29 May 2013: Efforts to establish the format and organization of the high-level political forum (HLPF) continued in the UN General Assembly on 29 May 2013, at UN Headquarters in New York, US. The informal informal consultations centered on Member States’ discussion of a draft compilation text, as they debated issues related to the HLPF’s rules, decision-making process, and participation.

Many delegates voiced the need for language to stay as close as possible to the original text from the outcome document of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), so as not to “renegotiate” these outcomes. Other delegates expressed a wish for more flexible language to allow for more open design of HLPF meetings and participation as specific needs arise. On participation, discussion centered on the ways to express the forum’s mandate for universality, and whether specific participants should be named outright. The inclusion of Major Groups and other stakeholders, and increased means for their participation, was emphasized as important by multiple delegations. Other delegates placed emphasis on the “intergovernmental” nature of the HLPF process. Proposals for the periodicity and structure of meetings remain open to discussion.

The consultations will continue over the next few weeks, and will further discuss the relationship between the HLPF, ECOSOC, and the GA, and the Forum’s preparatory meetings. [HLPF Website] [IISD Story on HLPF Consultations] [IISD RS Sources]