The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development started in New York, at the UN on Monday, July 10 under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. Within the framework of the event, a three-day ministerial segment will be held from July 17 to 19, and the ECOSOC forum will end on Thursday, July 20.

The theme will be "Accelerating recovery from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels."

The world is struggling with serious financial, energy, food and humanitarian crises provoked by geopolitical tensions, the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate emergency, which leads to a slowdown in progress towards achieving the SDGs.

In this context, participants will discuss effective and inclusive recovery measures aimed at addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as explore effective policy recommendations for the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at all levels.

The forum will discuss in detail the Goals: 6 - on clean water and sanitation, 7 - on affordable and clean energy, 9 - on industry, innovation and infrastructure, 11 - on sustainable development of cities and communities, 17 - on partnership to achieve the SDGs.

40 speakers will conduct voluntary national reviews (VNRs) of their implementation of the Agenda for the period up to 2030 at the forum. Among them will be Turkmenistan, which will present its report, according to the program, on July 19.

To present an assessment of the progress of the SDGs in the country, along with the already named five goals recommended by the UN system, the second Voluntary National Review of Turkmenistan includes six additional goals reflecting the key strategic directions of the country's development: health; quality and inclusive education; food security; gender equality; improving human well-being; combating climate change. The review will be presented by the Government delegation of Turkmenistan with the participation of young SDG ambassadors.

There will also be a separate session dedicated to the city of Arkadag at the high-level political forum in New York. It is organized jointly by the Government of Turkmenistan and the UN system.

The forum's agenda also includes preparations for the SDG Summit with the participation of heads of state and government, which will be convened under the auspices of the UN General Assembly in September 2023.

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