May 2019: In preparation for the July 2019 session of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the UN Secretariat has synthesized 62 voluntary submissions provided by UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) functional commissions and other intergovernmental bodies and forums. The note indicates insufficient progress on the 2030 Agenda, due partly to “silo thinking,” and a lack of resources, skills and awareness of the SDGs in many public sector organizations.

Overall, the publication indicates that gaps and challenges likely to affect the achievement of the 2030 Agenda are similar to previous years, and that insufficient statistical capacity remains one of the key issues.

The July 2019 HLPF will focus on the theme of empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality, and it will hold reviews of SDGs 4 (quality education), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 10 (reduced inequalities), 13 (climate action), 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and 17 (partnerships for the Goals). In line with the theme for the 2019 HLPF, this year’s Note assesses the situation regarding the principle of leaving no one behind, and outlines gaps and challenges likely to affect inclusiveness and equality and the achievement of the SDGs. It also discusses lessons learned on empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality, identifies areas where political guidance by the HLPF is required, and provides recommendations.

On climate change, miscommunication between the scientific community and decision-makers is a growing concern.

On leaving no one behind, the note reports that in a “significant share” of the least developed countries (LDCs), economic vulnerability has risen in recent years, with people being pushed further behind due to globalization, technological developments, the absence of adequate social protection, gender inequality, climate change and environmental degradation that leads to loss of access to land, livelihoods and jobs.

On SDG 4, the note indicates that out-of-school rates have almost stagnated in recent years, or increased in most marginalized or conflict zones. The authors add that a lack of education threatens people’s chances of securing decent work that respects fundamental human and labor rights (SDG 8). On SDG 10, the publication shows that wealth is being produced more than ever before, but it is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, and current trade tensions and trade-restrictive measures add to economic uncertainty.

On SDG 13, the note identifies miscommunication between the scientific community and decision-makers as a growing concern. It indicates that bold climate action could deliver at least USD26 trillion in economic benefits through 2030. It also warns of an “under-prioritization” of investment at scale in protecting and engaging poor and vulnerable citizens in climate adaptation processes.

On SDG 16, the note reports a rise in the number and scale of protracted crisis and displacement, with growing humanitarian needs globally. A disproportionate number of women and girls are affected by armed conflicts, and adversely targeted by the use of sexual violence. On SDG 17, the authors note progress on country ownership and “results orientation” towards the SDGs. However, it laments that while most countries have a mutual accountability framework in place, less than half are tracking that framework’s implementation.

The authors recommend, inter alia, to:

• Facilitate the meaningful participation and active consultation of children in the implementation, monitoring and follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda;
• Ensure gender-sensitive implementation efforts, with a focus on infrastructure, strengthening access to social protection and public services, and women’s effective participation in the labor force and political sphere;
• Mainstream the rights of persons with disabilities in the implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda through the development and use of disability-inclusive indicators;
• Ensure effective cross-sectoral collaboration and coordination to address the root causes of hunger and poverty, enhance resilience, preserve and restore biodiversity, and manage trade-offs between sectors; and
• Review fiscal policies to assess whether the collection of taxes on basic goods and services negatively affects those being left behind.

The note outlines also areas where guidance from the HLPF is required, such as: addressing issues that cut across the entire 2030 Agenda, such as sustainable water management, mainstreaming chemicals and waste management, and cultural heritage; identifying ways to leverage environmental policies to create more jobs, address youth unemployment and contribute to decent work; and catalyzing innovation while scaling up proven solutions to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.

The HLPF will convene in New York, US, from 9-18 July 2019, under the auspices of ECOSOC. It will also meet under the UNGA’s auspices in September 2019 at the level of heads of state and government. [Publication (updated with final version June 2019): Synthesis of Voluntary Submissions by Functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council and other Intergovernmental Bodies and Forums: Note by the Secretariat] [HLPF 2019 Webpage] [ECOSOC Subsidiary Bodies]