December 2022 - You are accessing an archived version of our website. This website is no longer maintained or updated. The Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform has been migrated here: https://sdgs.un.org/
December 2022 - You are accessing an archived version of our website. This website is no longer maintained or updated. The Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform has been migrated here: https://sdgs.un.org/
The high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF) is the core United Nations platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The meeting of the HLPF in 2021 was held from Tuesday, 6 July, to Thursday, 15 July 2021, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. This included the three-day ministerial meeting of the forum from Tuesday, 13 July, to Thursday, 15 July 2021.
The HLPF discussed ways to ensure a sustainable and resilient recovery from COVID-19 that puts us on track to realize the 2030 Agenda. The theme was "Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development".
The HLPF in 2021 discussed Sustainable Development Goals 1 on no poverty, 2 on zero hunger, 3 on good health and well-being, 8 on decent work and economic growth, 10 on reduced inequalities, 12 on responsible consumption and production, 13 on climate action, 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions, and 17 on partnerships in depth. The Forum also considered the integrated, indivisible and interlinked nature of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ministers and other participants were able to explore various aspects of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts. They discussed the kind of policies and international cooperation that can control the pandemic and its impacts and put the world back on track to achieve the SDGs by 2030, within the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development.
42 countries carried out voluntary national reviews (VNRs) of their implementation of the 2030 Agenda. For more details, please click here.
The HLPF adopted the Ministerial Declaration as the outcome of its session. The President of ECOSOC will also prepare a summary to capture the key messages of the discussions. For more details, please click here.
The programme of the HLPF 2021 focused on the theme of the forum “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”. It included the thematic reviews of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16 and 17, and the voluntary national reviews (VNRs) conducted by Member States.
Annotated programme with speakers
List of speakers for the morning session of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC on 16 July
Concept note for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021 (4 June 2021)
Programme of side-events at the 2021 HLPF (FINAL) as of 15 July 2021
Easy Read Document for the HLPF
With generous support of New Zealand, sign language interpretation was provided in a number of thematic meetings and in voluntary national reviews at the HLPF 2021.
The programme of the HLPF 2021 focused on the theme of the forum “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”. It included the thematic reviews of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16 and 17, and the voluntary national reviews (VNRs) conducted by Member States.
Annotated programme with speakers
List of speakers for the morning session of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC on 16 July
Concept note for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021 (4 June 2021)
Programme of side-events at the 2021 HLPF (FINAL) as of 15 July 2021
Easy Read Document for the HLPF
With generous support of New Zealand, sign language interpretation was provided in a number of thematic meetings and in voluntary national reviews at the HLPF 2021.
The programme of the HLPF 2021 focused on the theme of the forum “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”. It included the thematic reviews of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16 and 17, and the voluntary national reviews (VNRs) conducted by Member States.
Annotated programme with speakers
List of speakers for the morning session of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC on 16 July
Concept note for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021 (4 June 2021)
Programme of side-events at the 2021 HLPF (FINAL) as of 15 July 2021
Easy Read Document for the HLPF
With generous support of New Zealand, sign language interpretation was provided in a number of thematic meetings and in voluntary national reviews at the HLPF 2021.
The programme of the HLPF 2021 focused on the theme of the forum “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”. It included the thematic reviews of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16 and 17, and the voluntary national reviews (VNRs) conducted by Member States.
Annotated programme with speakers
List of speakers for the morning session of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC on 16 July
Concept note for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021 (4 June 2021)
Programme of side-events at the 2021 HLPF (FINAL) as of 15 July 2021
Easy Read Document for the HLPF
With generous support of New Zealand, sign language interpretation was provided in a number of thematic meetings and in voluntary national reviews at the HLPF 2021.
The programme of the HLPF 2021 focused on the theme of the forum “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”. It included the thematic reviews of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16 and 17, and the voluntary national reviews (VNRs) conducted by Member States.
Annotated programme with speakers
List of speakers for the morning session of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC on 16 July
Concept note for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021 (4 June 2021)
Programme of side-events at the 2021 HLPF (FINAL) as of 15 July 2021
Easy Read Document for the HLPF
With generous support of New Zealand, sign language interpretation was provided in a number of thematic meetings and in voluntary national reviews at the HLPF 2021.
