A/HRC/45/39
objectives and targets established in the national policies, plans and programmes adopted.
There seems to be a lack of clearly defined, structured and participatory mechanisms for
reviewing and monitoring their evolution.
74.
Specific provisions about periodic reporting, evaluation, responsibilities and
accountability should be part of the plans and programmes for the implementation of the
Sustainable Development Goals and targets. Reports should also be submitted to regional
organizations and other United Nations bodies, in view of the global evaluation of the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda, with a view to exchanging experiences and good
practices and, if necessary, receiving advice and assistance.
V. Involvement of local government
75.
Reports received from the OHCHR (A/HRC/42/22) and from regional and local
authorities detail their important roles in promoting human rights, in particular in adopting
development plans and programmes that contribute to the implementation of the 2030
Agenda and of the New Urban Agenda.
76.
There are numerous examples of municipalities and local bodies that have adopted
measures to implement the objectives contained in the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban
Agenda. The city of Lisbon adopted a programme on tackling discrimination against ethnic
or social groups, such as Roma persons, people of African descent and lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. In Sao Paulo, Brazil, a special committee
identified homelessness and access to housing as a priority. In Nuremberg, Germany, the
city established committees for disabled persons, refugees and migrants. In Albania and
Croatia, local plans of action were adopted for the integration of Roma persons. The state of
Hawaii and the city of Honolulu, United States of America, adopted at the state and city
levels, respectively, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,
the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities, and expressed the intention to implement them. The cities of Amsterdam,
Barcelona, Spain, and New York formed the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights to protect
human rights on the Internet, at the local and global levels, on the basis of five principles,
namely, universal and equal access to the Internet, digital literacy, privacy, data protection
and security, transparency and accountability, and non-discrimination. The Nairobi county
authority adopted an integrated urban development plan for the period 2018–2022 and a
policy on community participation. In Greece, partnerships were established between the
local authorities, civil society and international actors in order to provide health care and
education to refugees and migrants. A Mediterranean city-to-city migration programme,
including cities on both sides of the sea, was created to improve the situation of migrants
through coordinated efforts.
77.
Treaty bodies adopted recommendations for States parties to ensure the participation
of women, minorities, indigenous peoples and people of African descent in local
government, to increase the capacity of local authorities to promote and protect the human
rights of marginalized populations and persons belonging to minority groups.
78.
While recognizing the challenges faced by local government, mainly the lack of
autonomy and of financial resources, the regional and local authorities play an important
complementary role in the promotion of sustainable development and respect for human
rights, due to their proximity to people and contact with them, their knowledge of the
situation and their specific function to provide public services that address local needs.
79.
In national reports, States reported that local authorities made progress at local
levels, which can supplement the changes proposed by the Government and implement
them more quickly and effectively. Nevertheless, it is not always clear whether they are
involved from the beginning and in all stages of the process to implement the Sustainable
Development Goals.
80.
States should therefore ensure the active participation of local government bodies,
according to their constitutional and legal systems, in the elaboration and implementation of
the plans and programmes to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, by integrating
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