A United Nations (UN) body has commended the Philippines for recently organizing a forum with the UN, saying it was a clear signal that the Philippines recognizes the sustainable development goals (SGDs) it had set.

UN Governance and Public Administration Expert Ana Thorlund said this during the Philippine Mayors Forum in Quezon City on Friday, Oct. 27.

In her remarks, Thorlund lauded the Marcos administration, particularly the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), for pushing for progress, modernization, and realizing the UN's SDGs.

"This Mayors Forum is a clear signal that the Philippines recognized the road to sustainable development goals through the cities and towns of this country, many islands," she said.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Gustavo González shared the same sentiment and noted that most of the SDGs have direct relevance to cities and municipalities.

"I would like to commend the leadership of the Department of Interior and Local Government, definitely to bringing the realities of the development to the eyes of the United Nations," she said.

The SDGs aim to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice, and prosperity.

According to González, the Philippines should make the most of the UN as he renewed the body's commitment to support the work of the government.

He also reaffirmed the UN's commitment to support local governance and decentralization, which is now clearly reflected in the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks from 2024 to 2028.

The Philippine Mayors Forum aimed to highlight the vital role of the LGUs in attaining the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

It is designed to empower LGUs as allies of the government while also emphasizing their critical contribution to the implementation of SDGs.