The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development last year marked a watershed year for sustainable development. Its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets are expected to stimulate action over the upcoming years in areas of critical importance for people and the planet. The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), meeting under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly, is the UN¡¯s central platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
The Forum, which adopts a Ministerial Declaration, is expected to provide political leadership, guidance and recommendations on the 2030 Agenda¡¯s implementation and follow-up; keep track of progress of the SDGs; spur coherent policies informed by evidence, science and country experiences; as well as address new and emerging issues.
What will happen during HLPF in 2016?
HLPF in 2016 will run from 11 to 20 July in New York, and will kick off with an overall assessment of progress of the new Agenda, guided by the first ever report by the Secretary-General on the progress of the SDGs. The first five days of HLPF will review progress of the SDGs with a particular focus on ¡°Ensuring that no one is left behind¡±, which is both the theme of HLPF in 2016 as well a central pledge of the 2030 Agenda.
Sessions during the five days will focus on issues related to all the SDGs; poverty eradication, economic growth, food security and sustainable agriculture, climate action, peaceful and more inclusive societies, among other issues, as well how to create ownership at the national level, mainstreaming SDGs into national policies and strategies, and challenges faced in mobilizing means of implementation.
Nations to present work done so far
The ministerial days of HLPF, which is in the second week (18-20 July), will include, for the first time, national voluntary reviews from Member States. In 2016, 22 countries have volunteered to conduct national reviews of their implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Since the implementation of the 2030 Agenda only started on 1 January 2016, countries are not expected to already be able to report on the review of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs, but rather; they might choose to focus on strategies and policies that are being put in place to facilitate implementation.
The Secretariat of HLPF, UN DESA¡¯s Division for Sustainable Development, has developed an online platform dedicated to compiling voluntary inputs from countries participating in the national voluntary reviews, as well other voluntary governmental inputs. The platform also includes inputs from ECOSOC functional commissions and other intergovernmental bodies and forums, inputs from major groups and other stakeholders, as well contributions from multi-stakeholder partnerships and voluntary commitments in their support of the SDGs.
In the margins of the HLPF
HLPF will also include a range of side events, the first ever Partnership Exchange special event for reviewing contributions from multi-stakeholder partnerships in supporting the SDGs, a one day SDG Business Forum where the private sector has been invited to share its support for the new 2030 Agenda, and a NOVUS Summit which aims to unite the science, technology and innovation community around the world.
During the HLPF, a range of SDGs Learning, Training and Practice sessions will also be held, which will provide a capacity building, networking and experience-sharing event, with high-level speakers and experts on crucial topics related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
Participation at the forum
HLPF is an inclusive and participatory forum at the 51³Ô¹Ï, bringing all Member States of the 51³Ô¹Ï and members of specialized agencies together. It is open to participation from civil society through the major groups and other stakeholders.
To stay updated on the event via social media, follow the hashtag #HLPF2016. A new app has also been launched to help participants and others who are interested in the event, stay updated what¡¯s happening at the HLPF. The app ¡°HLPF¡± can be downloaded via the App Store or via Google Play.