Agenda for Action: Sustainable Urban Transformation in Bhopal

May 13, 2023

Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, recently became the first city in India to adopt the localisation of the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This initiative, known as Voluntary Local Review (VLR), aims to translate the global agenda into local actions and impacts that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

Collaboration for Sustainable Urban Transformation:

Bhopal’s VLR is the result of a collaborative effort between the Bhopal Municipal Corporation, UN-Habitat, and a collective of over 23 local stakeholders. This collaboration demonstrates the city’s aspirations for a sustainable and inclusive urban transformation. The launch of the “Agenda for Action: Sustainable Urban Transformation” on May 12, 2023, marked a crucial step towards achieving these goals.

The 2030 Agenda and SDGs

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all 193 member states of the United Nations in 2015, comprises 17 SDGs and 169 targets. These goals serve as a comprehensive plan of action for promoting people, planet, and prosperity. Member states report their progress towards these goals through voluntary national reviews (VNR) presented to the UN’s high-level political forum (HLPF).

The Significance of VLRs for Local and Regional Progress

While VNRs focus on national progress, VLRs have emerged as a powerful tool for cities and regions to assess their own subnational progress towards the SDGs. VLRs allow local and regional governments to align their actions and policies with the global agenda. They provide a platform for measuring and showcasing local commitments and capacity, fostering a sense of accountability, and facilitating peer learning among cities and regions.

The Role of Cities and Regions in Achieving Agenda 2030

Cities and regions play a pivotal role in achieving the SDGs as they contribute to the attainment of at least 60% of the 169 targets. By localizing the SDGs and implementing targeted actions at the local level, cities like Bhopal can drive sustainable development, address regional challenges, and create positive impacts on a global scale. Their efforts are crucial in realizing the transformative vision outlined in Agenda 2030.

Trailblazing Examples and Future Prospects

Bhopal’s adoption of SDG localization follows in the footsteps of New York City, which became the first city to present its VLR to the HLPF in 2018. This pioneering approach has inspired other cities and regions worldwide to undertake their own subnational reviews. By 2021, 33 countries had made 114 VLRs or similar review documents publicly available. This trend signifies the growing recognition of the significance of VLRs and the need for localized action to achieve sustainable development.

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