The programme of the HLPF 2021 focused on the theme of the forum “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”. It included the thematic reviews of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16 and 17, and the voluntary national reviews (VNRs) conducted by Member States.
Annotated programme with speakers
List of speakers for the morning session of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC on 16 July
Concept note for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021 (4 June 2021)
Programme of side-events at the 2021 HLPF (FINAL) as of 15 July 2021
Easy Read Document for the HLPF
With generous support of New Zealand, sign language interpretation was provided in a number of thematic meetings and in voluntary national reviews at the HLPF 2021.
The programme of the HLPF 2021 focused on the theme of the forum “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”. It included the thematic reviews of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16 and 17, and the voluntary national reviews (VNRs) conducted by Member States.
Annotated programme with speakers
List of speakers for the morning session of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC on 16 July
Concept note for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021 (4 June 2021)
Programme of side-events at the 2021 HLPF (FINAL) as of 15 July 2021
Easy Read Document for the HLPF
With generous support of New Zealand, sign language interpretation was provided in a number of thematic meetings and in voluntary national reviews at the HLPF 2021.
The programme of the HLPF 2021 focused on the theme of the forum “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”. It included the thematic reviews of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16 and 17, and the voluntary national reviews (VNRs) conducted by Member States.
Annotated programme with speakers
List of speakers for the morning session of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC on 16 July
Concept note for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021 (4 June 2021)
Programme of side-events at the 2021 HLPF (FINAL) as of 15 July 2021
Easy Read Document for the HLPF
With generous support of New Zealand, sign language interpretation was provided in a number of thematic meetings and in voluntary national reviews at the HLPF 2021.
The programme of the HLPF 2021 focused on the theme of the forum “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”. It included the thematic reviews of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16 and 17, and the voluntary national reviews (VNRs) conducted by Member States.
Annotated programme with speakers
List of speakers for the morning session of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC on 16 July
Concept note for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021 (4 June 2021)
Programme of side-events at the 2021 HLPF (FINAL) as of 15 July 2021
Easy Read Document for the HLPF
With generous support of New Zealand, sign language interpretation was provided in a number of thematic meetings and in voluntary national reviews at the HLPF 2021.
Due to the virtual and hybrid nature of the HLPF and the High-level Segment of ECOSOC, participating States and other participants were invited to provide general statements through a pre-recorded video or in writing for posting on the ECOSOC and HLPF websites and in e-deleGATE. All pre-recorded video general statements must be uploaded no later than 16 July 2021 using the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/request/47RLz1ZXzP2ClVriVSR5. All written general statements should also be uploaded by 16 July 2021 through the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/request/6oAWv5gcD5HkLp86TePp
The length of the statements should be consistent with previous time limits of 6 minutes for statements on behalf of groups and 4 minutes for individual statements.
Participating States
Intergovernmental Organization
UN System
Major Groups and other Stakeholders
UNDESA organized substantive preparations for the thematic reviews of the HLPF 2021 notably through expert group meetings organized together with relevant UN system partners.
Regional Forums for Sustainable Development were convened by the Regional Commissions. The regional forums assessed progress and exchanged knowledge, good practices and policy solutions to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, in line with regional priorities and specificities.
Forum | Tentative dates, venue, format |
---|---|
Economic Commission for Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development |
1-4 March 2021, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo (hybrid) |
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Forum on Sustainable Development |
15-18 March 2021,Costa Rica (virtual) |
Economic Commission for Europe Regional Forum on Sustainable Development |
17-18 March, 2021, Geneva (hybrid) |
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Regional Forum on Sustainable Development |
23-26 March 2021, Bangkok (hybrid) |
Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia Regional Forum on Sustainable Development |
29-31 March 2021, Beirut (hybrid) |
64 UN system and other intergovernmental bodies and forums provided contributions to the thematic reviews of the 2021 HLPF. Please click here to access the online platform which contains the inputs to the 2021 HLPF.
The HLPF 2021 under the auspices of ECOSOC resulted in a negotiated ministerial declaration for inclusion in the report of the Council to the General Assembly.
The President of ECOSOC has invited Member States and other stakeholders to launch SDG Acceleration Actions at the HLPF. Those are voluntary initiatives aimed at overcoming the impacts of COVID-19 on the SDGs and moving on a path towards accelerated SDG progress.
