Equality. Peace. Security. Climate Change. Education. Economic Growth.
Whether we realize it or not, these issues have a profound impact on us all. We, as a global society, must work together to resolve these issues to ensure present and future generations have the opportunity to thrive.
In 2015, 193 UN Member States came together at a historic Summit to adopt the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Goals. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which build on the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), aims to provide a set of common standards and achievable targets to advance human rights, sustainable development, peace and security by 2030. The 17 SDGs contain 169 targets and 231 indicators for monitoring the implementation of the agenda.
What is the UN High-level Political Forum?
Under the guidance of the UN Economic and Social Council, the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development is the primary inter-governmental mechanism for monitoring the progress of Goals and targets of Agenda 2030. It seeks to provide leadership, guidance and recommendations of the sustainable development commitments as well as address new and emerging challenges. It is comprised of thematic reviews of SDG implementation at the global level and Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of progress to be conducted by 47 countries. The 2019 Forum will conclude with an adapted Ministerial Declaration.
The High-Level Political Forum meets on an annual basis under the direction of the Economic and Social Council. It also meets every four years at the level of Heads of State and government under the auspices of the General Assembly.
During each annual session, Member States consider different SDGs alongside Goal 17, and their linkages, to facilitate an in-depth review of progress towards the SDGs. This year’s theme is “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality,” and it will review the following six SDGs in-depth:
- Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
- Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
- Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
- Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
- Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
- Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
What informs the HLPF?
The 2019 High-Level Political Forum will be informed by a variety of reports and publications:
- SDG Progress Report: Produced by the Secretary-General to review progress on selected SDGs. Every four years, a “Special Edition” is produced to review all SDGs.
- Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR): On a quadrennial basis, an independent expert group of scientists produce a report to strengthen the science-policy interface and provide a strong evidence-based instrument for reviewing SDG progress.
- Sustainable Outlook Report: Promotes greater understanding of the shifting landscape and key challenges confronting sustainable development challenges.
What is the expected outcome of the HLPF?
HLPF concludes with the adoption of a Ministerial Declaration reaffirming Member States’ commitment to the 2030 Agenda and achieving the SDGs. This year, one Political Declaration will summarize the results of the July and September sessions, which is facilitated by the Bahamas and Sweden.
How does the Network support the SDG’s?
SDG 5 – Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Inclusivity is incorporated into all projects of the Network, as equality is a human right. Women and youth positively contribute to society and we must ensure they are equally represented at all levls. It is proven that the empowerment of women and goals helps economic growth and development. We are proud to host an inclusivity working group which brings together entities to share best practices to further advance inclusive peacebuilding.
SDG 16 – Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
The success of these Goals heavily rely on the world’s ability to recognize the roles and responsibilities of local and subnational actors. We are committed to closely work with various religious and traditional actors to support and advocate for their inclusion in peacebuilding process. Through empowering these actors, we contribute to the establishment resilient and effective institutions to meet the basics needs of citizens and ensure that no one is left behind.
SDG17 – to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Our focus to connect various entities and local actors reinforces the concept of global partnerships. The Network is built upon over 50 global members and partners. We aim to connect these members with opportunities for consortium building, knowledge-sharing and capacity building amongst themselves and local actors. Over the past four-years we have learned from the HLPF sessions that the success of prudent policy formulation and its implementation, at the regional, national, and local levels, depends on “a whole of society approach”, that incites a sense of shared responsibility.
One government alone cannot solve the complex and highly interconnected challenges in our world, such as inequality, climate change and poverty. We need everyone to work together towards a sustainable future. At the same time, these challenges cannot be solved with the tools of the past, and we need innovative leadership and partnerships at all levels of society to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
We recognize and reinforce the value in which partnerships hold to develop sustainable peace. The Network is proud to align our activity with the Sustainable Development Goals.
11 July 2019