Official Opening of the World Forum on Local Economic Development,  1 april 2025

Excellency,
María Jesús Montero,
First Vice President of the Spanish National Government,

Dear President of the Provincial Government of Seville,
Javier Fernández de los Ríos,
Dear Francisco Reyes,
President of FAMSI and of the Provincial Government of Jaén,
Dear Antonio Sanz,
Regional Minister of the Presidency of the Andalusian Regional Government,
Dear Vice Mayor (Teniente) of Seville,
José Luis García Martín,

Dear Mayors,
Esteemed colleagues,

Dear Mayor Jeroen Diepemaat (Mayor of Losser, The Netherlands), who is celebrating his birthday today,
Dear partners,

Dear friends,

 

It is a great honor to address you today at the opening

of the World Forum on Local Economic Development

on behalf of the International Executive Committee.

First,

I would like to express my gratitude to all the institutions that have worked on this event,

especially the Andalusian hosts,

the Spanish Government,

and all UCLG members,

particularly the Fund of Municipalities for International Solidarity.

 

Seville,

with its rich history and dynamic economy,

is the ideal setting for the important theme of this forum.

 

This Forum represents the power of collaboration between

local and regional governments,

national governments,

international institutions,

the private sector,

and civil society.

Together,

we have the potential to shape meaningful global change.

 

Just as we do in my city,

The Hague,

the City of Peace and Justice.

 

In The Hague we host a vibrant ecosystem of more than 500 organizations

and 20,000 people working on complex peace and justice challenges daily.

 

And, as a local government,

the City fosters this innovative ecosystem

by creating a favorable,

safe and welcoming climate for international organizations

working on solutions for the international justice crisis.

We combine the principles of doing good and doing business

in the ImpactCity programme.

The Hague cooperates with other governments,

institutions,

NGOs

and universities to strengthen this ecosystem and let it grow.

 

Since its start,

this Forum has been a key platform for rethinking economic development,

providing an alternative model focused on equity,

resilience, and sustainability.

Local and regional governments are leading these efforts, implementing strategies that prioritize well-being

over profit-driven growth.

Economic success should not be defined solely by GDP

but also by the well-being of our communities,

inclusivity,

and the environmental sustainability of our policies.

In a world facing challenges like climate change,

economic instability,

and social inequality,

this Forum shows that a localized,

people-centered approach is the way forward.

By fostering diverse,

adaptive,

and inclusive economic systems,

we are creating the foundation for a future

that is not just prosperous but also just and sustainable.

 

United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) is proud

to be a long-standing partner of this Forum.

I think I speak on behalf of all the partners when I say:

our partnership with this Forum is built on shared principles. The belief that local economies are the foundation of resilient societies and that localization and the empowerment of local actors is key to achieving global sustainability.

 

However,

to fully realize the potential of local and regional governments, we must address a crucial challenge:

access to financing.

The upcoming Financing for Development Conference is a critical milestone.

We hope that this Forum can help cities and territories access the financial markets needed for urban infrastructure development.

We need a global financial system that recognizes local governments as key economic players

and provides the fiscal tools to support development.

Innovative financing mechanisms,

such as municipal bonds,

blended finance,

and public-private partnerships,

will be vital in overcoming barriers to progress.

This Forum is an important platform for sharing these innovations from around the world.

 

Moreover, we need better financial monitoring and transparency to ensure funds are used efficiently and fairly.

Local governments need the resources to invest in infrastructure,

social services,

and climate resilience – all these are crucial elements for sustainable economic growth.

We call for a more inclusive financial system that empowers local governments to lead development in line with global sustainability goals.

Let us reaffirm our ambition to build an economic model that works for everyone,

driven by local leadership and sustainable development.

Our communities deserve an economy

that promotes well-being,

social justice,

and environmental protection.

 

Together,

through platforms like this Forum and our global commitments, we can create lasting change.

 

Thank you.