The forum will also be informed by other related reports from other intergovernmental processes, including:
As mandated by the General Assembly, the functional commissions of ECOSOC and other intergovernmental bodies and forums were invited to provide inputs to the HLPF thematic reviews. Please click here to access the online platform which contains the inputs to the 2021 HLPF.
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 every year in July. 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.
42 countries carried out voluntary national reviews (VNRs) of their implementation of the 2030 Agenda in 2021, including Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahamans, Bhutan, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Chad, China, Colombia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Germany, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marshall Island, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Paraguay, Qatar, San Marino, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sweden. Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, Zimbabwe. For more details, please click here.
Compilation of main messages for the 2021 voluntary national reviews: Note by the Secretariat
A series of VNR Labs were convened on the margins of the 2021 HLPF, which provided an informal platform for experience sharing and reflection on the Voluntary National Review process. As always, the Labs were held under the Chatham House rule and were open to Member States, the UN system and representatives of Major Groups and other Stakeholders.
Six years into implementing the 2030 Agenda, with over one hundred Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) presented, there is a wealth of experience, innovation and engagement to be shared. This VNR Lab will provide a platform for an interactive conversation among government officials and civil society organizations and networks, as well as a handful of UN officials, outside experts and previous VNR countries, around best practices and innovative ideas that have been used to engage stakeholders in the reporting and implementation of the SDGs. Organized by the UN Foundation.
More information: https://forms.gle/7sgUw8m9GR9NfWba7
Capacity to leverage synergies and mitigate trade-offs between the SDGs has an impact on goals’ progress. How can a systemic approach improve reporting and help to accelerate action on the SDGs? What are the opportunities and challenges in adopting a systemic perspective in practice? This session will provide participants with an overview of systemic approaches to dealing with SDG interactions and support reporting. A panel will discuss experiences in practice by reflecting on the application of SDG Synergies in different geographies. Organized by DESA and the Stockholm Environment Institute.
More information: https://www.sei.org/events/vnr-lab-at-the-high-level-political-forum-2021/
This lab will examine progress on how youth involvement in sport can contribute to promoting inclusive sustainable development and peace and provide a platform for Members States, and other national and regional stakeholders, to share their experiences - both successes and challenges – about supporting youth empowerment through sport programmes. It will also explore the most appropriate strategies to effectively build young people’s positive life skills and inclusive social values through sport and towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda by providing youth a platform to highlight how they view sport as an enabling mechanism to bring about positive social change. Finally, it will assess any barriers faced by Member States in successfully reaching youth in their communities and provide recommendations to overcome these challenges. Organized by the Division for Inclusive Social Development, DESA.
More information: https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/2021/06/youth-sport-2030agenda/
The VNR lab will provide a platform for countries to share their experiences—both successes and challenges—in planning and preparing an evidence-based and data-driven VNR in the time of COVID-19. Data and statistics are guiding countries’ effort in combating the virus, saving lives and recovering better. Over the last year, countries have faced unprecedented disruptions in statistical operations and a spike in demand for data to monitor and mitigate the effects of the global pandemic. This lab will provide an opportunity for countries to share their experiences on how to adapt quickly to the challenges and provide the needed data in COVID-19 response. It will also discuss new partnerships, data innovations and new measures introduced which have profoundly changed the statistical production process in many countries. The VNR lab will identify challenges, opportunities and possible recommendations that countries can use going forward in order to keep data at the center of building back and recovering better.
More information: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/meetings/vnr-lab-8jul2021/
The objectives of the VNR Lab on Migration, which is being organized in collaboration with the Group of Friends on migration, are to:
More information: https://migrationnetwork.un.org/events/vnr-lab-migration
The VNR Lab will discuss lessons learned and best practices emerging from the regions in relation to inclusiveness and innovation in the VNR process, in particular building on the experience of second and third generation of VNRs. Organized by the Regional Commissions New York Office (RNCYO).
More information: http://www.regionalcommissions.org/2021vnr/
On the basis of VNR reports and archived video of VNR presentations, a brief overview of key elements of a “successful” VNR process will be presented. The Lab will also review analysis of how key components of the VNRs, such as leave no one behind, have been covered in the VNRs so far. Organized by the Office for Intergovernmental Support and Coordination and the Economic Analysis and Policy Division, DESA.
