UCLG-MEWA actively participated in the UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2026, held in New York, USA, between July 7-15. With 2026 marking a critical juncture in the final stretch toward the 2030 Agenda, this year’s forum placed a pivotal focus on reviewing SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) alongside SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), bringing essential public services like housing, water, and energy to the forefront.
The UCLG-MEWA Secretariat was represented in New York by a delegation led by Secretary General Dr. Mehmet Duman alongside General Coordinator Yehia Ibrahim. Speaking at the Local and Regional Governments’ Day on July 15 and during the official session “Building Resilient Urban Futures: Regional Pathways to Achieving SDG 11” on July 16, Dr. Duman strongly advocated for the vital role of local and regional governments in driving sustainable development across the MEWA region. He emphasized that “resilient cities are not built by infrastructure alone, they are built through trust, cooperation, and strong local leadership.”
Dr. Duman underlined that achieving the 2030 Agenda requires empowering local municipalities as full partners in decision-making and highlighted the region’s remarkable achievements in SDG localization, where 12 local governments have produced 14 Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), alongside the presentation of Türkiye’s two Voluntary Subnational Reviews (VSRs) at this year’s HLPF.
Throughout key moments at UN Headquarters, including the official review of SDG 11, the July 14 Local & Regional Governments Forum, and the July 15 launch of the 10th “Towards the Localization of the SDGs” Report, UCLG-MEWA brought the distinct perspectives of communities across the MEWA region into global policy discussions.
Key representatives from across the MEWA region further demonstrated this local commitment on the global stage. Mayor of Al Madinah Region, Eng. Fahad Al Buliheshi highlighted how institutionalized coope
ration, evidence-based policymaking, and Saudi Arabia’s VNR process are bridging silos between local and national decision-makers in line with the UN Pact for the Future.
Meanwhile, Dr. Yousef Shawarbeh, UCLG Vice President for MEWA and Mayor of Amman, officially announced Amman’s second Voluntary Local Review, marking another major milestone for transparent, data-driven action in the Levant region. Together, these unified efforts demonstrate how local knowledge, multilevel governance, and regional cooperation across the MEWA region continue to drive meaningful global progress.
