The High-level political forum (HLPF) for sustainable development is the UN forum for global monitoring of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
General aspects
The High Level Political Forum (HLPF) summarized briefly :
- The HLPF is designed as a forum for States and actors to meet and exchange good practices for the implementation of the SDGs.
- It meets in New York under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) every year and every four years under the auspices of the UN General Assembly at the heads of state and government level.
- It is organized in two stages: a technical segment for discussions and preparations among experts, followed by a ministerial segment. The « Voluntary national reviews », which present the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by each State, are the highlight of the ministerial segment.
- « Parallel events » as well as « special events » are organized throughout the Forum on specific topics related to specific aspects of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
- Every four years, Heads of State and Government meet under the auspices of the UN General Assembly
The HLPF
Each year, the HLPF examines actions to achieve certain certain particular Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as SDG 17, dedicated to the implementation of the other 16 goals and related to partnerships.
HPLF 2016
France presented its approach to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through the realization of a Voluntary national review at the first FPHN organized in 2016. It has thus contributed, alongside 21 other pioneer States, to reinforcing the importance of the Forum’s role and the 2030 Agenda’s dynamic.
Informed by consultations with civil society, the report presented at the 2016 FPHN provides an initial assessment of the implementation of each of the 17 goals in France, identifying the main issues and challenges, the priorities of government action and good practices, in a knowledge-sharing spirit.
HLPF 2017
In 2017, the Forum’s theme was to « eradicate poverty and promote prosperity in a changing world. »
The 6 goals in focus were SDG 1 (Poverty) – SDG 2 (Food and Agriculture) – SDG 3 (Health and Well-being) –SDG 5 (Gender Equality) – SDG 9 (Infrastructure) – SDG 14 (Life in Water) as well as SDG 17 (Partnerships) which is reviewed annually.
Specific objectives analysed in 2017
In order to maintain a dynamic of accountability, France was keen to produce a « Progress report » on its SDGs implementation for the 2017 Forum. The preparation of the report was based on work and exchanges with stakeholders during collaborative workshops. The document was also the subject of a consultation with the National Council for Ecological Transition and the National Council for Development and International Solidarity.
HLPF 2018
In 2018, the Forum’s theme was « the transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies ».
France produced a new progress report for this edition which particularly focused on five goals: SDG 6 (Water and Sanitation) – SDG 7 (Clean energy) – SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) – SDG 12 (Consumption and Production) – SDG 15 (Life on Earth) which are mostly environmental goals as well as SDG 17 (Partnerships) which is reviewed annually.
the transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies
The 2018 Progress report was developed in accordance with the principles of participation, transparency, efficiency, and a multi-level approach. To this end, the participation of state and non-state actors was solicited in several workshops. The elaboration of the progress report was again based on work and exchanges with stakeholders during collaborative workshops and the document was also subject to a consultation with the National Council for Ecological Transition and the National Council for Development and International Solidarity. In addition, the progress report contains an annex coordinated by the Comité 21 association, which explains the contribution of civil society to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
70 The number of civil society actors who contributed to the civil society annex coordinated by the Comité 21.
Live from the HPLF 2018 : click here !
HLPF 2019
In 2019, the Forum’s theme was : « Empowering of people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality ».
The 5 goals particularly in focus were SDG 4 (Education) – SDG 8 (Decent Labor) – SDG 10 (Reducing Inequality) – SDG 13 (Climate Change) – SDG 16 (Peace and Justice) as well as SDG 17 (Partnerships) which is reviewed annually.
Specific objectives analysed in 2019
France produced a new progress report in 2019 on its commitment to the 2030 Agenda. It reports on the main actions implemented in one year: the multi-stakeholder development process of the Roadmap for France’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda; initiatives to raise awareness, inform and mobilize public and private actors committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and a presentation related to the six SDGs, which were reviewed this year at the forum.
Live from the HPLF 2019 : click here !
HPLF 2020
In 2020, the Forum’s theme was « Accelerated action and transformative pathways : realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development ».
An unusual context and a new format
The 2020 HLPF consecrated the launch of the decade of action for sustainable development as decided by the Heads of State and Government at the SDG summit in September 2019. It took place in the unprecedented context of the health, economic and social crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which caused significant setbacks around the world in the progress towards achieving the SDGs. The thematic sessions were placed under the theme of « building back better after COVID » as suggested by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.
Intended to be a forum for dialogue, a place rich in meetings and exchanges, the 2020 HLPF had to take up the challenge of an entirely dematerialized process: the States’ delegations were reduced to 10 people and only two national delegates at a time could connect to the internet platform. In this context, the role of civil society at the HLPF, sometimes contested by some States, was a major issue. Led by Finland, a pledge to support its presence was signed by about sixty States, including France, which insisted on reserving 4 places out of the 10 in its delegation for members of its civil society.
Live from the HPLF 2020 : click here !
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