Concept Note: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/279692021_VNR_Lab_7_Concept_Note.pdf
Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/ULCmBMcUC9
In recent years, the Voluntary Local Reviews, modelled after the VNRs and conducted by cities and regions, have picked up considerable momentum. This Lab will showcase how 2021 VNR countries have used these VLRs in their own review process. It will also reflect how these reviews at two levels can best support each other and SDG implementation at large. Organized by the Division for Sustainable Development Goals, DESA, together with the Regional Commissions.
More information forthcoming: https://sdgs.un.org/events/vnr-lab-2021-enhancing-dialogue-between-voluntary-national-reviews-vnrs-and-voluntary-local
Please note that the VNR Lab 9 will be translated In English / En Français / En Español.
This VNR-Lab will debate the importance and various forms of national sustainable development policy cycles, including national strategies, indicator and prioritization processes, as well as Voluntary National Reviews and peer review processes. If in accordance, they provide for solid policy cycles at national level, including input and review from the international level. A number of national multi-stakeholder advisory bodies will provide insights on how they work in trustworthy and reciprocal relationships with their governments to deliver on the 2030 Agenda. The event will shed light on the variety of existing multi-stakeholder platforms and their concrete role in the local implementation of the SDGs, while focusing on their role as facilitators of consensual and inclusive advice on practical and socially acceptable policy pathways. Organized by the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) and DESA.
Concept Note: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/28293VNR_Lab_9_Concept_Note.pdf
Registration: Link
The Lab will provide a platform for Governments and partners to share approaches that can help bring a focus on children’s rights, data and evidence, and children’s voices into VNRs. The Lab will present evidence-based perspectives from Governments, the United Nations system, civil society and youth advocates on how investing in integrated social services for children built on a solid foundation of social protection will support sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerates progress towards the SDGs. Organized by the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children and UNICEF.
More information: https://violenceagainstchildren.un.org/node/4066
Registration: https://unicef.zoom.us/j/93066227759
This Lab will review how VNR countries are progressively integrating the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs into national development plans and strategies. The 2019 SDG Summit called on countries to “mainstream the 2030 Agenda into our national planning instruments, policies, strategies and financial frameworks”. The voluntary national reviews (VNRs) and other sources provide examples of approaches taken by countries to integrate the 2030 agenda into national plans and strategies. Organized by the Division for Sustainable Development Goals, DESA.
More information: Link
Success in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and building back better depends on mobilizing and effectively coordinating efforts of multiple policy sectors and all levels of government. This VNR lab will provide a platform for governments to share experiences in tackling COVID-19. Countries will be invited in particular to consider the challenges and opportunities that the pandemic has presented in terms of multi-level governance and integrated policymaking. It will also consider policy actions that can strengthen effective governance for sustainable development.
Registration (to receive meeting link): https://forms.office.com/r/k3yMbyBbfy
Concept note: Link
More information: Link
This lab will focus on the VNR preparation process in Uruguay, highlighting the methodology and principles of the country’s VNR report, preparation process and follow-up actions. The VNR lab could also reflect on the impact on COVID-19 on the VNR preparations and SDG implementation.
Concept Note: Link
Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/xUf1MVfbCR”
The objective of this VNR Lab is to promote an open conversation and exchange between VNR countries, stakeholders and partners on experiences and lessons learned on the engagement of stakeholders from different sectors in the preparation of Voluntary National Reviews and supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, especially considering the impacts and adjustments needed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The VNR Lab will identify challenges and opportunities and will discuss recommendations to strengthen and facilitate meaningful engagement of stakeholders that can lead towards and contribute to continuous and structured processes through all points of the SDG policy cycle. Organized by Division for Sustainable Development Goals, DESA and Partners for Review, Germany.
More information: Link
Only nine years remain to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and greater efforts are needed to diagnose the root causes of structural gender inequality, identify game-changers and spur further commitments. New gender indices produced by UN Women and UNDP provide powerful tools for this pursuit. Together, they illustrate a country’s status in achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment. The dimensions and indicators selected for the indices are universally relevant and complement the policy efforts of the 2030 Agenda. This lab will highlight some of the findings from this work and its relevance for the preparation of VNRs, particularly in their assessment of the different forms of discrimination that women and girls face and its impact on society and on accelerating progress in achieving the SDGs.
