Click here to access the Information Note for Participants (last update on 21 June).

Details on the registration of official delegations of member states, observers and intergovernmental organizations, as well as specialized agencies, related organizations, and UN system entities can be found in paragraph 6 of the Information Note.

Important Deadlines:

Deadline for registration of official delegations of member states, observers and intergovernmental organizations, as well as specialized agencies and related organizations is Friday, 21 June 2019 for 9-15 July 2019 and on Friday, 28 June 2019 for 16-18 July 2019

Deadline for registration of delegations of UN system entities is Monday, 1 July 2019.

The deadline for registration of organizations in ECOSOC Consultative Status, organizations on the CSD Roster and organizations registering through one of the Major Groups and other Stakeholders’ umbrella organizations has passed.

Did you know that…

• … that 98% of carbon emissions at HLPF 2019 will be from air travel.
• … that over 3.5 million kilograms of carbon will be emitted at HLPF 2019 from air travel alone. This is equivalent to 13,805,650 kilometers driven by an average passenger vehicle or the consumption of 8,103 barrels of oil.
• … that each HLPF participant will emit on average 1,246 kilograms of carbon from air travel alone?
• … if each participant flying in at HLPF 2019 would donate $5 to a certified carbon-offsetting project, we could make all air travel to the HLPF carbon-neutral.

Make your participation in the HLPF carbon-neutral!! Select the project you want to support by visiting https://offset.climateneutralnow.org/

Effective 3 June 2019, United Nations Headquarters is implementing measures to eliminate single-use plastics to reduce the impact of plastic pollution. Event organizers are encouraged to bring reusable items in order to reduce waste. Please ensure that vendors providing catering services at United Nations Headquarters adhere to the requirements outlined in the Guidelines for Event Organizers at United Nations Headquarters on the Elimination of Single-use Plastics which can be accessed here

• Decision on the theme of the 2019 session of the Economic and Social Council

• The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2019
• 2019 Financing for Sustainable Development Report
• World Youth Report on “Youth and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”
• Report of the SG on the long term impact of current trends in the economic, social and environmental areas on the realization of the SDGs
• Report of the SG on Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality
• Report of the SG on the progress towards the SDGs (Special Edition)
• Progress report on the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns
• E/HLPF/2019/5 - Compilation of main messages for the 2019 voluntary national reviews
• Note by the Secretariat on the discussion papers on the theme of the high-level political forum on sustainable development, submitted by the Major Groups and other Stakeholders
• Note by the Secretariat on the Synthesis of voluntary submissions by functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council and other intergovernmental bodies and forums
• Note by the Secretariat on reports of the regional forums
• Note by the Secretariat on reports of the regional forums (ECE)
• Note by the Secretariat on reports of the regional forums (ESCAP)
• Note by the Secretariat on reports of the regional forums (ESCWA)
• Note by the Secretariat on reports of the regional forums (ECA)
• Note by the Secretariat on reports of the regional forums (ECLAC)
• Summary of the 2019 ECOSOC Partnership Forum “Partnerships Driving Inclusive Implementation of the SDGs”
• Co-Chairs’ Summary of the STI Forum
• Summary of 2019 Economic and Social Council Youth Forum
• Discussions held during the twenty-second session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development on the theme of the 2019 session of the Economic and Social Council, “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”
• World Public Sector Report 2019

• Letter of the President of the General Assembly appointing co-facilitators for HLPF 2019 political declaration
• Letter of the President of ECOSOC to intergovernmental bodies and forums for inputs to HLPF 2019

• Remarks of the President of ECOSOC in the Joint Briefing with the President of the General Assembly, 31 January 2019, New York
• Opening remarks of Mr. Elliott Harris, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Chief Economist of UN DESA in the High-level Meeting on Sustainable Development cooperation in middle-income countries

A series of VNR Labs will be convened on the margins of the 2019 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) under the auspices of ECOSOC, to provide an informal platform for experience sharing and reflection on the Voluntary National Review (VNR) process. The Labs will be held under the Chatham House rule and will be open to Member States, the UN system and representatives of Major Groups and other Stakeholders.

