In preparation for the July session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the German international cooperation agency convened an event that brought together local stakeholders to distill key messages for the German delegation to deliver at the HLPF.

This year, the HLPF addresses the theme, ‘Transformative, equitable, innovative, and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for a sustainable future for all.’ The in-focus SDGs that will undergo in-depth review are SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals).

Organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the eighth German HLPF Conference was co-hosted by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It took place on 16 April 2026. An Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) briefing note provides a summary of the discussions.

Enjoying this article? Make sure you always catch our coverage by subscribing to our SDG Update newsletter.

In his welcoming remarks, Carsten Schneider, Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety, emphasized Germany’s “continuous resolve to live up to the SDGs and ensure a sustainable life for all, not just in Germany, but all around the [globe].”

In a video message from the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Reem Alabali Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, highlighted the importance of supporting a strong multilateral system – “now more than ever.” She said German development cooperation aims to be “more strategic, focused, and guided by partnerships around common interests and values.”

Sessions highlighted municipal contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and made an economic case for pursuing climate resilience. Discussions on the SDGs that will be in focus at the HLPF took place in a World Café format.

Presenting “Team Germany at HLPF 2026,” speakers highlighted the participation of more than 40 stakeholder representatives in the German delegation, outlined engagement opportunities at the HLPF such as through the official German side event and a youth event, and emphasized the importance of fostering transnational stakeholder networking.

Key messages that emerged from the conference include:

• The success story of renewable energy expansion;
• Better communicating opportunities associated with sustainable transformation, including to counter populist narratives;
• Fostering progress on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, given that all three Rio Conventions hold their Conferences of the Parties (COPs) in 2026;
• Better leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in support of sustainable development;
• Championing subnational engagement and transitional city partnerships; and
• Showcasing Germany’s and the EU’s resolve to implement the 2030 Agenda in times of crises.

Offering concluding remarks, Constanze Neher, BMZ, stressed the need for whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches in the development of sustainability strategies, noting that multilateralism and sustainable development cooperation are now more urgent than ever. [ENB Coverage of Eighth German HLPF Conference]