More information: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/events/2021/07/event-path-to-equal-new-indices-on-gender-equality-and-womens-empowerment
Registration (to receive meeting link): https://unwomen.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QHhVS8-CQ_aRdhEzNOGXxw
Concept Note: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/281672021_VNR_Lab_14_Concept_Note.pdf
This lab will focus on the VNR preparation process in Tunisia, highlighting the methodology and principles of the country’s VNR report, preparation process and follow-up actions. The VNR lab could also reflect on the impact on COVID-19 on the VNR preparations and SDG implementation.
Concept Note: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/28245VNR_Lab16_Concept_Note.pdf
Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/a5WMZPqiXb
This lab will focus on the VNR preparation process in Japan, highlighting the methodology and principles of the country’s VNR report, preparation process and follow-up actions. The VNR lab could also reflect on the impact on COVID-19 on the VNR preparations and SDG implementation.
Concept Note: Link
Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/bKgy4pYS0S
Side Events were organized on the margins of the 2021 HLPF under the auspices of ECOSOC and sponsored by Member States, the UN system and other intergovernmental organizations and the Major Groups and other accredited Stakeholders.
These Side events of the HLPF- held outside the official programme- provided great opportunities to discuss themes and SDGs under review at the HLPF, deepen the discussion on VNRs, identify new issues, listen to all voices, and help spread greater awareness of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs in general at all levels.
The side events were closely related to the work of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and focused on the theme for the 2021 meeting under the auspices of ECOSOC "Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development" as well as SDGs that were discussed: Goals 1,2, 3, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16 and 17.
The HLPF Secretariat, being based in New York City, is fully aware of the continuing situation related to COVID-19. The pandemic has influenced the organization of the HLPF at UN Headquarters in July 2021.
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and its partner agencies and organisations organized special virtual events on the margins of the HLPF.
Flyer for Special Events Outcomes
List of Exhibitions at the 2021 HLPF
Title of Exhibition | Description |
---|---|
“Inclusive Creative Economy for Sustainable Development: Let’s Connect!” (INDONESIA) | a virtual exhibition to connect penta-helix around the globe, to enable them to share their best practices and their voices for creative economy to be inclusive, resilient and contributing to the sustainable development. |
Solar cooking - an inclusive and effective cross-cutting solution that is essential during a global health crisis (and beyond) (SOLAR COOKERS INTERNATIONAL) | A virtual exhibition showcasing solar cooking as an inclusive and effective cross-cutting solution that is essential during a global health crisis (and beyond) while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Solar thermal energy harnessed for clean and sustainable cooking builds community resilience through many benefits. Voluntary National Review can create an enabling environment for scaling solar cooking. |
The Global Alliance for Reporting Progress on Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies | This exhibition features a wide range of tools, resources and initiatives from across the global SDG16+ Community – including from SDG16+ Coalition Partners, Member States and a broader range of organizations and actors that engage with the SDG16+ Coalition. With significant work already undertaken to bring a wide range of key SDG16+ actors together through this SDG16+ Coalition, this exhibition is featuring storytelling through videos, graphic illustrations and other dynamic visual content; Websites that provide interactive opportunities to explore additional content around SDG16+; Resources/Reports that detail the extensive work of SDG16+ Coalition Members and the wider SDG16+ community and Other digital media products promoting the work of the SDG16+ Coalition and its partners. |
How incorporating One Health and One Welfare contributes to a sustainable and resilient recovery (World Federation for Animals) | This virtual exhibition uses dynamic imagery in an interactive, virtual environment, taking participants on a journey to learn more about the concepts of One Health and One Welfare and how addressing linkages between humans, animals and the environment can support a transformative, sustainable, inclusive and resilient recovery from the pandemic. |
Evidence Matters - Country-led SDG evaluations: this missing piece of the jigsaw? (World Food Programme) | This virtual exhibition showcases innovative multimedia content including endorsement videos, presentations, and evidence stories of Country-led Evaluation from the organizing partners, supported by an #EvidenceMatters Twitter Dialogue that will take place on the day of the side event. |