• Flyer
• Annotated agenda

Week 9 – 12 July

• VNR Lab 1 “Achieving policy integration” – 9 July, 1.15 – 2.45 pm
• VNR Lab 2 “Making progress visible - SDG data visualization platform” – 10 July, 8-9 am
• VNR Lab 3 “Leaving no one behind: Inclusive implementation and reporting” - 10 July, 1.15 – 2.45 pm
• VNR Lab 4 “From presentation to implementation: Regional support to the follow-up on the VNR process” – 11 July, 8-9 am
• VNR Lab 5 “How can science, technology and innovation advance national implementation?” – 11 July, 1.15-2.45 pm
• VNR Lab 6 “Follow-up to the VNRs: Accelerating Implementation” – 12 July, 8-9 am
• VNR Lab 7 “Peacebuilding and sustaining peace through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” – 12 July, 1.15-2.45 pm

Week 15 – 19 July

• VNR Lab 8 “Strengthening national contributions from VNRs and other sources towards the thematic reviews during the next cycle” – 15 July, 8-9 am
• VNR Lab 9 “Mobilizing resources and empowering people through inclusive finance” - 15 July, 1.15-2.45 pm
• VNR Lab 10 “Engaging all parts and levels of government” – 15 July, 6:15-7:45 pm
• VNR Lab 11 “Innovative formats to review national implementation” – 16 July, 1.15-2.45 pm
• VNR Lab 12 “Storytelling and Communication Strategies for the SDGs” – 16 July, 6.30-8 pm
• VNR Lab 13 “United Kingdom – national experience of the VNR process” - 8:00 – 9:00 am, S-2726/27
• VNR Lab 14 “Strengthening the use of data for evidence-based VNRs” – 17 July, 1.15-2.45 pm
• VNR Lab 15 “Localizing the SDGs and VNRs: reporting on progress, challenges and opportunities” – 17 July, 6.30-8 pm
• VNR Lab 16 “Catalyzing partnerships for SDG implementation” – 18 July, 8-9 am
• VNR Lab 17 “Mauritius – national experience of the VNR process” - 1:15 – 2:45 pm, S-2726/27 [coming soon]

Please click here to access our online platform which contains voluntary inputs from countries participating in the Voluntary National Reviews of the HLPF. The platform also features other voluntary governmental inputs, as well as inputs from ECOSOC functional commissions and other intergovernmental bodies and forums, inputs received from major groups and other stakeholders, as well contributions from multi-stakeholder partnerships and voluntary commitments.

Letter of the President of ECOSOC to intergovernmental bodies and forums for inputs to HLPF 2019

Group of Friends of SDG 10: Summary of Discussions

• Progress, gaps and obstacles: are we on track for leaving no one behind?
• SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
• SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth
• SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities
• SDG 13 – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• SDG 16 – Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
• SDG 16 – Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels (long version)
• Financing the SDGs: Moving from words to action
• Perspective of SIDS including main findings from mid-term review of the SAMOA Pathway
• Perspectives of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)
• Science-policy interface including a briefing by the independent Group of Scientists on the Global Sustainable Development Report
• Background Note for the STI session of the HLPF
• Four years of Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs): What have we learned on implementing the SDGs?
• Lessons learned from the first cycle of the HLPF
• Concept Note: The High-level Segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council 19 July 2019

Side Events and Exhibitions will be organized on the margins of the 2019 HLPF under the auspices of ECOSOC and sponsored by Member States, the UN system and other intergovernmental organizations and accredited Major Groups and other Stakeholders.

These Side events and Exhibitions of the HLPF-held outside the official programme-provide great opportunities to discuss the theme and SDGs under review at the HLPF, deepen the discussion on voluntary national reviews (VNRs), identify emerging and new issues, listen to all voices, and help spread greater awareness of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs in general at all levels.

The applications for the Side-Events and the Exhibitions is now closed. The HLPF Secretariat will review all submissions after the deadline and organizers will receive information about their side events by end of May 2019. Approved exhibits will be notified directly in mid-May.

• Tentative Programme of Side-events to HLPF 2019
• List of exhibitions to HLPF 2019
• Side events Guidelines
• Criteria and Guidelines for Exhibitions

THEMATIC SDG REVIEWS

Thematic reviews of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, including cross-cutting issues and interlinkages, are an essential part of the annual session of the High-level Political Forum under the auspices of the ECOSOC.

