In preparation for the 2018 HLPF, the Division for Sustainable Development Goals of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DSDG-DESA) organized an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on SDG 15 and its role in advancing sustainable development through implementation of the 2030 Agenda, in partnership with FAO, the UN Forum on Forests, UNCCD, CBD, RAMSAR, CITES, UNDP, UNEP and others, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The EGM, which was by invitation only, included a diverse array of more than 60 experts from think tanks, academia, NGOs, Governments, the UN system and other international organizations, representing all regions of the world. The group took stock of progress towards SDG 15; discussed the economic, social and environmental challenges to implementation; and presented numerous examples of good practices at the international, regional and national levels. The meeting’s detailed and in-depth discussions produced a set of key messages on the way forward in terms of policies, partnerships and coordinated actions at all levels, which will be used to inform the HLPF in July, and help drive collaboration and programmes of work going forward from 2018.