The Minister for Foreign Action, Institutional Relations and Transparency, Alfred Bosch, today presented the Catalan Voluntary Review – the 2030 Agenda implementation plan that will be approved by the Catalan government in September – to representatives of governments from around the world. The minister also took advantage of the opportunity to call for dialogue and a democratic solution to the conflict between Catalonia and Spain.

 

Minister Bosch was speaking at Local and Regional Governments’ Day, an event held in New York, at a session focusing on topics being discussed at the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF): education, inclusive growth, reducing inequalities, climate change and peace, justice and inclusive institutions.

 

The minister presented the Catalan government’s proposal to achieve a more just and sustainable society, focusing particularly on two SDGs addressed in the government’s implementation plan: the goal of creating decent jobs with equal opportunity for men and women, and the one related to conflict resolution. “We’re committed to working on conflict resolution. As you know, conflict is a sensitive issue in Catalonia and Spain,” Bosch said. “We’re asking to work towards peace, justice and strong institutions,” he added after mentioning the Catalan politicians who are in prison or in exile for organising a referendum.

 

Local and Regional Governments’ Day is a parallel event to the UN forum, where local and regional governments from around the world share their visions in relation to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Alfred Bosch stressed the Catalan government’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the involvement of all ministries in implementing the 920 commitments it has made: 809 to be applied in Catalonia and 111 proposals for global action.

 

The event is organised jointly by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) – an umbrella organisation for cities, local and regional governments, and municipal associations throughout the world – and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). UCLG has over 240,000 members and defends the interests of local and regional governments at the global level.

 

Minister Bosch took part in the meeting of government representatives while on a trip to the United States, where he also attended the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development,  the main UN platform for follow-up on the 2030 Agenda.

 

The aim of the Catalan government’s participation in the HLPF and related events is to demonstrate that Catalonia is a responsible actor, committed to supporting sustainable development and applying the 2030 Agenda in our country.

 

Minister Bosch will also participate in a UN conference entitled “What is Democracy?” within the framework of the same forum.