Bilbao, chosen by the UN to host the Secretariat of the Local Coalition 2030

USPA NEWS - The joint work of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation; the Ministry for Social Rights and 2030 Agenda; the Basque Government and Bilbao City Council has led to Bilbao being selected to host the United Nations body responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the closest levels to citizens.

This decision means a new United Nations agency will have its presence in Spain and boost the country's leadership in the world in terms of localising the SDGs. Therefore, Spain, the Basque Country and the city of Bilbao are recognised as benchmarks in terms of territorialisation, acknowledging their transformative role in implementing the 2030 Agenda. The Local Coalition 2030 is responsible for promoting activities by cities, regional and national governments and the private sector to localise the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation has promoted this candidacy as part of Spain's commitment to the 2030 Agenda. The decentralised political and administrative structure of Spain makes local and regional governments key players in developing the Agenda. In recent years, Spain's drive in this area has been recognised internationally and multilaterally, with it participating in events organised by the UN at the highest levels.

It is also worth highlighting the role played by Spain in the European Union, which is paying increasing attention to decentralisation processes in partner countries, together with the aims of citizen participation, transparency and accountability. This decision reaffirms Spain's multilateral commitment to the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, as well as to the administrative structure of this country.