Internationale SDG-conferentie ‘Global Goals, Local Action’
International SDG Conference “Global Goals, Local Action”
The Agenda 2030 deadline is approaching. The challenges are great, but the decisiveness of local governments is even greater.
On Tuesday 30 September 2025, we invite you to the Lamot Convention Centre in Mechelen for an international conference on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You will discover how cities and municipalities worldwide are working on sustainable solutions and international solidarity. You will meet colleagues, share ideas and collaborate on initiatives that make a real difference.
Get inspired and make a difference
What can you expect?
- A powerful keynote by meaning economist Kees Klomp on the need for more meaning and moral leadership in policy and entrepreneurship
- A panel discussion with domestic and foreign mayors, companies and international voices on how we can and should accelerate locally towards 2030
- The launch of the renewed SDG commitment statement, in which local governments make their commitment concrete
- Eight inspiring sessions on topics including municipal international cooperation, sustainable policy planning and global challenges such as migration, climate and digitalisation
- A networking reception to exchange ideas and forge new alliances
The conference is multilingual: Dutch, English, French and Spanish.
For whom
This conference is for:
- elected officials and employees of Flemish local governments;
- foreign local authorities with which Flemish municipalities cooperate;
- partners of VVSG around international cooperation and local SDG policies;
- national and international umbrella organisations of local governments;
- representatives of the provincial, Flemish, federal and European governments and international organisations;
- civil society representatives ('sustainable heroes') from Flemish municipalities participating in the Sustainable Municipality Week.
Programme
| 09u00 | Welcome with coffee |
| 09u30 | Plenary opening Welcome speech, keynote by Kees Klomp and panel discussion |
| 10u45 | Break |
| 11u15 | In-depth sessions – Round 1 |
| 12u45 | Lunch |
| 13u30 | Pressevent |
| 14u00 | In-depth sessions – Round 2 |
| 15u30 | Plenary closing |
| 16u30 | Networking reception with performance |
| 17u30 | Dinner and dance party |
Sessions
Plenary opening
Entrepreneur and author Kees Klomp is an enthusiastic advocate of the 'meaning economy' and socially meaningful business. In his talk, he explains how the current economy is based on profit maximisation at the expense of people and nature, thus contributing to social and ecological crises. The meaning economy offers an alternative where value creation revolves around meaning, well-being and connectedness. According to Klomp, the key lies in a moral reorientation of entrepreneurship and policy: not the question "what does it yield?" but "what does it contribute?" is central.
Four panellists then clarify how local governments can make this meaningful, sustainable and inclusive image of society a reality. How can cities and municipalities use local levers such as procurement, spatial planning, citizen participation and municipal international cooperation to this end? What global trends do they see, how to respond to them locally, and what collaborations are needed to support systemic change? With insights from Aziza Akhmouch - head of Urban Policy and Sustainable Development at the OECD -, Inti Yumbay - the young and inspiring mayor of the Ecuadorian city of Guaranda - Wannes Van den Branden, energy expert, co-founder and manager of bureau VDB Engineering and other representatives from local governments (TBC).
In-depth sessions – Round 1
11u15 - 12u45
During this session, we will show how town twinning makes real impact. In the first part panellists will share their experiences with decentralised development cooperation projects, successes and challenges. Afterwards, we take a look at other forms of international cooperation and there is room for ideas for the future.
Speakers Panel – First Part
• Jean Bossuyt, ECPDM (European Centre for Development Policy Management), associate – inclusive governance and accountability
• Ivana Skazlic, CEMR, research analyst
• Neila Akrimi Kemperman, VNG, Head of Strategy and Networks at VNG International
• Speaker TBC
Speakers – Second Part
• Lieve Daeren, Province of East Flanders, Policy Officer for Local Global Policy
• Hanne Wauters, City of Hasselt, Expert in Welfare & Society • Sabine De Meulder, City of Antwerp, Officer for International Solidarity
• APLA, Association of Palestinian Local Authorities
• Brigitte Becu & Jean Pierre Faye, coordinators of the Deinze-Lievegem/Kemopodi city partnership
• Peter Vanslambrouck, City of Ostend, city partnership coordinator
Available languages: NL, EN, FR, ES
To make work of the SDGs in your municipality, employees and citizens need to know about the 17 goals and how they themselves can contribute to them. From innovative communication and playful challenges to broad public campaigns and local ambassadors, local governments from Flanders, Germany, Latvia and Senegal (TBC) talk about how they are successfully working to make the SDGs known and tangible.
- Heleen Voeten, VVSG, expert local translation SDGs and coordinator Sustainable Municipality Week
- Mudite Juhna, General Director of the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments (LPS)’
- Yves De Bosscher, program director sustainable development, City of Harelbeke’
- Other speakers: TBC
Available languages: NL, EN, FR, ES
How do we build cities and towns where all people feel at home, regardless of origin, background or personal situation? The 2 expert talks focus on inclusion and migration as crucial themes for people-centred local policies.
- With a strong focus on inclusion, equal opportunities, participation, and social justice, more and more local governments are taking steps toward human-centred policymaking. In this session, you will discover how cities can become
- true pioneers in inclusion through collaboration and thoughtful policy choices.What does it take to harness migration as an engine for equality and resilience? In this session, we explore how cities are using inclusive policy frameworks and partnerships to sustainably embed migration.
