11 July 2019: Looking ahead to the UN General Assembly’s (UNGA) review of the functions of the HLPF, as well as the five-year milestone of SDG implementation, an event organized on the sidelines of HLPF 2019 shared civil society perspectives on how to organize the upcoming review and improve stakeholder engagement in the process.

The event highlighted the outcomes of surveys carried out at the national, regional and global levels, and presented recommendations included in the Principles Paper for HLPF review developed by civil society networks, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that the HLPF fulfils its mandates of tracking progress, providing political guidance, and identifying gaps on achieving the SDGs.

Recognizing the impact of the HLPF on regional and national implementation, the civil society initiative aimed to gather diverse voices to maximize the opportunity presented by the review process to improve global-level follow up and review mechanisms. During a panel discussion, speakers called for, among other issues: more ambition of the HLPF based on lessons learned; more time for presentation and discussion of Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) during the HLPF; a stronger focus on leaving no one behind; and better alignment and integration with other frameworks beyond the 2030 Agenda.

Discussing some priorities for the next review cycle, participants agreed that the HLPF should focus on the principle of leaving no one behind and enhanced civil society engagement, at early stages of political discussions. The discussion also stressed the need for more solidarity and recognition of the role of local and national governments as vital elements for a successful 2030 Agenda.

The event was co-organized by Together 2030, Action for Sustainable Development, the Transparency, Accountability, and Participation (TAP) Network, and Forus. [IISD RS Side Event Coverage, Thursday 11 July] [Principles Paper for HLPF Review]