As well as providing an update on where we stand in terms of progress on individual SDGs, thematic reviews offer critical insights into the implementation of the SDGs, while facilitating peer learning, exchange of experiences, identifying lessons learned as well as gaps.

These thematic reviews will benefit from reviews by the ECOSOC functional commissions and other intergovernmental bodies and forums.

In addition, DESA in collaboration with relevant UN-system entities and other partners will organize preparatory events such as Expert Group Meetings on the SDGs under review. The outcomes of these preparatory events will serve to inform the HLPF's deliberations.

Calendar of preparatory thematic events for 2019 HLPF under ECOSOC

REGIONAL PREPARATORY MEETINGS

STAKEHOLDERS E-CONSULTATION ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) UNDER REVIEW AT THE 2019 HIGH LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (HLPF)

Please click here for more information on the E-consultation

ACTIVITIES PLANNED BY THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM

• Activities promoted by the UN System in contribution to HLPF Session 2019 (2018)
• Activities promoted by the UN System in contribution to HLPF Session 2019 (2019)

WORKSHOPS

• Advancing the 2030 Agenda: Lessons learnt from the first cycle of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) - how far can we go?
• Report of the 2018 Sustainable Development Forum - Accelerating Progress towards the SDGs: Enhancing the Role of the High-level Political Forum (HLPF), 29-31 October 2018, Incheon, Republic of Korea

HLPF Preparatory Webinars for Major Groups and other Stakeholders

HLPF 101 in English

• Presentation
• Audio recording of webinar
• Transcript of webinar
• Q&As from webinar

FPAN 101 en español

• Presentación
• Grabación de audio del seminario web
• Preguntas y respuestas del seminario web

FPHN 101 en français

• Presentation
• Enregistrement audio du webinaire

Voluntary National Reviews 101 in English

• Presentation
• Audio recording of webinar

Exámenes Voluntarios Nacionales 101 en español

• Presentación
• Grabación de audio del seminario web

Examens Nationaux Volontaires 101 en français

• Presentation
• Enregistrement audio du webinaire

Inputs and Outcomes of the HLPF in English

• Presentation
• Audio recording of webinar

Aportes y resultados del Foro Político de Alto Nivel en español

• Presentación
• Grabación de audio del seminario web

Contributions et Résultats du Forum Politique de Haut Niveau en français

• Presentation
• Enregistrement audio du webinaire

Involucramiento y participación en el Foro Político de Alto Nivel en español

• Presentación de UN DESA
• Presentación de los Grupos Principales y otras partes interesadas sobre los Exámenes Voluntarios Nacionales

Engagement and Participation at the HLPF in English

• UN DESA Presentation
• MGoS Presentation on the VNRs

Engagement et participation au Forum Politique de Haut Niveau en français

• Présentation de UN DESA
• Engagement des Grands Groups et autres Parties Prenantes pendant les sessions d’Examens Nationaux Volontaires

As part of its follow-up and review mechanisms, 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 (paragraph 79). These national reviews are expected to serve as a basis for the regular reviews by the high-level political forum (HLPF), meeting under the auspices of ECOSOC. As stipulated in paragraph 84 of the 2030 Agenda, regular reviews by the HLPF are to be voluntary, state-led, undertaken by both developed and developing countries, and shall provide a platform for partnerships, including through the participation of major groups and other relevant stakeholders.

The voluntary national reviews (VNRs) aim to facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The VNRs also seek to strengthen policies and institutions of governments and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The VNR countries are expected to submit comprehensive written reports that will be made available in the VNR database. In addition, each VNR country will also provide main messages summarizing their key findings. These main messages are also posted in the VNR database.

In 2019, the 47 countries (7 for the second time) below will be conducting voluntary national reviews at the HLPF. For more details, please click here.

If you are a representative of a Major Group and other Stakeholder who would like to find out more about engaging in the VNR sessions during the HLPF, please click here.

Algeria

Azerbaijan

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Burkina Faso

Cambodia

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Chile

Congo (Republic of the)

Côte d'Ivoire

Croatia

Eswatini

Fiji

Ghana

Guatemala

Guyana

Iceland

Indonesia

Iraq

Israel

Kazakhstan

Kuwait

Lesotho

Liechtenstein

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mongolia

Nauru

New Zealand

Oman

Pakistan

Palau

Philippines

Rwanda

Saint Lucia

Serbia

Sierra Leone

South Africa

Timor-Leste

Tonga

Tunisia

Turkey

Turkmenistan

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

United Republic of Tanzania

Vanuatu

Q: What is sustainable development?

