The nrg4SD (Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development) brings together subnational governments and associations of subnational governments that share common interests in climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development. It was established in 2002, at the World Summit in Johannesburg, and today represents 50 subnational governments from 26 countries.
The nrg4SD is the only international network on sustainable development matters representing solely subnational governments.
Our mission is to take the voice of subnational governments to the international scenario, seeking a wider recognition at the importance of its role and contribution towards sustainable development.
Additionally, the nrg4SD supports the elaboration and implementation of responsible and ambitious territorial policies, tools and resources, which are adapted to the subnational level. For example by encouraging expertise exchange, partnerships and projects among our members, as well as with other major international stakeholders, non-governmental organisations, the business sector and academia. The nrg4SD actively participates in the UN system negotiations and discussions especially on Sustainable Development issues, strengthening the participation and involvement of Major Groups and other Stakeholders. As one of the Organizing Partners (OPs) of the Local Authorities Major Group, the network was deeply engaged in the preparations for and at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20, ensuring a broad participation of subnational governments, for instance by co-organizing the World Summit of States and Regions and by promoting commitments at the subnational level towards Sustainable Development. Likewise, the nrg4SD maintained the level of engagement through the follow-up processes established by the Future We Want outcome document.
Particularly in the definition of the post-2015 development agenda, the network participated directly at all the negotiation sessions of the Open Working Group (OWG) for the definition of a proposal set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), building upon the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The nrg4SD was involved in this process mainly through Major Groups system, additionally as core partner of the Communitas Coalition for Sustainable Cities and Regions and as member of the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments. Based on the subnational perspective and members point of views, nrg4SD convened, especially through interventions in the main plenary, but also by contributing in parallel events connected to this agenda. In the same direction, the network developed a position paper to raise awareness on the need of an integrated territorial approach in the post 2015 Development Agenda and contributed to different papers and activities with stakeholders also advocating in this process, especially through the campaign for an Urban SDG.
Since early 2015, the nrg4SD was also present at the monthly intergovernmental negotiation sessions on the post-2015 development agenda. In this process, the network worked closely with other OPs to deliver common statements during the Interactive Dialogues, and yet nrg4SD prepared specific key messages papers for each of the most relevant sessions for its constituency. During the April session on Global Partnership and Means of Implementation, nrg4SD organized a side-event on the key contributions and relevance of enabling local and subnational governments to collaborate and implement this agenda.
Additionally, the network has also been engaged in the discussions for the High Level Political Forum ? HLPF, and also contributing to the several reflection on the role of the HLPF when it comes to follow-up and review of the post-2015 framework.
Moreover, nrg4SD, accredited to UNEP under the Local Authorities Major Group, participated at the first Open Ended CPR and at the first meeting of the UNEA in, 2014. During these opportunities, nrg4SD made unique and direct contributions to the thematic resolutions being discussed. It is also worth noting nrg4SD was also appointed Alternate Focal Point to the 10YFP - 10 Year Framework of Programs on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns.
In addition, nrg4SD has established an ad hoc Working Group on Sustainable Development. This will feed directly into the international discussions on the SDGs, targets and indicators, and also help subnational governments planning on the implementation of these goals and future actions in their own territories.
Last, it must be highlighted the involvement of nrg4SD at the 2014 UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development in 2014 Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. At the occasion, the nrg4SD co-hosted an official side-event and a case-studies compilation on Education on Sustainable Development, with members? practices. For the past 13 years the nrg4SD has raised the voice of subnational governments and represented them also in climate and biodiversity forums. The network promotes debates among our members to agree upon joint positions and proposals that are brought into the intergovernmental negotiations. nrg4SD is accredited as observer at UNFCCC, and during Conferences and negotiations, advocates for the recognition of subnational governments in the conventions and documents adopted. It also organizes side-events to showcase best-practices and actions of subnational governments.
Particularly on Biodiversity, nrg4SD is a Co-Chair of the CBD Advisory Committee of Subnational Governments (AC SNG), which has an Action Plan for 2013-15. In this regard, nrg4SD supports the implementation of actions for the biodiversity conservation at subnational level, mainly with a view to the achievement of the Aichi Targets, which are greatly improved by actions with a territorial approach.
Regarding the Climate Change agenda, subnational governments Subnational governments have a very strategic capacity through concomitant coordination of different actions on multiple sectors, such as on land use and management, road transport, basic infrastructure on water and energy supply, industrial productive chains, cultural heritage, food production, biodiversity and
Ecosystem conservation, climate change resilience, especially on risk management and preparedness, among others. With that in mind, the nrg4SD promotes the exchange of practices among members and the inclusion of their potential collaboration in international decisions and guidelines.
In the run-up to Paris, COP 21, nrg4SD is supporting and organizing multiple preparatory meetings and events to discuss and agree the position of subnational governments on the new global climate agreement, and also to propose concrete mechanisms of inclusion of these actors in the elaboration, implementation and monitoring of the climate actions.. Additionally nrg4SD will take part at the UNFCCC ADP meetings, advocating for mentions to the local and subnational levels, in recognition of their key competencies and capacities towards tackling climate change.
At COP 21, nrg4SD plans on holding two different side-events, in addition to a strong engagement in the negotiation and parallel discussions. Beyond the Conference in Paris, the network is studying concrete mechanisms to support member regions in the implementation of the global decisions adapted to each territorial reality and specificity. With a view to the upcoming years nrg4SD is launching in 2015 an internal call for cooperation projects, in order to finance and support bilateral or multilateral south-south or north-south technical collaboration initiatives, in addition to financing projects for the exchange of staff among members. YES - ACTIVITYREPORT2014_f1.pdf nrg4SD main governing body is a General Assembly that meets annually and which is open for the participation of all member governments or associations. During these opportunities, it is defined the network?s work programme, guidelines and messages to orient the actions developed throughout the year. Moreover, the Assemblies assess and approve the adhesion of new members and elect governments to act in key positions to support daily activities and ensure global coverage:
? Co-Chair for the North: Catalonia (Spain). Elected by the GA in its meeting of 2013 in Sao Paolo (Brazil). Current mandate: 2013-2016.
? Co-Chair for the South: Western Province (Sri Lanka). Elected by the GA in its meeting of 2014 in Cartagena (Colombia). Current mandate: 2014-2017.
? Vice-Chair for Africa: Nord Burkina (Burkina Faso). Elected by the GA in its meeting of 2014 in Cartagena (Colombia). Current mandate: 2014-2016.
? Vice-Chair for America: Association of Environmental Regional Authorities-ANAAE (Mexico). Elected by the GA in its meeting of 2013 in Sao Paolo (Brazil). Current mandate: 2013-2015.
? Vice-Chair for Asia: North Sumatra (Indonesia). Elected by the GA in its meeting of 2013 in Sao Paolo (Brazil). Current mandate: 2013-2015.
? Vice-Chair for Europe: Brittany (France). Elected by the GA in its meeting of 2013 in Sao Paolo (Brazil). Current mandate: 2013-2015.
Steering Committee members: ANAAE (Mexico), Basque Country (Spain), Brittany (France), Catalonia (Spain), Fatick (Senegal), Flanders (Belgium), Goiás (Brazil), North Burkina (Burkina Faso), North Sumatra (Indonesia), OLAGI (Ecuador), Quebec (Canada), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rhône Alpes (France), Sao Paolo (Brazil), Western Province (Sri Lanka), Wales (UK). Elected by the GA in its meeting of 2013 in Sao Paolo (Brazil). Current mandate: 2013-2015. Linksnrg4SDdocuments1.docx