The annual session of the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2018), convened under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), took place in New York, from 9-18 July 2018. The theme of HLPF 2018 was ‘Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies’. The three-day ministerial meeting of the Forum took place between 16-18 July, as part of ECOSOC’s high-level segment, after the five-day experts’ meeting (9-13 July).
HLPF 2018, third in a row after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, attracted a large number of participants, both in the official meetings and in the side events. The broad participation of representatives of UN member-states, parliaments, local authorities, international organisations, NGOs, academia, private sector and other multi-stakeholders, underscored the importance of Sustainable Development Goals’ social dimension worldwide. The EU was represented by Mr. Carmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and by Mr. Neven Mimica, Commissioner in charge of International Cooperation and Development.
During the first week of sessions, the Forum evaluated the progress achieved towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, both at regional and sub-regional level. The Forum also carried out specialized topic evaluations related to the main theme of 2018 “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”. Specialized topic evaluations were: “Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Resilient Societies” and “Advancing science, technology and innovation for SDGs”, as well as a more general topic discussion towards the successful implementation of the overarching goal of 2030 Agenda “Leave no one behind”.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reviewed in depth by HLPF 2018 were the following:
SDG 6 (ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all),
SDG 7 (ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all),
SDG 11 (make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable),
SDG 12 (ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns),
SDG 15 (protect, restore and promote terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss),
SDG 17 (strengthening the means of implementations and the global partnership for sustainable development).
UN system representatives, representatives of the competent authorities from member-states and other multi-stakeholders, during their meetings, focused on the successes of SDGs’ implementation, at national level as well as on the challenges that can be addressed at global level. There was an overall agreement upon the need for acceleration of efforts and for provision of the resources needed in order to implement the 2030 Agenda.
During the ministerial meeting, 47 UN member states, including Greece, carried out their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), presenting their policies and strategy towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. During the General Debate, the progress report on SDGs of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was presented, while 150 interventions delivered by representatives of diverse geographical groups, member-states and specialized international organisations.
For more detailed information and VNR videos please visit the HLPF website: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf/2018
For key messages from VNRs 2018 (ECOSOC document E/HLPF/2018/5), please visit the following link: http://undocs.org/E/HLPF/2018/5