7th International Forum on
the "FutureCity” Initiative

SDGs Invigorating Localities
in Japan and Overseas
October 4, 2017

Kazuhiko Takemoto
Director of UNU-IAS
Executive Secretary of SDSN Japan

SDGs for Cities
Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe,resilient and sustainable• Goals focusing on issues related to cities such as settlements, transportation,disasters, environment, culture and natural heritage in a cross-sectoral
manner (Evolved greatly from the MDGs)• Many other goals are linked to SDG 11 (Examples: health and well-being(Goal 3), education (Goal 4), gender (Goal 5), water and sanitation (Goal 6),employment (Goal 8), etc.)• Encourage all stakeholders engaged in urban activities― Cities provide a platform for the partnership among
Government, citizens and local industries.

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International Initiatives (1)The New Urban Agenda• Adopted at the Third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable
Urban Development (HABITAT III) (Quito, Ecuador; October 2016)• This is an international initiative to provide policies and measures towardsustainable cities. Guidelines for the comprehensive implementation andlocalization of the SDGs, including SDG11.
• Aiming for sustainable cities and communities through international, regional,
national and local partnerships.
• Emphasized responsibilities and roles of local governments (= cities).

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International Initiatives (2)Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)• A new global network of stakeholders including research institutions,universities, companies, civil society organizations.
• Established in response to a proposal by the United Nations Secretary-Generalin 2012.
• It aims to promote practical solutions for sustainable development throughcollaboration between stakeholders.
• Hubs for SDSN activities have been developed in countries and regions acrossthe globe.
Regional SDSNs in Asia

National SDSNs in Asia

• Southeast Asia (Jakarta)• South Asia (New Delhi and Dhaka)• Australia/Pacific Island countries(Melbourne)• Japan• South Korea• Indonesia• Malaysia• Philippines• Singapore* The city name is the location of the Secretariat

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SDSN Japan Launched in July 2015
(ISAP2015, Yokohama)Objectives of SDSN Japan
1. To achieve a sustainable society through effective implementation of theSDGs;
2. To develop platforms for engagement of multi-stakeholders;
3. To contribute to global discussions on sustainability issues in close
collaboration with relevant organizations and networks.

5Initiatives of SDSN targeting cities
1. In July 2016 "Getting Started with the SDGs in Cities” wasannounced. It provides guidance for the cities to adapt the global
goals to each city for achieving the SDGs.
Step 1: Initiate an inclusive and participatory process
Step 2: Local agenda setting
Step 3: Action plan for implementation

Step 4: Monitor and evaluate performance

2. US Cities SDG Index (August 2017)• This evaluates and ranks initiatives for achieving the SDGs of
the major cities in the United States (100 cities).
• It presents evaluations of the status of the initiatives for eachcity, and is utilized to help developing a roadmap for addressing
challenges toward 2030.

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Initiatives in Japan
SDGs Promotion Headquarters (established May 2016)• Chaired by the Prime Minister, and consisting of all
Cabinet members.
• Developing a government-wide framework toaddress implement agenda for achieving SDGs.
• It mobilizes domestic and foreign initiatives acrossgovernment ministries and agencies and identifies
priority issues.

G7 Summit Process• In the G7 Toyama Environment Ministers' Meeting(May 2016), the Parallel Session on "The Role ofCities" was held. This session was co-chaired by
Mayor Mori and Prof. Hamanaka and attended by
Prof. Murakami.

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SDGs Implementation Guiding Principles(December 22, 2016)
1. Vision
Become a leader toward a future where economic, social andenvironmental improvements are attained in an integrated, sustainable
and resilient manner while leaving no one behind.

2. Partnership
The Government of Japan will foster a participatory approach in which all
stakeholders play a role in our efforts to build a sustainable society.

3. Roles of Local Governments
Local governments and other local stakeholders are absolutely essential to
the nationwide implementation of SDGs-related measures. The nationalgovernment will therefore encourage local governments to incorporate theSDGs into their strategies and policies as much as possible. Government
ministries will support the efforts of local governments through measures topromote partnership among various stakeholders in achieving the SDGs.
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Concept of FutureCity
Realization of a "city where everyone wants to live" and a "city where
everyone has vitality" by continuously creating the three values ofenvironmental value, social value, and economic value
Cities that create new human-centered value toward
responding to the environmental issues, super-aging.
Creation of environmental value

FutureCity has sharedsimilar concept of SDGs,
which call for integrating
the three aspects of theenvironment, society, andthe economy to realize asociety leaving no-one
behindLow carbon and energy saving

Water and air

Natural environment and biodiversity
3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), etc.

Creation of social value

Creation of economic value

Health and medical
Long-term care andcare
welfareDisaster risk Child-rearing, education, etc.
reduction

Creation of employment
Tourismand income
Industry-academia-government
Newcollaboration, etc.
industries

Education

Medical careand longterm care

Environment

EnergyInformation andcommunications
technology

Responding to super-aging

Mobility

Houses andbuildings

Other9Expectation for Cities or Local Governments
for Achieving SDGs
1. Cities are the administrative organizations closest to thecitizens. They produce realistic and highly effective policies
taking into account local circumstances such as the history,culture, society and economy, and have the capacity andresponsibility to implement policies.
→ Enhancing the quality of life of residents

2. Their position stands between the Governmental Ministries
and local communities including industries and citizens, andtherefore, they can enhance partnership between stakeholders
in implementing measures toward achieving SDGs.
→ Leaders for local vitalization
3. Initiatives and experience in advanced cities (pioneers) will beshared with local governments in Japan and overseas throughSDGs as a “common language”.
→ Leaders for international cooperation

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Cities’ initiatives will contribute to the global
sustainability through SDGs as a “common language”!

SDGs
FutureCity(Provisional name)

FutureCity

Environmental
model city
Promotion Council for the“FutureCity” Initiative

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This session aims to:Share advanced initiatives of cities (local governments)
in Japan and overseas for achieving the SDGs, andfurther discuss the following points:
1. What are the challenges in implementing 2030
Agenda toward achieving the SDGs at city level;
2. Possible solutions to address these challenges; and3. Lessons learned from experiences toward
invigorating localities.
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