How Children and Young people's participation is contributing to the recovery from the pandemic (World Vision) | World Vision is hosting a virtual exhibition to showcase the voices and views of children on COVID-19 and how they are helping to stop the spread and lessen its impact in their families and communities. It highlights reports from the children and young people consultations, video clips from children and young people activism and online dialogue with young leaders and others. |
One billion voices for education: reducing inequalities and building inclusive societies with more and better financing for education during and after the covid-19 pandemic( Global Campaign for Education) | this virtual exhibition features the images telling stories of girls, children with disabilities, learners from vulnerable communities and living in rural areas whose education, and therefore their future, have been affected. Each image tells a story of how COVID-19 has impacted them, how they have adapted and built resilience towards challenges. |
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8: The Contribution of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining to Decent Work and Economic Growth (PACT) | A virtual exhibitions that will feature case studies, videos, infographics, and contributing organizations from the 2020 State of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Sector report by Delve – a global platform for ASM data managed by Pact. |
"#DigitalArt4Climate - Harnessing the Power of Culture and Technology for Action for Climate Empowerment" (International Association for the Advancement of Innovative Approaches to Global Challenges)" | this virtual exhibition showcase the submissions as well as provide some background information about the Action for Climate Empowerment innovation project ACE_AT. |
Business Heroes: Their Stories (International Organisation of Employers): French Spanish | a video featuring the stories of silent heroes from small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the backbone of economies and crucial for economic growth, via interviews. The aim of this video series is to show the human side of running a business across the globe through individual stories of employers and learn what drives them, how they overcome obstacles, navigate the highs and lows of owning a business and the personal sacrifices they make on the road to success. |
Volunteers, COVID-19, and the 2030 Agenda (Volunteer Groups Alliance and United Nations Volunteers) | a virtual exhibition featuring stories of the sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic through volunteering that promotes the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, pictures of volunteers will illustrate the inspiration of everyday citizens to make the change they want to see in the world and Recording of “Reporting the Impact of Volunteering to Achieve the 2030 Agenda” |
Countryside at the United Nations (Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in collaboration with AMO) | The publicly accessible exhibition consists of a series of panels that feature questions and images illustrating rural transformations of different kinds – from the Siberian Permafrost to high-tech Dutch greenhouses. In anticipation of the United Nations Food Systems Summit in September 2021, the panels focus on topics such as agricultural innovation, ecological change, food production and security. Countryside at the United Nations is curated by Rem Koolhaas and Samir Bantal, director of AMO, with the support of the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations. The exhibition runs until July 29th, 2021. |
Programme of the SDG Media Zone:
In accordance with General Assembly Resolution 67/290, the HLPF is open to the major groups, other relevant stakeholders and entities having received a standing invitation to participate as observers in the General Assembly, building on arrangements and practices observed by the Commission on Sustainable Development.
While retaining the intergovernmental character of the forum, the representatives of the major groups and other relevant stakeholders shall be allowed:
General Assembly Resolution 67/290 encourages major groups and other stakeholders ‘to autonomously establish and maintain effective coordination mechanisms’ for participation in the HLPF.
The major groups were first identified in Agenda 21 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. These major groups and some additional stakeholder groups were identified in General Assembly Resolution 66/288 ‘The future we want’, as well as in some of the subsequent UNGA Resolutions namely, 67/290, 70/1, 70/299 and 72/305.
It is important to note that some stakeholder groups have developed to mirror other post-2015 development agreements. While not all of the Major Groups and other Stakeholders that form the Coordination Mechanism (MGoS-CM) are identified by United Nations agreed outcomes, they hold equal status within the MGoS-CM Terms of Reference [Dec 2020], formerly known as the Steering Group. The MGoS-CM is independent of the United Nations.
General information about the major groups and other stakeholders can be found here.
To receive email updates from UN DESA about preparations for the HLPF please complete the survey here.
Contact information can be found below if you want to join one of the major groups and other stakeholders. The contact information of the Organising Partners for each of the MGoS constituencies below can also be found here.
