The HLPF is the United Nations’ main forum for addressing the global sustainable development agenda, meeting under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) every year, and under the auspices of the UNGA every four years. The 2030 Agenda adopted in 2015 by the UN Sustainable Development Summit calls on the HLPF to take on a central role in the follow-up and review process at the global level, to carry out voluntary state-led national reviews, and to provide a platform for partnerships.

Forty-four countries presented their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) during HLPF 2022, convened under the auspices of ECOSOC. These sessions facilitated the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned.

HLPF also began planning for the second “SDG Summit,” which will be convened in September 2023 during the UN General Assembly.

At the end of the Ministerial Segment, the HLPF adopted a 142-paragraph Ministerial Declaration that had been negotiated by Member States over a period of six months. The Ministerial Declaration contains the commitments of HLPF 2022 participants with regard to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) under review, pointing at the achievements thus far and the remaining gaps to be filled. The Declaration generally encourages the full, equal and meaningful participation of all relevant stakeholders, including local governments, civil society organisations and academia, in the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of national sustainable development strategies and in the preparation of VNRs. It notes with concern that the SDG targets with a 2020 deadline have not been fully achieved.

The Declaration recognises the Agenda 2030 and the SDGs as the blueprint for an inclusive, sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It notes with alarm that years, or even decades, of development progress have been halted or reversed, due to multiple and widespread impacts of COVID-19, conflicts, and climate change. It calls upon the international community to enhance international cooperation to preserve and strengthen global value and supply chains, in particular for essential goods and services, recognising also the urgency to ensure timely, affordable and equitable access to safe, effective and quality COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other health technologies.

More information:

• HLPF website
• HLPF 2022 website
• Ministerial Declaration
• HLPF 2022 IISD summary