The Role of Local Governments in the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda and Ensuring Sustainable Urban Development; Lessons Learned from the Big Six Cities of the Punjab, Pakistan?

Cities are growing rapidly, and the rapid urban growth will bring new changes at global and local level throughout this century. The growth rate of urbanization is more tilted towards low-income countries. The cities in developing countries are under huge pressure due to rapid urbanizations. Generally, big cities are facing multiple problems such as climate change, air pollution, urban sprawl, water and sanitation, urban growth, change in family patterns, increase in slums and informal settlements, insecurity, challenges in the provision of urban services and rising inequality.

The intensity and context of these problems are varied from city to city. A city may need more focus to address climate change either by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions or through other local measures. Another city may be facing problems in the provision of basic services such as access to the house, safe drinking water, healthcare & family planning, education, culture and access to proper communication and technology. The context of each problem is different in each city that demands a different kind of solution according to their needs and demands.

The national and sub-national governments can't solve these problems and implement the agenda alone—in Pakistan; the Punjab is most populated province of the country and (more than 100 million) 52% population is living here. It is impossible for a sub-national government of a developing country is to ensure the implementation of NUA and SD Agenda 2030 because in developing and least developed countries are facing problems such as lack of sufficient human resources, finance, bad governance, institutional capacity, political instability etc. So, the role of LG in the implementation of NUA is like a backbone.

As the NUA document, has acknowledged the importance of the LGs for the implementation of it and the world is working to implement the NUA, we need a rigorous understanding of what kind of role of the LG are necessary for the implementation of the NUA? There is need of good practices of LGs for designing and further promoting its role and creating an environment of trust, responsibility, and ownership through appropriate actions, reforms, and informed dialogue among all international, national and local stakeholders.

In this event, the presenter will discuss the important role of the LGs in the implementation of the NUA with the lesson learned from the big six cities of the Punjab, Pakistan.The expert's panel will discuss the efforts of the LGs across the world for advancing the implementation of the NUA.It will highlight an example of successful local governments' strategies, actions, & initiatives around the world—a repository of LGs' strategies, actions, & initiatives being developed by the SD Clock which aim tohelp the policymaker while decision making—and share recommendations to support LGs and implementation of the NUA.It will further pave the way for the least developed countries how they and their LGs can ensure the implantation of the NUA.Finally, it will highlight the importance of education, awareness and meaningful dialogue between national, sub-national, and local governments for the implementation of the NUA.