“Deep and formative tensions associated with the geopolitical and economic challenges confronting the multilateral system were a recurring theme at the 2024 session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).” This is the opening sentence of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) summary report of the meeting, which notes that two contested paragraphs of the Ministerial Declaration – the HLPF’s outcome document – were put to a vote as a result.

One paragraph recognized that sustainable development cannot be realized without peace and security. The other, newly proposed paragraph drew attention to the impact of unilateral coercive measures (economic sanctions) on poverty and food security, among other SDGs.

Following the votes, delegates adopted the Ministerial Declaration, which, according to the ENB summary report, “identifies the current situation and challenges, alongside future actions and investment pathways needed to reinforce the 2030 Agenda and deliver on the SDGs.”

On day one of the Forum, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua introduced headline messages from the UN Secretary-General’s 2024 SDG progress report. He said only 17% of SDG targets are on track to being achieved by 2030, reiterating the report’s call for bold action on peace and finance. He highlighted the Summit of the Future (SoF), the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), and the Second World Summit for Social Development as critical milestones in advancing the SDGs.

Per the ENB report, in her opening remarks, Chair Paula Narváez, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), described HLPF 2024 as “a critical moment of consequence and choice,” emphasizing that “the promise of sustainable development cannot be met in the absence of humanitarian and preventive interventions.”

Another recurring theme was the pressing debt crisis and its impact on the most vulnerable. UN Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Achim Steiner said “some countries can only service the interest on debts by ‘raiding’ budgets for healthcare, education, and welfare services.”

Abdullah Bin Ali Al Amri, Chairman, Environment Authority, Oman, and President of the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), reminded Member States that they gather also “as stewards of our planet, united by a common target to achieve the 2030 Agenda.”

HLPF 2024 convened on the theme, ‘Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: The effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.’ It “looked back at the 2023 SDG Summit,” ENB writes, “and forward to the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions.”

The Forum carried out in-depth review of five Goals – SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals). Its also featured in-depth sessions focusing on: science, technology, and innovation (STI); small island developing States (SIDS); African countries, least developed countries (LDCs), and landlocked developing countries (LLDCs); middle-income countries (MICs); and Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS) – alongside reports from the five UN regions, an ECOSOC ministerial segment, and a high-level general debate, which focused on linkages between the 2023 SDG Summit and the SoF in September 2024.

Delegates also exchanged experiences during the presentations of 36 voluntary national reviews (VNRs), which were characterized by a positive spirit, in stark contrast to the “fractious” closing debate. “The overarching message of the VNR presentations was that, despite many challenges, on the frontlines of SDG implementation differences are being set aside and multi-stakeholder partnerships taking hold to impact ‘real lives,’” ENB analysis of the meeting notes.

HLPF 2024 convened at UN Headquarters in New York, US, from 8-17 July 2024, under the auspices of ECOSOC. More than 250 high-level special events, VNR labs, side events, and exhibitions took place in person and online. Highlights including the launch of:

Science Day at HLPF 2024 featured dialogues on strategies and case studies for accelerating SDG implementation while ensuring it is as evidence-based, strategic, and effective as possible. [ENB Coverage of HLPF 2024]