Toyota City, Japan
Excellencies, Distinguished Governors and Mayors Distinguished Participants,
It is a great honor for me to open the 2025 International Mayors Forum here in Toyota City.
On behalf of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, I extend my deepest gratitude to Mayor Ota and his team and the people of Toyota City for your warm hospitality, and also my sincere thanks to the Government of Japan for its steadfast leadership on the Sustainable Development Goals and to the Government of Aichi Prefecture for continued support to UNCRD.
Of course, I need to mention my thanks to our co-organizer UN-Habitat, and my dedicated team, the UNDESA colleagues for supporting this event.
Most importantly, I acknowledge all of you. The presence of distinguished governors, mayors, and local leaders underscore the vital role of local leadership in advancing the 2030 Agenda.
Dear colleagues and dear friends,
This year¡¯s Forum convenes at a crucial moment. With only five years remaining, the SDGs are under immense pressure. The 2025 SDG Report of the United Nations reveals that only 35 per cent of SDG targets are on track or making progress moderately. Nearly half of targets are advancing very slowly or too slowly and 18 per cent are reversing.
This is not just a warning. This is a global alarm and an urgent call to accelerate local action and build resilient communities.
Cities and towns are on the frontlines of converging crises, including climate disasters, rising inequality, and economic uncertainty.
In recent years, the world has seen how quickly global shocks have turned into local crises, intensifying poverty, unemployment, and gender-based violence in our communities.
It is therefore crucial to match the ambition of the 2030 Agenda with urgency, and implement targeted and integrated policies.
Our path forward lies in driving systemic change through the six SDG transitions ¨C addressing food systems, energy access and affordability, digital transformation, education, jobs and social protection, and addressing climate change, biodiversity and pollution.
Local and regional governments are key to turning global commitments into tangible progress.
The theme of this Forum ¡ª ¡°Actions Today for a Resilient Future: Localizing the SDGs and Advancing the Pact for the Future¡± ¡ª reminds us that our task is urgent, but also achievable.
Excellencies, Dear Colleagues,
The power of local action is clearly evident here in Japan. And also indeed in this city, Toyota City and many other municipalities across Japan, they are pioneers in SDG localization. I warmly commend cities presenting your VLR - Voluntary local reviews, at this Forum.
These efforts demonstrate how local innovation drives national policy and international peers learning. Action across Japan, the SDGs Future Cities initiative engages more than 200 municipalities. From integrating SDG learning in schools to business certification, Japan shows how national leadership and local engagement reinforce each other.
I am truly inspired by the diversity represented here ¡ª from large cities to small towns, from developed and developing countries alike. Each of you brings valuable knowledge, insights and experience that can benefit your peers globally.
This Forum is your platform. I strongly encourage you to share your successes, debate your challenges, and forge new alliances and partnerships among you and beyond you.
The Pact for the Future, adopted by UN Member States last year, provides a shared vision for solidarity, sustainability, and opportunity.
Critically, it calls for stronger integration of local and regional governments into global governance and financing frameworks.
As mandated by the Pact, the UN Secretary-General released his report in July 2025 outlining actionable recommendations to strengthen engagement between the United Nations and local and regional authorities to advance the 2030 Agenda.
I just want to highlight a few recommendations here:
? First, Enhancing existing platforms such as the Local and Regional Governments Forum and the Forum of Mayors;
? Second, Revitalize the United Nations Advisory Committee of Local Authorities (UNACLA);
? Third, Explore new institutional arrangements, such as an ECOSOC Forum of Mayors, annual hearings, or even permanent observer status for local and regional authorities at the UN General Assembly.
Dear Colleagues, Dear Participants,
We must also look beyond 2030 ¡ª to build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities for future generations. This Forum, at the heart of Japan¡¯s innovation hub, can serve as a launchpad for that vision.
As Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres reminded us, ¡°The moral of the UN¡¯ story is simple: humanity is strongest when we stand as one.¡± This spirit of unity must guide us as we accelerate progress and look beyond 2030.
The road ahead is very challenging but full of opportunity counted on each and every of you. Let us make this Forum a turning point. Let us leave Toyota City with renewed determination and a clear action plan.
Together, let us make the 2025 International Mayors Forums a milestone for SDG localization, resilience, and a better future for all.
Thank you.