Speakers:
- Speaker migration TBC
Available languages: EN, FR, ES
How do we ensure that cities are not only liveable, but also economically resilient and future-proof? From technological innovation to smart finance, 2 expert talks show how cities enable sustainable growth.
- Prof Samah El-Khateeb (Egypt), takes you through an inspiring story on how smart technology and artificial intelligence can make our cities greener, more resilient and people-centred. With examples from her international work, she shows how we can turn urbanisation and climate challenges into opportunities for a better future.
- What does it take to make sustainable urban development truly possible? In this expert talk, we will explore how local governments can use smart financing strategies and strong partnerships to realise their sustainable ambitions.
Speakers:
- Dr Samah El Khateeb, Ain Shams University (Egypt), professor of Smart and Sustainable Urbanisation
- Speaker urban development TBC
Available languages: EN, FR
In-depth sessions – Round 2
14u00 - 15u30
During this session, we will reflect together on the future of European twinning. What does exchange and cooperation between local governments look like in a changing world? And how do you involve young people and citizens? We will also take a closer look at partnerships with Ukrainian municipalities - from motivation to organisation and funding - and be inspired by the story of Mechelen and Lviv.
Speakers:
- Kris Versaen, VVSG, expert Municipalities in Europe
- Andrij Ivanovich Sadovy, mayor of the Ukrainian city of Lviv (TBC)
- Patrick Princen, city of Mechelen, alderman for global
Available languages: NL, EN
Besides 17 separate goals, the SDGs are also a tool to make all local policies more sustainable. You use them as a moral compass to consider people, environment and prosperity as well as democracy and international justice in every decision. Local governments from Flanders, Spain, Palestine and Bénin (TBC) tell how they use the SDG framework when working out projects, setting priorities or monitoring their own progress towards a sustainable 2030.
Speakers:
- Heleen Voeten, VVSG, expert local translation SDGs and coordinator Sustainable Municipality Week
- Other speakers TBC
Available languages: NL, EN, FR, ES
How do we build peace and global solidarity without leaving anyone behind? These 2 expert talks show how local governments are working towards sustainable change through reciprocal, multi-stakeholder partnerships. From global citizenship to co-creation: real impact comes from equal collaboration.
- What does international solidarity still mean in a world in change? Sara Kinsbergen takes you through the changing landscape of development cooperation in Europe. She identifies sharp challenges - from declining budgets to vanishing global citizenship - but also shows why action is desperately needed today. With examples from the Netherlands and reflections on Belgium, she argues for strong local policies with guts. Be stimulated and empowered by her clear argument.
- How do you ensure that local communities have a real say in shaping their future? Enabel (speaker TBC) shows how co-creation works as a lever for sustainable change, based on experiences in the Global South.
Speakers:
- Prof Dr Sara Kinsbergen - Radboud University - Political scientist and expert on international cooperation
- Other speakers TBC
Available languages: NL, FR
Through 2 expert talks, we look at how we can build cities and towns that can withstand the climate crisis while ensuring a liveable future for all.
- Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr transformed Freetown into a resilient and inclusive city through her #TransformFreetown initiative. She planted more than 1 million trees, appointed Africa's first Chief Heat Officer and anchored climate policies locally. A sought-after speaker at UN climate summits and TEDx, among others, she combines sustainability with social justice. Be inspired by her powerful vision for the city of tomorrow.
- How do we build cities that are socially just, ecologically sustainable and technologically smart? Aziza Akhmouch brings a refreshing international perspective on the city of tomorrow. With sharp insights from her work at the OECD and her TEDxTalk 'my 3 solutions for the city of tomorrow', she will inspire you to take local sustainable development to the next level. Don't miss this session if you are looking for future-oriented solutions that really work.
Speakers:
- Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr - Mayor of Freetown (Sierra Leone)
- Aziza Akhmouch - OECD - Head of Cities, Urban Policy and Sustainable Development
Available languages: EN, FR, ES
Plenary closing session
15u30 -16u30
Closing words by Bart Somers and reflections on the day by SDG ambassador Christophe Deborsu.
Practical information
Where and when
- Tuesday 30 September 2025 from 9 am to 4.30 pm, followed by an optional reception, dinner followed by a party.
- Lamot(opent nieuw venster): Van Beethovenstraat 8/10, 2800 Mechelen
Accessibility
Lamot is easily accessible(opent nieuw venster) by car (Tip: use 'Waze' as navigation), yet we would encourage participants to use public transport (10-minute walk from Mechelen station).
Accessed
The venue is wheelchair accessible. Do you have any other specific needs or wishes we should consider? We'd love to hear from you!
Dietary requirements
The catering offer is at least 70% vegetarian. If you have other dietary requirements, please indicate this in the registration form under comments at the very end of the registration.
Price
Participation is free, but registration is compulsory. Can't attend anyway? Notify us in time. If you do not notify us and stay away without a valid reason, we will charge 30 euros.
Cancel
Cancellation is possible up to 5 working days before the training start date. After that, we charge 30 euros. Are you unexpectedly unable to attend or is it too late to cancel? No problem! Get replaced by a colleague and notify us via our contact form.
Contact
Partners
This conference is a collaboration between VVSG and the City of Mechelen, with the support of the Flemish government, the federal government and PLATFORMA.
