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High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development

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High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF)

  • The HLPF is the central UN platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • The HLPF was established at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012 in its outcome “The Future We Want”. 
  • It replaced the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).
  • The Office for Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs serves as the Secretariat of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)

  • The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was established by the UN General Assembly in December 1992 to ensure effective follow-up of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit. 
  • It was a high-level functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) that operated from 1992 until it was replaced in 2013 by the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
  • HLPF was established by the Rio+20 Conference in 2012

Meetings & Structure

  • Annually under ECOSOC: For 8 days (including a 3-day ministerial segment).
  • Every 4 years under UNGA: At the level of Heads of State and Government, known as the SDG Summit.
    • The first SDG Summit was convened in September 2019. 
    • The second SDG Summit was held in September 2023 and adopted the 2023 Political Declaration .
    • The next SDG Summit will be held in September 2027.
  • The General Assembly in resolution 67/290 decided that all meetings of the Forum shall provide for the full and effective participation of all States Members of the United Nations and States members of specialized agencies. 

Functions

  • Conducts regular in-depth reviews of progress on SDGs.
  • Includes Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), where countries present national progress reports.
  • Brings together governments, UN entities, academics, civil society, and stakeholders.
  • Adopts negotiated ministerial declarations (under ECOSOC) and political declarations (under UNGA).

Key Responsibilities

  • Reviewing Global Progress: The HLPF monitors and assesses progress toward achieving the SDGs, helping countries to share their experiences, challenges, and successes.
  • Promoting Accountability: It ensures accountability by providing a space for countries to report on their national implementation of the 2030 Agenda through Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs).
  • Fostering International Cooperation: The Forum promotes dialogue and collaboration between governments, the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders to address global challenges related to sustainable development.
  • Guiding Policy: The HLPF plays a key role in shaping global policies on sustainable development by adopting intergovernmentally negotiated political declarations and recommendations.
  • Supporting the Implementation of SDGs: It encourages partnerships and provides guidance to align national and global efforts with the SDGs, addressing both emerging and ongoing challenges.

Voluntary National Reviews

  • The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development encourages member states to conduct regular and inclusive reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels, which are country-led and country-driven. 
  • These Voluntary National Reviews, or VNRs, are presented at the HLPF meeting annually in July in New York.
  • VNRs are voluntary, state-led, undertaken by both developed and developing countries, and involve multiple stakeholders. 
  • VNRs facilitate sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. 
  • They also seek to strengthen policies and institutions of governments, and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for the implementation of the SDGs.

FAQs 

1. What is the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF)?

The HLPF is the central platform of the UN to monitor, review, and guide global implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the 2030 Agenda.

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