The Department of Canelones has unveiled its second Voluntary Local Review (VLR) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reaffirming its commitment to the 2030 Agenda and advancing a sustainable development agenda centered on the needs of its diverse population.
Canelones, which is divided into 30 municipalities, has developed public policies that respond to the specific needs of its residents. The municipality places a strong emphasis on addressing the most vulnerable sectors through a human rights and gender perspective. A critical part of this approach includes ensuring access to food as a fundamental right and promoting local production, entrepreneurship, and the circular economy.
The strategic vision for Canelones, articulated in the Futuros Canarios – Canelones 2040 plan integrates SDG-related initiatives into the municipality’s five-year budget. This second review builds on the first, published in 2023, using data from various projects aligned with the SDGs to measure progress and identify areas for improvement.
The VLR details several key initiatives, including:
- Food security (SDG 2): Canelones aims to ensure that food access is recognized as a right, prioritizing the development of local markets and supporting family-run agricultural initiatives to promote food sovereignty.
- Gender equality (SDG 5): Canelones is committed to empowering vulnerable groups and integrating gender perspectives into all policies.
- Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8): efforts focus on fostering local entrepreneurship and creating job opportunities to stimulate sustainable economic growth.
- Climate action (SDG 13): environmental policies are pivotal, emphasizing ecosystem preservation and sustainable waste management, with Canelones leading the nation in recycling efforts.
- Sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11): the department strategic planning includes measures that balance urban development with environmental sustainability.
The conclusions of the second report are as follows:
- The second voluntary review of the SDGs by the Department of Canelones reaffirms its commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the projection of departmental policies through 2040, aligned with the goals of the strategic lines of the plan .
- This report uses the first review as a baseline, reporting the same selected SDGs to facilitate monitoring for comparative and cumulative analysis.
- The methodology from the first review was maintained, allowing for better information breakdown across different areas and adjustments of data to the corresponding goals.
- The process has increased awareness of the SDGs among departmental cabinets and highlighted the significance of territorialization, thereby reinforcing the link between management and the 2030 Agenda.
- It has been observed that municipal and departmental powers are expanding, necessitating a higher degree of coordination to respond effectively to citizen demands.
As Canelones strives to enhance local governance and community involvement, the municipality recognizes the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration among its citizens. By ensuring that all residents can participate in shaping the policies that affect their lives, Canelones aims to create a sustainable future where no one is left behind.
Canelones is one of the 19 departments of the oriental republic of Uruguay. It is located in the south of the country and is the second most populated department after Montevideo.
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