With less than 100 days until COP28, the LGMA Constituency expects multilevel action and urbanization to be among the primary themes. LGMA's traditional advocacy approaches, such as position papers, interventions in different UNFCCC negotiation agendas, and the Multilevel Action Pavilion as our basecamp, are now enhanced with additional support from within and outside UNFCCC or UN processes, thanks to multiple initiatives at national and global levels. We look forward to elevating these efforts with the advancement of the partnership announced in March by the coming COP28 Presidency and Bloomberg Philanthropies, where LGMA has been actively involved. To guide our efforts, we are sharing a preliminary mapping of this “ecosystem of subnational advocacy” to ensure appropriate synergy. You can also see the LGMA agenda for the next 100 days at the end of this bulletin.
The GST Co-facilitators released theirsummary of the 3rd Technical Dialogue in June 2023. where para 158, as well as 160-169 highlights multilevel governance, the role of subnationals, and the importance of urbanization. A detailed technical report will be available in September. Our next engagement opportunity will be at an informal workshop in Abu Dhabi on 12-13 October.
Africa Kicks Off the Regional Climate Weeks
Africa Climate Week is the first of the four Regional Climate Weeks in 2023. We are particularly happy that LGMA and CoMSSA Africa are invited to lead the official high-level opening of Track 2 on 6 September. Many LGMA partners will also be actively engaged in other sessions of Track-2 as well as convene their own side events. View the full Cities and Regions track here.
Call for Applications Opening Soon: Funding for Local & Subnational Stocktakes
We will be supporting 10 cities or regions across the Global South to host their local and subnational stocktakes as contributing events to this year’s Global Stocktake. Events should be inclusive, conclude before COP28, and follow the structure in our #Stocktake4ClimateEmergency Toolkit found here. Applications will be available by 6 September 2023.
The Forum of Amazon Cities referred to in the Belem Declaration was launched as an outcome of the event hosted by the City of Belém on 4-6 August, supported by the Brazilian Ministry of Cities and Ministry of Environment and Climate, Brazilian Front of Mayors, State of Para, Union of Cities of State of Para, Interamerican Development Bank and ICLEI South America Secretariat. The Portuguese and Spanish versions of the Belém Declaration of the Forum of Amazonian Cities — signed by 25 Mayors of the Amazonian Region — refer to "strengthen cooperation between local authorities in State Parties, particularly in cities in border areas, aiming at the implementation, at the local level.”
In ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Centre’s webinar series in partnership with Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, UNEP, IUCN, European Committee of the Regions (CoR), and Regions4, learn about increasing investment in biodiversity action at local and subnational levels, including instruments such as grants, bonds, and blended finance mechanisms. Register here.
The session will be convened by the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) alongside the LGMA. It will be co-hosted by the COP28 Presidency, ICLEI, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Cities Race to Resilience and the High-Level Climate Champions - Dr Mahmoud Mohieldin and HE Razan al Mubarak. Register here.
The LGMA’s advocacy calendar culminates in November/December with COP28 in Dubai. Still, it is marked by key moments all year long, across three agendas: United Nations and UNFCCC events hosted globally or by nations, and those hosted by our own constituency organizations. Stay informed with our monthly webinars! Register here.