• Sustainable development seeks to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development calls for concerted efforts towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and planet.
• Poverty eradication, changing unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, and protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development are overarching objectives of and essential requirements for sustainable development.
• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by world leaders in September 2015, is the plan of action for people, planet and prosperity and aims to transform our world. The 2030 Agenda addresses the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development: the social, economic, and environmental, since a holistic and balanced approach that incorporates these three dimensions is essential for ending poverty, reducing inequalities and combatting climate change in order to achieve sustainable development.
• The 2030 Agenda applies to all countries and aims to improve people's lives and prosperity on a healthy planet, through partnership and peace. All countries, cities and multiple actors of the business sector and civil society are actively engaged in implementing the 2030 Agenda.

Q: What are the Sustainable Development Goals?

• Four years ago, member states adopted the 2030 Agenda, which contains the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The SDGs - a core feature of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - reflect a new understanding that development everywhere must integrate economic growth, social well-being and environmental protection.
• The SDGs offer the most practical and effective pathway to people's well-being and to address the causes of violent conflict, human rights abuses, climate change and environmental degradation.

Q: What is the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development?

• The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is a multi-stakeholder platform engaging 197 members states in the exchange of experiences in implementation of the SDGs, identifying gaps and lessons learned. It is also a forum for rallying further action and solutions to this end by all stakeholders.
• The HLPF seeks to enhance the integration of economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.
• The HLPF also provides a platform for the creation of multi-stakeholder partnerships and the promotion of international cooperation as we advance towards achieving the Goals.
• It meets annually under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council for eight days, including a three-day ministerial segment and every four years at the level of Heads of State and Government under the auspices of the General Assembly for two days.

Q: Why is the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development important?

• The HLPF is the global forum for providing political leadership, guidance and recommendations on implementing the 2030 Agenda and the 17 SDGs.
• The Forum provides an opportunity for countries, organizations of the United Nations and other international and regional organizations, civil society and businesses to highlight the efforts they are taking to achieve the SDGs and helps translate the vision of the SDGs into reality by looking at what is working and what is not at global, regional, national and local levels.
• By serving as a global hub for governments, organizations of the United Nations and other international organizations and major groups and stakeholders to exchange ideas and best practices and review progress on the SDGs, the HLPF enables countries to accelerate progress toward achieving the goals.

Q: How will the SDGs be implemented?

• The successful implementation of the SDGs relies on countries' own sustainable development policies, plans and programmes, and are led by countries. Leaders agreed to develop ambitious responses to the 2030 Agenda.
• Governments also have the primary responsibility for follow-up and review, at the national, regional and global levels, in relation to the progress made in implementing the SDGs.
• Governments continue to develop national indicators to assist in monitoring progress made on the goals and targets, taking into account the global indicator framework.
• The mobilization of resources at both the domestic and international levels is essential to achieve the goals.
• The follow-up and review process at the global level is undertaken by the HLPF and supported by an annual SDGs Progress Report that is prepared by the United Nations Secretary- General and quadrennial Global Sustainable Development Report prepared by a group of independent scientists.

Q: In the four years since the SDGs were adopted, what actions has the international community taken to achieve the Goals?

• Many governments from both developed and developing countries have aligned the SDGs with national policies and strategies, conducting seminars, conferences and campaigns to raise awareness and catalyze action among local governments, civil society, businesses, academia, media and other groups. Many have prepared a roadmap of implementation.
• Many local governments are engaging in SDG implementation.
• Also, many businesses have integrated the SDGs into their companies' practices and invested in new technology.
• Civil society organizations continue to build momentum, developing initiatives at the local level.

Q: Has there been progress in achieving the SDGS?

• Globally, from 2000 to 2016, the under-five mortality rate dropped 47 per cent, and the total number of under-five deaths dropped from 9.9 million to 5.6 million.
• Since 2000, the maternal mortality ratio in sub-Saharan Africa has been reduced by 35 per cent and the under-five mortality rate has dropped by 50 per cent.
• In Southern Asia, a girl's risk of marrying in childhood has declined by over 40 per cent.
• The absolute number of people living without electricity dipped below the symbolic threshold of one billion.
• In the least developed countries, the proportion of the population with access to electricity has more than doubled from 2000 to 2016.

