The recently released document makes references to the importance of cities and urbanization to sustainable development and to the role of local authorities in making the Agenda a reality.

The release of the zero draft of the outcome document for the UN Summit to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts of UCLG and the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments to advocate for the importance of local authorities at international level.

In the preamble, local authorities are particularly recognized as partners in the renewal and planning of cities “to foster community cohesion and personal security and to stimulate innovation and employment”. More broadly, the draft emphasizes the vital importance of a ‘renewed and strengthened global partnership’ and calls for the engagement of all stakeholders, including local authorities, in the implementation and monitoring of the Agenda.

One of the top priorities of the local government constituency over the past year has been the inclusion of a goal that recognizes the transformative potential of urbanization to drive sustainable development. The maintenance of Sustainable Development Goal 11 "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable" in the draft is testament to the commitment and advocacy work of local elected leaders, urbanists and their allies in national and international debates.

UCLG and its Committee on Culture, who have understood culture as the fourth pillar of sustainable development since 2010, particularly welcome the acknowledgement of culture and diversity as ‘intrinsic values’ and ‘enablers of sustainable development’.

UCLG and the Global Taskforce will continue to work with our members and partners to advocate for a single, universal international agenda that addresses poverty eradication, sustainable development, financing and climate change and provides the capacities and resources to all levels to enable its achievement.

Local and regional governments are committed to contributing to the development of implementation and monitoring mechanisms over the coming months and years, and will be advocating for a localized approach that takes into account the diversity of challenges and resources at local level and that allows sub-national inequalities in the achievement of the Agenda to be identified and addressed.

The zero draft will be discussed at the next session of intergovernmental negotiations in New-York on 22-25 June.