2 April 2019
UN Sets Up Website for 2019 SDG Summit
Photo by IISD/Mike Muzurakis
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The UN has launched a website for the SDG Summit that will take place under the auspices of the UNGA from 24 September to 25 September 2019.

The website includes details on preparation, the engagement of stakeholders, expected outcome, registration and special events.

The website notes that the UN Secretary-General has created a UN system HLPF Task Team to contribute to substantive preparations for the Summit.

March 2019: The UN Secretariat launched a website for the meeting of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) at the level of heads of state and government, to be convened under the auspices of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2019. The site includes details on preparation, the engagement of stakeholders, expected outcome, registration and special events.

The meeting, also referred to as the ‘SDG Summit,’ will be the first summit-level meeting on the 2030 Agenda since its adoption in September 2015. In resolutions 67/290 and 70/299, the UNGA agreed that every four years, the HLPF will meet under the auspices of the UNGA at the level of Heads of State and Government. The 2019 event will take place from the afternoon of 24 September to 25 September 2019, coinciding with the Assembly’s 74th general debate.

The website notes that the Summit will be chaired by the UNGA President, and result in a concise, negotiated political declaration. It says the Summit will provide an opportunity for world leaders to assess progress so far and provide leadership and guidance on the way forward to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. It will also seek to mobilize further support for action to achieve the SDGs.

The Summit will call on all countries and stakeholders to pledge new voluntary commitments for implementing the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.

In a Question-and-Answer section, the website notes that the Summit will: allow participants to share SDG experiences and best practices, and provide access to tools that can accelerate action on integrated and holistic approaches to sustainable development; call on all countries and stakeholders to pledge new voluntary commitments on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs; help build partnerships to further achievement at all levels; and engage “SDG Champions.”

On preparation, the website states that the UN Secretary-General has created a UN system HLPF Task Team to contribute to substantive preparations for the Summit. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, UNGA President, has appointed the Permanent Representative of El Salvador to serve as the facilitator for informal consultations on the organization of activities for the Summit, and the Permanent Representatives of Bahamas and Sweden as co-facilitators for the political declaration to be adopted at the Summit.

On documentation, the website says the Summit will be informed by the UN Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), the report of the UN Secretary-General on progress towards the SDGs, a Sustainable Development Outlook 2019, and reports prepared by various entities from the UN system. It also indicates that the Summit will be complemented by a range of events to enhance global attention and action towards SDG implementation, including side events and special events in the margins of the Summit, and meetings of civil society organizations. It reports that the media and social media tools will be mobilized, a SDG media zone will be established, and exhibitions will be used for sharing information and advocacy.

The Summit-level HLPF in 2019 will take place in addition to the yearly HLPF convened by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) each July to review progress, examine obstacles, exchange best practices, and recommend new actions to achieve the Goals. The July 2019 session will take place from 9-18 July, and will consider the theme ‘Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality.’ [SDG Summit 2019 Website]


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