UN DESA and the Major Groups and other Stakeholders Coordination Mechanism will host preparatory webinars to outline the latest HLPF announcements and the ways that Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS) constituents can participate. The Webex log-in details will be shared via the HLPF MGoS-CM mailing list. The preparatory webinars will take place on:
Traditionally, the three types of organisations listed below are those permitted to enter the United Nations building to participate in the HLPF. The 2021 HLPF however, will be hosted on a virtual platform and its official sessions will broadcast on UN Web TV. No formal registration is needed to watch and listen to the official sessions, therefore registration through Indico will not be necessary this year.
In order to actively participate in the HLPF, non-state actors are encouraged to join a Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS) constituency. Contact details can be found on the MGoS Introduction page. Formal roles in the official sessions of the HLPF, such as Resource Persons and Lead Discussants, are largely determined by nomination processes which commence through the MGoS.
The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the main entry point into the UN system for NGOs. ECOSOC is the central mechanism for coordination of the activities of the United Nations system and its specialized agencies and supervision of subsidiary bodies in the economic, social, environmental and related fields. It is the principal body for the coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on issues of economic and social development and for implementation of the international development goals agreed at the major United Nations conferences and summits, including the Sustainable Development Goals. The consultative relationship with ECOSOC is governed by Resolution 1996/31. Further information can be found here.
The organizations that were registered for the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 but were not at the time ECOSOC accredited organizations were invited to join the CSD Roster which enabled them to attend the CSD. The purpose was to permit these organisations to attend and participate in the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development without the necessity of obtaining ECOSOC consultative status.
In a process that is similar to the CSD Roster above, representatives from the major groups and other stakeholders engaged in the implementation of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals who would not usually have the opportunity to attend the HLPF are also encouraged to participate.
Due to the virtual format of the 2021 HLPF, funding will not be allocated to support the travel of MGoS representatives to New York.
The President of the ECOSOC Mr. Munir Akram has appointed H.E. Ambassador Jukka Salovaara, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Finland to the United Nations, and H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Hussein Bahr Aluloom, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations, as co-facilitators of the 2021 ECOSOC High Level forum and HLPF Ministerial Declaration.
Please check the Outcome section of this website to find letters from the co-facilitators, a draft timeline of the negotiations, and the latest drafts of the Ministerial Declaration. The negotiations are closed and therefore not broadcast on UN Web TV. A limited number of representatives of the MGoS are invited to observe and make interventions during the negotiations. Please contact your MGoS to find out about the nomination process.
The MGoS will nominate 13 Lead Discussants to participate in the official thematic sessions of the HLPF. Each of the MGoS will conduct its own process to nominate Lead Discussants. These nominations will be reviewed by the MGoS Coordination Mechanism. A slate of nominations will then submitted by the MGoS Coordination Mechanism to the President of ECOSOC for review. Please do not contact UN DESA directly to submit a nomination. Please contact your MGoS to request information about the process.
In addition to the allocation of formal roles in the HLPF, MGoS constituents also have the opportunity to deliver an intervention or ask a question when the official session discussions are opened to the floor. These interventions are coordinated by the MGoS-CM, please contact your MGoS to find out more about these processes.
UN DESA collaborates with the MGoS-CM to organise an official session of the HLPF to discuss stakeholder perspectives. The official session will take place on Friday, 9 July @ 3pm (New York time) ET. The title of the session is “Vision and priorities of civil society, the private sector and other major groups and stakeholders: realizing the SDGs during the COVID-19 recovery.” The Moderators, Resource Persons, and Lead Discussants will be determined by nomination processes which commence through the MGoS. This session will be available to watch live on UN Web TV.
Information on this year’s Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) can be found on the HLPF website here.
Following the presentation of a Voluntary National Review (VNR), the MGoS have an opportunity to ask questions of the presenting countries. The MGoS-CM will soon request expressions of interest to draft questions and identify candidates. To find out more about these processes, please join one of the upcoming webinars co-hosted by UN DESA and the MGoS-CM. These webinars will cover key characteristics and objectives of the VNRs, as well as opportunities and best practices for stakeholder engagement in preparation for the HLPF. The webinars will take place in French, Spanish, and English on the dates below. Login details will be shared via the MGoS-CM mailing list:
Français: Lundi, 7 juin @ 9h - 10h ET (New York)
UN DESA en collaboration avec les grands groupes et les autres parties prenantes (GGPP) vont organiser un webinaire pour présenter les Examens Nationaux Volontaires (ENV) auprès du Forum politique de haut niveau pour le développement durable (FPHN) aux nouveaux représentants des GGPP. Le webinaire va couvrir les caractéristiques et principaux objectifs des ENV, et les opportunités et les meilleures pratiques pour l'engagement des GGPP pendant le FPHN.
