Community Forum Regional governments

Regions have expanded their role in development, thanks in particular to state reforms over the last decades (e.g., decentralization and regionalization). These changes in political and territorial structures have forced regions and intermediary governments to voice their demands before the international community and forge a natural alliance with local authorities.
 
Regions are key actors in the achievement of the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda; their competencies range from to territorial planning to economic development, to the provision of infrastructures, environmental management, equality, education, health, and food security policies, among others. This debate will focus on regions’ role in multi-level governance and the achievement of more balanced territorial development, as well as a strengthened cooperation among urban and rural areas.