Established in 2015, the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development includes 17 goals to be achieved within the next 15 years, and is addressed to both States and international organisations. Regions in Europe also play a crucial role in achieving these goals, as demonstrated by a debate on their implementation held on 30 October 2019 in the Congress’ Chamber of Regions.

Carolina Darias San Sebastian (Spain), Councillor of the Government of the Canary Islands for the implementation of Agenda 2030 of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands, presented the entire process aimed at making this document a reality and implementing it at the regional level, a process based on broad public participation. First of all, the Regional Parliament defined the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved in the archipelago, and identified the actors, methods and means necessary to implement them. The regional government then developed a series of concrete actions to be taken. Presented as a new model of governance, the Agenda 2030 of the Canary Islands is, according to its promoters, a real “social, co-operative and sustainable” regional development strategy.

This strategy, which is currently being finalised, will be officially presented in 2020, followed by a first evaluation in 2025 and a review in 2030. Like the other outermost regions of Europe, the Canary Islands are extremely aware of their insularity and specificity: this is also why the Regional Agenda 2030 takes into account the particularities of the archipelago as closely as possible, “because the inhabitants of the islands know better than anyone else that we live on a unique small planet, in the middle of a sea of stars”, concluded Carolina Darias San Sebastian.

Youth delegates come together for the SDGs

Speaking on behalf of the youth delegates of the Congress, Niels de Fraguier (France) recalled the very high expectations and the mobilisation of young Europeans towards the goals of the Agenda 2030. All the young delegates would like to be more closely associated with the work of the Congress in this field, and welcome the establishment of a real partnership around these objectives. Niels de Fraguier stressed the importance of the “bottom-up” approach that characterises local authorities to make citizens understand the challenges of sustainable development. In addition, sustainable development policies that include the actual participation of young people and civil society will strengthen citizens' trust in local and regional authorities.

Many young delegates spoke during the debate, confirming their strong motivation on this subject. Icelandic youth delegate Lilja Ludviksdottir explained how young people in her country are organising themselves to raise public awareness on sustainable development issues and participating in setting local and regional objectives.

Concrete objectives for the regions

During the debate, several regions presented the progress of their work in the framework of Agenda 2030, according to the different goals, some of which were particularly suitable for implementation at local and regional level. Konstantin Tolkachev (Russian Federation, ILDG) described how the State has delegated many sustainable development programmes to the regions. Natalia Komarova (Russian Federation, EPP/CCE) presented some of the achievements of her region in relation to SDG 11 of the Agenda, which concerns inclusive and resilient cities. The online services portal developed in her region for the benefit of citizens also responds to this goal. Goran Pauk (Croatia, EPP/CCE) focused on SDG 13, which in his country has led to a new way of managing coastal areas and a better protection of water resources.

Reinhardt Rohr (Austria, SOC) mentioned the priorities and actions taken throughout the country in the field of nature protection, citing in particular the ban on glyphosate, as well as several educational projects related to sustainable development. According to Josef Frey (Germany, SOC), the role of the regions in achieving SDGs is still underestimated, while their actions can have a very positive “snowball effect”. He cited various measures to enhance and protect the Rhine, stressing that environmental protection must always go hand in hand with social justice.

Carolina Darias San Sebastian’s speech (only available in Spanish)

Video of the debate: EN - FR - Original

** 37th Session of the Congress **

File 37th Session - Agenda - Videos and photos – Mediabox interviews