Community leaders worldwide are working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the final “decade of delivery” ahead of 2030. As the international community seeks answers on how to localize the 2030 Agenda, many of the solutions can be found in communities and the knowledge and agency of local leaders.

To address this urgent moment for action and build upon the knowledge of local actors, IPI and the UN Human Security Unit (HSU), in collaboration with the Government of The Gambia, the Senegalo-Gambian Permanent Secretariat, the UN Resident Coordinator, the UN Country Team in The Gambia, and Humanity United hosted a forum on Localizing the 2030 Agenda: Building on What Works.

The forum took place from October 28-29, 2019, in Banjul, The Gambia, with the aim to bring together community leaders from West Africa who are working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The leaders contributed their expertise to generate knowledge, build skills, strengthen relationships, and exchange strategies. The forum included 78 leaders and key participants from five to eight contiguous West African countries: Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.

This forum provided a unique opportunity to break out of traditional silos that often keep government officials, UN representatives, members of civil society, and entrepreneurs from working together. It offered a space to share how to craft inclusive peace and development strategies that put people and communities at the center, not only as recipients but as empowered agents of change.

Your Voice Matters

Ahead of the event, IPI and partners hosted an online “tweet chat” on what works to achieve the SDGs at the community level. We received input, not only from the West African region, but from all around the world.

Want to join in the conversation? Follow along with #Localizing2030 & #WA2030, ask questions, and contribute your input here.