HLPF 2023 will review progress on SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17, and help “identify substantive priorities and generate political momentum” for the SDG Summit in September.
The Summit will “carry out a comprehensive review of the state of the SDGs, respond to the impact of the multiple and interlocking crises facing the world, and provide political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions to achieve the goals by 2030.”.
At HLPF 2023, 39 countries and the EU will present their VNRs.
The UN Secretariat has released the draft programme for the July 2023 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The annual meeting is held under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Its 2023 edition will serve as a key preparatory event for the SDG Summit in September and help “identify substantive priorities and generate political momentum” for the Summit.
A letter from ECOSOC President Lachezara Stoeva invites countries to attend the 2023 session of the HLPF. The theme of HLPF 2023 is ‘Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.’ It is scheduled to take place from 10-14 July and 17-19 July at UN Headquarters in New York, US, followed by the last day of the ECOSOC high-level segment on 20 July.
Stoeva notes that 2023 marks “the mid-point of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” She further notes that the second SDG Summit – the HLPF held under the auspices of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) every four years – will convene during the 2023 UNGA high-level week, bringing together Heads of State and Government. The Summit will “carry out a comprehensive review of the state of the SDGs, respond to the impact of the multiple and interlocking crises facing the world, and provide political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions to achieve the goals by 2030,” the ECOSOC President writes.
As per UNGA resolution 70/299, when the HLPF meets twice in the same year, under the auspices of the ECOSOC and the UNGA, only one negotiated political declaration is adopted. Intergovernmental consultations on the SDG Summit political declaration are ongoing with the leadership of the delegations of Ireland and Qatar.
Following an opening session and a townhall meeting on ‘Overcoming the Crises, Driving Transformation for the SDGs, and Leaving No One Behind,’ the first week of HLPF 2023 will be dedicated to in-depth review of five Goals:
The first week will also include a series of thematic discussions, starting with a session on ‘Acting at local level.’ It will focus on transformations that are being achieved locally to overcome crises and shift towards the full implementation of the SDGs. Other thematic sessions will address: small island developing States’ (SIDS) journey from recovery to resilience in the face of multiple shocks; overcoming middle-income countries’ (MICs) challenges in advancing the 2030 Agenda; and turning the tide, regaining lost ground, and embarking on the road to the SDGs in African countries, Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs). Major groups and other stakeholders will offer perspectives on achieving inclusive transformation at the mid-point of the SDGs.
The presentation of voluntary national reviews (VNRs) will begin on Friday, 14 July, and continue through week two, concluding on Wednesday, 19 July. Thirty-nine countries and the EU will conduct VNRs.
Also during the second week, the three-day ministerial segment will convene jointly with the ECOSOC high-level segment, from 17-19 July. The general debate will address the theme, ‘Building Momentum Towards the 2023 SDG Summit: Transformation for Accelerating Implementation of the SDGs.’ On Tuesday, 18 July, a dialogue on regional realities will convene to discuss ways of “mobilizing regional action and leveraging regional frameworks to support countries in overcoming crises and moving on to recovery and full implementation of the 2030 Agenda.”
During the HLPF, side events, VNR “labs,” special events, and exhibitions will also take place. Applications for side events and exhibitions will be accepted on the 2023 HLPF website from 1 April to 31 May 2023. [Invitation from ECOSOC President] [Draft Programme]