NEW YORK: The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) kicked off on Monday in New York.
The two-week HLPF is the central United Nations platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the global level. It is the apex of the architecture for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda established by the 2030 Agenda and General Assembly resolution 70/299.
Speaking at the opening session of the forum, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said, “I believe this is also a moment of great opportunity to turn things around. Last year’s SDG Summit generated new momentum and a commitment to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.”
She also called for transformative action and bold policies to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future.
“Poverty remains the defining challenge of our time. Food insecurity has reached alarmingly high levels. Humanitarian crises and displacement are growing, f
ueled by rising levels of conflict. Women and girls continue to face discrimination and disadvantage. The impacts of climate change are intensifying, and action and financing for mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage are not keeping pace,” the Deputy Secretary-General warned.
Also addressing the forum, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Paula Narváez highlighted the challenges faced by developing countries, particularly conflict-affected areas, stressing the need for peace and stability.
She emphasised that the agenda includes local and regional actions, insights from regional forums, key intergovernmental discussions and 37 countries presenting their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). The forum’s general debate will bridge last year’s SDG Summit to this September’s Summit of the Future.
“It will be a space to present transformative actions and initiatives related to monitoring the Summit on SDGs in 2023, while also sharing priorities and expectations” for the upcoming summit, Narvá
ez added.
She also stressed the importance of inclusive participation, particularly of youth and marginalised groups, and the cross-cutting nature of gender perspective for achieving sustainable development.
The 2024 HLPF will draw from the experience of the 37 countries conducting VNRs. It will also hear from other countries and participants about experiences, best practices and lessons learned in implementing the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs.
Source: Emirates News Agency
