Event information

8 June 2023, 13:15-14:15

Localizing SDGs and human rights through the UN Universal Periodic Review

Event

Every day, local and regional governments (LRGs) localize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fulfil human rights on the ground. In doing so, LRGs should gain more visibility at the international level and showcase their important work. Cities are more numerous to submit Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) to demonstrate how they implement the SDGs.

In a complementary way to VLRs, LRGs could also gain increased international visibility for their work on SDGs through the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR). While the UPR is focused on human rights, it also addresses SDGs. Indeed, human rights and SDGs are closely interlinked. As such, LRGs’ participation in the UPR could help showcase their achievements on SDGs and human rights.

This side event at the UN Habitat Assembly in Nairobi – co-organized by our Geneva Human Rights Platform, the Geneva Cities Hub, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, UN Habitat, UPR Info and the UN Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights
– will: 

  • Introduce the UPR as a mechanism that addresses issues of concern to LRGs and that helps LRGs localize the SDGs
  • Share a Mannheim and Nakuru’s experience on their Voluntary Local Reviews and describe how this could be used in the UPR process
  • Explain how LRGs can take part in the UPR and contribute to the implementation of the UPR recommendations, in cooperation with States and UN entities
  • Address the benefits that exist for States, if they include LRGs in the UPR
  • Showcase the work of UN Habitat on linking the localization of SDGs with human rights.

Moderator

  • Anh Thu Duong, Co-Director, Geneva Cities Hub

Panelists

  • Peter Kurz, Mayor, City of Mannheim, Germany
  • Gitau Thabanja, City Manager, Nakuru City, Kenya
  • Robert Lewis-Lettington, Chief of Section, Land, Housing and Shelter, UN Habitat

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Mô Bleeker News

UNSG Special Adviser Mô Bleeker Becomes Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy

15 April 2025

Mô Bleeker, UNSG Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, shares how her work as Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy contributes to our shared goals.

Read more

2024 Geneva Academy Annual Report News

Our 2024 Annual Report

28 July 2025

Our 2024 Annual Report highlights significant achievements in international humanitarian law education and research during a year marked by deepening global humanitarian crises.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

George Floyd protest in Washington D.C. Project

Promoting and Protecting the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association and Civic Space Worldwide

Started in June 2020

This project aims at providing support to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association Clément Voulé by addressing emerging issues affecting civic space and eveloping tools and materials allowing various stakeholders to promote and defend civic space.

Read more

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more