Q: Where have there been setbacks?

• After a prolonged decline, world hunger appears to be on the rise again: the number of undernourished people rose from 777 million in 2015 to 815 million in 2016, mainly because of conflicts, drought and disasters linked to climate change.
• In 2017, economic losses attributed to disasters were estimated at over $300 billion, among the highest losses in past years, largely due to the costliest North Atlantic hurricane season on record. And the past 5-year average global temperature is the highest on record.
• While the extreme poverty rate in 2013 was a third of the 1990 value, there are pockets of the world where it stubbornly persists: 783 million people still lived below $1.90 (2011 PPP), with more than half living in sub-Saharan Africa and about one-third living in Southern Asia.
• The world is not on a trajectory towards ending malaria by 2030 - In 2016, there were 216 million cases of malaria, compared to 210 million cases in 2013.
• More than half of all children and adolescents are not meeting minimum proficiencies in reading and mathematics.
• In 2015, 6 in 10 people lacked access to safely managed sanitation services.

Q: How does the HLPF guide progress on the SDGs?

• The HLPF allows for a participatory, transparent and integrated follow-up and review platform at the global level that will help countries to learn from one another and maximize and track progress in implementing the Goals to ensure that no one is left behind.
• At the HLPF, countries present the progress and obstacles they face in implementing the Goals at the national level in the form of Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs).
• The HLPF helps translate the vision of the Goals into reality by providing political leadership and recommendations and sharing experiences and lessons learned.
• The HLPF brings together Member States, organizations of the United Nations and other international and regional organizations, civil society, NGOs, the private sector and other stakeholders to discuss progress and review successes, exchange lessons learned and experience.
• The HLPF also creates an opportunity to showcase and develop multi-stakeholder partnerships around the SDGs.

Q: What will be the focus of the HLPF in July 2019?

• The 2019 July HLPF, which will take place between 9-18 July 2019 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, has as its theme, "Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality."
• At the 2019 July HLPF, the following set of Goals will be reviewed in depth:
• Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all;
• Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all;
• Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries;
• Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts;
• Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; and
• Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Q: Who will be attending the 2019 July HLPF?

• Ministers and other senior government officials, experts from different sectors and representatives of Permanent Missions to the UN in New York, from both developed and developing countries will attend HLPF.
• Forty seven ministers will present their review of their national efforts for implementing the SDGs.
• Civil society, the private sector, academia and other stakeholders will attend and provide major inputs at the HLPF.
• Many members of parliaments will also attend and participate and contribute to the HLPF.

Q: What are Voluntary National Reviews, and how can they help achieve the 2030 Agenda?

• The Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) are a central element of the follow-up and review mechanisms of the 2030 Agenda at the global level to inform about national implementation. (See more on 2019 VNRs Q&A here)
• In 2016, 22 countries presented VNRs at the HLPF, followed by 43 countries in 2017 and 47 countries presented at 2018 HLPF with 47 countries to present in 2019 HLPF. Overall, 111 VNRs have been presented since 2016.
• Guidelines for VNRs are intended to be flexible and allow for adaptation to national circumstances.
• All countries are encouraged to report on all SDGs - especially those identified as national priorities - and to use the voluntary guidelines for VNR reports to facilitate comparability and analysis.
• A 2019 handbook in five UN languages has been prepared as well as 2018 Synthesis report to assist countries in their preparations of VNRs.

Q: Why are VNRs significant?

• VNRs are voluntary and demonstrate the commitment of countries to mobilize efforts towards achieving the Goals.
• VNRs generate a process of reflection and consultation at the national level which builds understanding of progress, gaps and challenges and can improve policies, coordination and correlations.
• VNRs by countries at the HLPF provide the opportunity to learn from each other, mobilize support to overcome shared challenges, identify new and emerging issues and provide recommendations for implementing the Goals.
• The presentation of VNRs is a peer learning experience and can spur further action to implement the SDGs at the national level.
• Success in achieving the SDGs will help to address some of the most pressing global challenges, such as climate change, providing a better life for women and men and building a firm foundation for stability and peace in all societies, everywhere.