World leaders and representatives from various countries recently gathered at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time – poverty. The HLPF serves as the principal global platform for monitoring and assessing progress towards the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The HLPF: An Overview
The HLPF was established in 2012 following the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as Rio+20, which produced the outcome document “The Future We Want.” This forum was mandated to replace the Commission on Sustainable Development, which had met annually since 1993. The HLPF convenes annually for eight days in July under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
A Crucial Mission: Eliminating Poverty
Poverty eradication remains a core mission of the HLPF, reflecting its alignment with SDG 1 – “No Poverty.” The forum recognizes that poverty is not merely an economic issue but a multidimensional problem that affects various aspects of human life, including access to education, healthcare, clean water, and decent work opportunities. By addressing poverty, the HLPF aims to ensure that no one is left behind and that sustainable development benefits all segments of society.
The Role of the HLPF
The HLPF is the principal United Nations platform on sustainable development. It plays a central role in the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the global level. The forum’s functions are multifaceted and include:
- Reviewing Progress on SDGs
One of the primary responsibilities of the HLPF is to review and assess the progress made by countries towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It provides a space for countries to present their voluntary national reviews (VNRs) – self-assessments of their efforts and achievements in implementing the SDGs. These reviews facilitate mutual learning, exchange of best practices, and identification of challenges that require global cooperation.
- Sharing Knowledge and Best Practices
The HLPF fosters the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices among countries and stakeholders. By sharing success stories and innovative approaches, the forum encourages collaboration and collective action in addressing poverty and promoting sustainable development. This knowledge-sharing contributes to building a global community committed to achieving the SDGs.
- Enhancing Policy Coherence
Achieving the SDGs necessitates coherent policies at national, regional, and international levels. The HLPF provides a space for countries to discuss their policy frameworks, align them with the 2030 Agenda, and identify areas where greater coherence is needed. This process helps in addressing potential policy conflicts and ensures that all efforts are directed towards the common goal of eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development.
- Mobilizing Resources
The HLPF recognizes the importance of financial resources in achieving the SDGs, especially those related to poverty eradication. It provides a platform for discussing and mobilizing resources, including financial support, technology transfer, and capacity-building assistance to developing countries. This aspect is crucial in supporting countries with limited resources in their sustainable development efforts.
