DILG, UN to stage Phl Mayors Forum

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in collaboration with the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines, will hold the Philippine Mayors Forum on Friday, 27 October.

The event was aimed at highlighting the vital role that local government units (LGUs) play in the attainment of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It will be attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, mayors from cities and municipalities nationwide, as well as national government officials, UN representatives, and international experts.

Secretary Abalos said the forum is designed to empower LGUs as allies of the government while also emphasizing their critical contribution to the implementation of SDGs towards achieving the Ambisyon Natin 2040.

"The country remains committed to achieving the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. We recognize that our local leaders play a critical role in achieving the SDGs toward inclusive and sustainable development," he said.

The forum is dubbed the "Philippine Mayors Forum: Innovation, Digital Governance, and Resiliency Building towards Accelerated Implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the Philippines".

Abalos further said that the localization of the SDGs is vital as it is at the core of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028.

The PDP is based on the Marcos administration's eight-point socio-economic agenda, serving as the country's overall economic blueprint in development planning for the next six years.

The activity will be conducted through a hybrid format, onsite at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Quezon City, and online, through Zoom teleconferencing platform and streamed live on Facebook.