ORU Fogar President Reaffirms Commitment to the United Nations and the SDGs

Within the framework of the 9th Local and Regional Governments Forum, held on 14 July during the 2026 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2026) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the President of the Organization of United Regions (ORU Fogar), Rachid El Abdi, reaffirmed the organization's strong commitment to the 2030 Agenda.

During his intervention in the panel entitled "Reaffirming the Role of Essential Public Services in the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda", the President of the Regional Council of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra stressed that, with only five years remaining until the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is imperative that regional governments be fully recognized and provided with the resources they need to act.

The President of ORU Fogar highlighted that regions are strategic actors in territorial planning and the delivery of essential public services—including water, energy, transport and housing—and therefore play a fundamental role in strengthening resilience and social cohesion. He also emphasized that, when regions are entrusted with clear competences and supported by strong partnerships, they become genuine drivers of the territorialization of the SDGs.

However, his address also highlighted the critical challenges that remain, particularly in the areas of financing and multilevel governance. He called for improved access to more flexible financing mechanisms tailored to territorial realities, as well as for regional governments to be fully involved not only in the implementation of public policies, but also in their design and monitoring.

Looking ahead to the 2027 SDG Summit, the President concluded his remarks with a clear call for trust: "Trusting regional governments gives the 2030 Agenda its best chance of success."

In addition to President Rachid El Abdi, the 2026 High-level Political Forum (HLPF 2026) featured interventions by Koki Noriega, Governor of Áncash, representing the National Assembly of Regional Governments of Peru; Leonardo Orlando, Prefect of Manabí, representing CONGOPE; and Ababakar Khalifa Ndao, President of Dagana, Senegal.

On Local and Regional Governments Day, held on 15 July, interventions were also delivered by Bandiougou Diawara, President of the Regional Council of Kayes, representing the Association of Regions of Mali; and Oury Bailo Diallo, President of the Union des Associations des Élus Locaux du Sénégal (UAEL).