The objective of this own-initiative opinion is to contribute to the United Nations' efforts to develop and localise a new transformative post-2015 agenda. Mayor Janssen endorses the view that this presents a unique opportunity to renew and strengthen cooperation within the international community that the agenda should be rights-based with strong links to good governance, democracy and the rule of law. Looking to the main priorities, the rapporteur suggests that efforts should be stepped up to reduce inequality both within and between countries. Moreover, these differences may justify specific indicators, approaches or targets which will need to be discussed between national governments and local and regional authorities. Mayor Janssen also underlines that local and regional authorities regularly weigh up policy issues and take political decisions in addition to implementing them. Turning to their involvement in the city sustainability goals, the opinion stresses local and regional competences and adds that cities are also drivers of growth, increasing the potential for domestic resources and contributing to the financial basis for achieving other goals.

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