Irbid

Local governments are in contact with people in the most direct way. They receive demands, claims, and complaints from residents, while developing and enacting policies that directly affect lives. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted their critical role in addressing the political and social challenges of the pandemic. 

The global trend towards decentralization only further shows the role of local governments to assess the needs of constituents and deliver on human rights through local laws, policies and programs. 

Local governments have put in place laws, public policies and innovative initiatives to implement human rights. As cities are piloting new approaches, new spaces of dialogue are critical to allow for an exchange of experience among local governments and peer-to-peer learning. 

Today more than half of the world's population lives in urban areas, and by 2030 this is expected to rise to 60 percent. To ensure that urbanization processes maintain and respect human rights, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goal 11 calls for governments to commit to "make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable." 

Cities, and local and regional governments are at the forefront of delivering on the development and urban agenda. Human rights are key to advancing and developing an urbanization that is sustainable and socially inclusive, that promotes equality, combats discrimination in all its forms and empowers individuals and communities. 

Supporting human rights is key if any institution wants to promote just and inclusive sustainable growth in its operating areas and society. It's no coincidence that human rights underpin the UN Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aimed at achieving a healthy natural environment and socio-economic well-being for all by 2030.