High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

The sixth session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2018), took place at UN Headquarters in New York under the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), between July 16 to 18.

The theme of this edition was: ‘Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies’and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under review were:

SDG 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all;
SDG 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all;
SDG 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable;
SDG 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns;
SDG 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss;
SDG 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated thatthis an opportunity recommit to the 2030 Agenda, assess where we are and what needs to be done ahead. At the HLPF, more than a thousand government, business and civil society leaders have been taking stock of progress made towards meeting the 2030 Global Goals, and what help countries need to accelerate progress.

Mr. Guterres underscored that greenhouse gas emissions must be brought under control and that there was a lack of political will to meet commitments, announcing that he would convene a Climate Summit in September “to galvanize greater climate ambition.”

ECOSOC President Marie Chatardová mentioned progress in access to electricity, currently at 71%, up 10% on 1990, although there are still 1 billion people remaining in the dark.

“There is progress, but generally not at a sufficient speed to realize the SDGs by 2030,” Ms. Chatardová said.