The co-facilitators for an intergovernmental review of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) are preparing for the second round of discussions. Ahead of the virtual exchange on 5 February 2021, they are asking UN Member States to address specific several questions, building on the first informal consultations that took place on 25 January 2021.
In a letter to UN Member States on 28 January 2021, Alexander Marschik, Permanent Representative of Austria, and Cheikh Niang, Permanent Representative of Senegal, provide guiding questions relating to strengthening the HLPF as well as the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The two reviews are being conducted jointly following mandates in UNGA resolutions 67/290, 70/299, 72/305, and 74/298.
Governments will discuss potential themes and SDGs for in-depth review during the HLPF sessions in 2022 and 2023.
For the review of HLPF, guiding questions address potential themes and SDGs for in-depth review during the HLPF sessions in 2022 and 2023, as these have not yet been agreed. Other guiding questions cover the broader issue of strengthening various features of the Forum (e.g. Voluntary National Reviews, linkages with regional forums, and the sessions held at summit level under UNGA auspices every four years). Another guiding question asks how the HLPF review can account for the SDG targets that had a 2020 deadline.
For the ECOSOC review, the co-facilitators seek Member States’ views on changes that could better equip the Council to oversee the UN development system’s operational activities, and channel the contributions of various bodies towards implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Other guiding questions relate to: the ECOSOC calendar and sequencing of segments and events; ways for ECOSOC help countries recover from COVID-19 and get back on track for the SDGs; making ECOSOC more understandable to “outsiders”; and strengthening the contribution of major groups and other stakeholders and enhancing the participation of civil society, the private sector, local governments, and scientists.
Following the virtual consultation on 5 February, the co-facilitators will prepare a zero draft of a resolution for discussion on 19 February. Additional consultations are scheduled for 26 February, 11 March, 19 March, and 31 March. The co-facilitators aim to finalize negotiations by the end of March to avoid competing with other processes.
The co-facilitators note that they are committed to a “completely open, transparency and inclusive” process. [Letter from co-facilitators] [Background information on review process]