High-level Political Forum under the aegis of ECOSOC - success in implementation of SDGs depends on each of us
The world community is committed to the most ambitious global sustainable development Agenda for the period up to 2030, but in order to guarantee confidence that no one will be left out of progress and well-being, a large-scale mobilization of resources and the widespread development of political measures is required, recognized the participants of the High-level Political Forum hosted under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council in New York.
This year's multi-stakeholder dialogue, the theme of which is "Transition to sustainable and resilient societies", focuses on assessing achievements in a set of following SDGs:
Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
More than 100 ministers, joined by mayors, business and civil society leaders and international organizations, are engaged in dialogue at the High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF) to consider how barriers to sustainable development can be overcome.
The key point of the Forum was the annual report of the UN Secretary-General on overall progress in SDGs implementation. It is encouraging to note that recent report found that a fast-changing climate, conflict, inequality, chronic poverty and hunger, and rapid urbanization are challenging countries’ efforts to achieve the goals, more people are leading better lives today than they were just a decade ago and the under-five mortality rate dropped by almost 50% in least developed countries.
However, many pressing problems still do not find their solution. For example, the Ministerial Segment held from 16 to 18 July during the last three days of the forum, called on the leaders of the countries to urgently involve all groups of the population, including women, young people, civil society and the private sector in finding the solution for pressing social challenges.
The world today has 815 million undernourished people, the number of urban poverty is growing, youth unemployment is increasing, every sixth person has no access to clean drinking water, about a billion people have no electricity in their homes, statistics of deaths of children due to lack of basic sanitation are frightening.
-People often ask what can be done, said UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, - Just think about the current situation, formulate plans for the future, and you will be able to understand your role in the implementation of the Agenda.
Success in the implementation of sustainable development goals will depend on the activity of everyone – at the global, regional, national and local levels, these issues go beyond state borders, she said.
-The HLPF has really lived up to its expectations. The Forum has gathered governments and actors from all walks of life with the "one heart" that guided the vision of the 2030 Agenda," said Liu Zhenmin, UN Under-Secretary-General of Economic and Social Affairs, calling for both public and private sectors to do much more to deliver for people and planet.
The Forum has proved itself to be a vibrant place of convergence where commonalities and interlinkages are highlighted, policy coherence is underlined and the poorest and most vulnerable are on the top of the agenda, he added.
-One of my takeaways from this week is that, at the national and local level, the most inspiring change is taking place,” said Marie Chatardová, President of ECOSOS, - We were reminded that transformation toward sustainable and resilient societies is truly powered by citizens and their local authorities.
It’s worth to note that the current HLPF has become the largest international platform for discussing sustainable development. In addition to the Ministers, over 2,000 non-state actors came to the forum and around 600 applications were submitted for side events, demonstrating the tremendous support for accelerating progress towards the SDGs.
It is also significant that 46 countries have submitted their Voluntary National Reviews, frankly sharing their difficulties and lessons learned in implementing SDGs tasks.
On the sidelines of the forum, the third SDG Business Forum brought together leaders from businesses, governments, UN agencies, key international organizations, and civil society to discuss the private sector’s role in delivering the 2030 Agenda.
Today, the HLPF will wrap up with the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration, that will encapsulate the global community's promise to leave no one behind in the road to a fairer world.
In 2019, the Political Forum will meet under the auspices of the UN General Assembly at the level of Heads of State and Government.
