13 June 2016: The informal consultation process has begun on the Ministerial Declaration of the 2016 session of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Co-facilitators Gillian Bird, Permanent Representative of Australia, and Gustavo Meza-Cuadra, Permanent Representative of Peru, issued a list of potential elements to be included in the Declaration, along with the outcome of the consultations on the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), which is “to be reflected” in the Declaration.

The co-facilitators also provide a consultation timeline, which indicates that the first informal consultation session on the Ministerial Declaration will take place on 16 June 2016, and a draft of the Ministerial Declaration will be circulated to UN Member States on 20 or 21 June 2016.

The potential elements of the draft Ministerial Declaration include an element on framing the declaration, with references to intergovernmental agreements, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) and the Paris Agreement on climate change; and the preparatory process that led to HLPF 2016. It also suggests elements on: the 2016 HLPF theme and thematic reviews; the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Progress Report; national reviews at the HLPF; regional reviews; means of implementation (MOI); the Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI Forum) for the SDGs; countries in special situations; sustainable consumption and production (SCP), mainstreaming sustainable development into the UN System and emerging issues; involvement of Major Groups and Other Stakeholders; and the contribution of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), including reference the deliberations of its segments, fora and special meetings during its 2016 session.

The elements paper is accompanied by the outcome of the consultations on the GSDR, which addresses its scope, frequency, methodology and relationship with the annual SDG progress report. On scope, the outcome notes that the GSDR will: inform the HLPF; provide guidance on the state of global sustainable development from a scientific perspective, as well as lessons learned; address new and emerging issues; and highlight emerging trends and actions. The document also states that the report will have universal scope, and will consider the regional dimension and countries in special situations.

On frequency, the document resolves that a “comprehensive, in-depth report” will be produced every four years to inform the HLPF when it convenes under the auspices of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). In addition, scientists could be invited to provide input each year, to strengthen the science-policy interface at the HLPF under the auspices of ECOSOC.

On methodology, the outcome requests the creation of an independent group of scientists to draft the quadrennial GSDR, comprising 15 experts representing a variety of backgrounds, scientific disciplines and institutions, and ensuring geographical and gender balance. It notes that this independent group will commence its work by the end of 2016, and will be appointed by the UN Secretary-General for each GSDR in “open, transparent and inclusive consultations with Member States.” It adds that the group will be supported by a task team that will coordinate inputs from a “network of existing networks” representing the UN, the private sector, civil society and academia. The task team will be chaired by representatives of the UN Secretariat, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Bank.

On the relationship between the GSDR and the SDG Progress Report, the outcome states that the GSDR will be more scientific and analytical, and focused on the science-policy interface, while the SDG progress report – to be prepared by the UN Secretary-General in cooperation with the UN system – will be based on the global indicator framework and data produced by national statistical systems and information collected at the regional level.

In addition to the 16 June meeting, the co-facilitators intend to hear comments on the draft Ministerial Declaration on 23 and 24 June 2016, and will hold informal-informals on the Ministerial Declaration on 27 and 28 June 2016. The HLPF will take place from 11-22 July 2016, and will include a high-level segment from 18-22 July. [Co-facilitators Letter, Potential Elements of Draft Ministerial Declaration and GSDR Consultation Outcome] [HLPF 2016 Website] [HLPF Programme] [IISD RS Story on Co-Facilitators’ Appointment]