Webinaire [FR]: Un bref aperçu des examens nationaux volontaires (ENV) au FPHN
Présentation PowerPoint par UNDESA et les Grands groupes et les autres parties prenantes (GGPP)
Español: Martes, 8 de junio @ 2.30 – 3.30pm ET (Nueva York)
UN DESA en colaboración con los grupos principales y otras partes interesadas van a organizar un seminario para presentar los Examenes Nacionales Voluntarios (EVN) antes del Foro Político de Alto Nivel sobre el Desarrollo Sostenible (FPAN) a los nuevos representantes de los grupos principales y otras partes interesadas. El seminario cubrirá las características y los objetivos claves de los EVN, así como las oportunidades y las mejores prácticas para la participación de los grupos principales y otras partes interesadas en la preparación para el FPAN.
Seminario [ES] - Examenes Nacionales Voluntarios (EVN)
Presentación de PowerPoint par UN DESA et los Grupos principales y otras partes interesadas
English: Wednesday, 9 June @ 9 – 10am (New York)
UN DESA in collaboration with the major groups and other stakeholders (MGoS) will host a webinar to introduce new representatives of the MGoS to the Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) at the high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF). The webinar will cover key characteristics and objectives of the VNRs, as well as opportunities and best practices for stakeholder engagement in preparation for the HLPF.
Webinar [EN] - A brief overview of the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) at the HLPF 2021
PowerPoint Presentation by UN DESA and the Major Groups and other Stakeholders
The MGoS-CM will request expressions of interest to draft questions and identify candidates. Please contact your MGoS constituency to request information about the process. Please complete the questionnaire by Friday, 18 June to join the process: https://forms.gle/wQsRSbnERrQ68AGw6
Discussion papers on the theme of the high-level political forum on sustainable development (final), submitted by major groups and other stakeholders can be found on Documentation & Inputs section of the HLPF website:
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MGoS are invited to submit extended position papers, which will be uploaded as inputs to the Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform. The focus of the Sectoral Position Papers is the theme of the 2021 HLPF, as noted above. The deadline for submission of the MGoS Sectoral Position Papers has now passed.
In line with Paragraph 89 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, “The HLPF will support participation in follow-up and review processes by the major groups and other relevant stakeholders in line with resolution 67/290. We call upon those actors to report on their contribution to the implementation of the Agenda.”
The (soft) deadline for the submission of Paragraph 89 reports will be COB Monday, 7 June 2021. Please continue to share your reports with Emnet Bekele: bekelee@un.org. Paragraph 89 Reports will also be submitted as inputs to the Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform here.
Information, including application guidelines, can be found on the HLPF website under Other Events. All side events will be held virtually. One slot will be allocated to each of the MGoS constituencies. ECOSOC accredited organisations and Organisations on the CSD Roster may also submit applications to host side events.
UN DESA will not be responsible for hosting the digital platform for each side event, this will be the responsibility of the side event’s host organisation. Please do not submit applications with timings for side events that overlap with the official sessions of the HLPF. With reference to Question #3 in application form, all organisations above are asked should select ‘Representative of the Major Groups and other Stakeholders’ from the drop-down menu.
The application deadline has now passed. The applications are currently being reviewed, DESA will contact applicants soon.
Information, including application guidelines, can be found on the HLPF website under Other Events. All exhibitions will be held virtually. UN DESA will not be responsible for hosting the digital platform for each exhibition, this will be the responsibility of the host organisation.
The application deadline has now passed. The applications are currently being reviewed, DESA will contact applicants soon.
Please also take an opportunity to explore the Special Events that the UN DESA and its partner agencies and organisations will organise virtually, on the margins of the HLPF this year. ‘The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021’ and the ‘2021 SDGs Learning, Training, and Practice’ can be found under Other Events.
A series of VNR Labs will be convened on the margins of the 2021 HLPF, to provide an informal platform for experience sharing and reflection on the Voluntary National Review process. As always, 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.