November 14, 2022
The three Bolivian Cities of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, El Alto and Cochabamba have been awarded SDG Cities Silver Certificate during Urban October.
Urban October has been celebrated around the world through activities, events and discussions bringing together national and local governments, universities, NGOs and communities, around the theme of sustainable urbanization.
Bolivia national and local governments, universities and NGOs in partnerships with UN-Habitat Bolivia Office have organized numerous events and ceremonies revolving around urban planning, institutional capacities strengthening and financing urban development among others. These themes are all covered by SDG Cities Programme tracks.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, El Alto and Cochabamba have been awarded SDG Cities Silver Certification, recognizing cities commitment to meet the SDGs. The three cities have reviewed their sources of SDG data and plans against, undertaken a long listing exercise to identify their priorities, and assembled a dedicated SDG Cities Task Force to carry out the process of implementing the SDGs locally.
In the footsteps of La Paz, executive and legislative capital of Bolivia, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, El Alto and Cochabamba have demonstrated their dedication to improving the quality of life of their people through the implementation of the SDGs. Carrying out targeted actions in that regard in the country’s four largest cities will have an impact on the lives of around 4 million people.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra has already “taken a significant step forward in its commitment to the SDGs by formulating its first Voluntary Local Review” declared María Andrea Daza Justiniano, Municipal Secretary for Planning for Development of Santa Cruz de la Sierra Autonomous Government on October 4th, receiving the Silver Certificate.
Cochabamba, fourth largest city of Bolivia, received its Silver Certificate on October 19th, during the presentation event of the Voluntary Local Review of the city.
El Alto, second largest city of Bolivia, received its Silver Certificate on October 20th, joining its neighbour La Paz, first city to be awarded the SDG Cities Silver Certificate in May 2022.