SDGs internationally and to promote the commitment of regional institutions and social actors.”

Fernandez concluded his presentation with a final reflection on the current global situation: “The current situation in Ukraine and Gaza remains unchanged. Furthermore, conflicts continue in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Burma, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, the Sahel, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The growing presence of war and its effects in the world should prompt an international reflection on the updating of SDG 16 on peace. It is of the utmost importance that the 2030 Agenda serve as an authoritative reference for peace. The United Nations Future Summit will take place in September. It is my hope that this yearning for peace will be given a prominent place in the upcoming discussions.”

“The 2030 Agenda represents the most significant global collaborative initiative in history, addressing the most pressing challenges facing our planet and humanity. To achieve the optimal balance, the 2030 Agenda requires a greater level of commitment, action and project implementation. 2023 is now. Compromise is needed now.”