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FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York

Extraordinary Meeting of the Local2030 Coalition Steering Committee at the Summit of the Future

Guangzhou Qu, Director of the FAO Liaison Office of the United Nations in New York

20/10/2024

Welcome remarks 

  1. Good afternoon fellow Steering Committee Members, dear Madam Co-Chair.
  2. It is a pleasure to welcome you on behalf of FAO to today’s meeting, which provides us with an important opportunity to build on the momentum of the Summit of the Future Action Weekend and explore how the Coalition can further reinforce the commitments in the proposed Pact for the Future. 
  3. Today also gives us the opportunity to identify actionable steps that will further advance our efforts. As co-chair of the Local2030 Coalition, FAO is deeply committed to driving this mission forward. 
  4. Since 2023, FAO has been supporting the Coalition, championing the High Impact Initiative on Localization and organizing events and high-level meetings. We have also facilitated initiatives such as the Localization Marker, a tool to drive joint initiatives to prioritize localization efforts for the Joint SDG Fund.  Additionally, we have supported UN Country Team joint programs under the Localization Window.
  5. FAO is co-leading Working Group 1, which includes UN Habitat, FAO, UN DESA and IOM, which focuses on Localizing the Six SDG Transitions. In this working group, it is critical that the deliverables represent a collective UN effort, going beyond the usual policy recommendations and meetings. Working Group 2 includes UNDP, UNICEF and UNEP, and focuses on Financing these Transitions at the Local Level to ensure necessary resources are mobilized.   
  6. It is equally important that both working groups align their efforts to ensure coherence in their work. These collective efforts underscore our unwavering commitment to mobilizing local action and driving transformative change and impact on the ground.
  7. One of the most urgent actions identified in the current draft of the  Pact for the Future is Action 3: ending hunger, eliminating food insecurity, and all forms of malnutrition. This action addresses the reality that one-third of the world's population remains food insecure.   
  8. It is a call to support countries and communities affected by food insecurity, build national resilience to shocks, and promote sustainable agrifood systems that ensure everyone has access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food. 
  9. In addition, further actions in the draft Pact note that with unprecedented levels of displacement and food crises, it’s essential to strengthen local resilience to shocks and protect vulnerable populations through stronger social safety nets. 
  10. The proposed Pact for the Future also provides key entry points for our collaborative efforts towards localization. It emphasizes the need for the United Nations system to remain effective, efficient, and impactful, while committing to a more agile, responsive, and resilient UN. 
  11. This will help achieve the 2030 Agenda, address emerging challenges to sustainable development, and align with national priorities. 
  12. Thank you for your dedication and commitment, and I look forward to today’s discussions and how we can amplify the impact of our joint actions.  

Closing of the meeting by the Local2030 Coalition Co-chairs

  1. Dear Colleagues, I would like to express my deep appreciation for your active engagement and your valuable contributions to this meeting. Our discussions today have highlighted not only the challenges we face but also the immense opportunities that lie ahead for SDG localization.
  2. We have explored ways to integrate the actions and commitments outlined in the current draft of the Pact for the Future into the work of the Local2030 Coalition, reaffirming that the future of sustainable development is rooted in local action, and it is at this level that we can make the most significant impact.
  3. Ending hunger, eliminating food insecurity, and addressing malnutrition—one of the most critical actions in the proposed Pact—is a challenge that ties directly to many other areas we’ve talked about today, such as poverty reduction and building resilience. By focusing on sustainable food systems, we not only combat hunger but also tackle climate challenges and promote peaceful, inclusive societies.
  4. The work we do to support vulnerable populations and build resilient communities is key and is about ensuring that our local actions create lasting, tangible benefits on the ground across all dimensions.
  5. FAO is also looking forward to our meeting next year and hope that in summer 2025 when the Steering Committee meets, we will have taken initial steps on the localization of the Pact of the Future.