In its fifth edition, the Global Report on Local Democracy and Decentralization (GOLD) on ‘The Localization of the Global Agendas’ examines in detail the assessments of the implementation of the global agendas in the 142 countries (representing 86% of the world’s population) that have presented at least one Voluntary National Review since 2016. This month, the Regional Report on Middle East and West Asia (MEWA), derived from the Fifth Edition of the GOLD, is available.
Representatives of the MEWA region have contributed to this Report, advocating the need to include an urban and territorial perspective, with a specific reference to the region and the global agendas. Despite the immense socio-economic, cultural and historical diversity of the MEWA region, certain trends and common challenges can be observed in the way in which the countries approach the SDG framework and the global commitments of the different agendas. To meet their existing and future developmental challenges, MEWA countries must ensure the autonomy of local governments, increase their engagement, and maintain and effectively deliver basic public services and infrastructural development.
The GOLD V provides an up-to-date global mapping of the localization processes of the global agendas. It particularly highlights how decentralization and multilevel governance contribute to these processes. The Report also highlights how the involvement of local and regional governments in coordination mechanisms is essential to create a sense of collective responsibility for the achievement of more equitable, fairer and sustainable societies.