It adopts negotiated declarations, reviews commitment and the progress of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs or Global Goals).
The Forum replaced the Commission on Sustainable Development on the 24 September 2013.[1] Meetings of the Forum are open to all Member States of the United Nations.
While under the auspices of the General Assembly: Once every four years at the level of Heads of State and Government for a period of two days.
While under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council: Yearly, for a period of eight days, including a three-day ministerial segment.
The HLPF was created with the aim to strengthen sustainable development governance at the United Nations. It works to achieve this through its mandate, which states the following in respect of sustainable development:
Resolution A/RES/66/288:
(a) Provide political leadership, guidance and recommendations for sustainable development;
(b) Enhance integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development...at all levels;
(c) Provide a dynamic platform for regular dialogue...to advance sustainable development;
(d) Ensuring the appropriate consideration of new and emerging sustainable development challenges;
(e) Follow up and review progress in the implementation of previous United Nations sustainable development commitments;
(g) Improve cooperation and coordination within the United Nations system on sustainable development programmes and policies;
(i) Promote the sharing of best practices and experiences relating to the implementation of sustainable development;
(j) Promote system-wide coherence and coordination of sustainable development policies;[2]
Resolution A/RES/67/290:
(a) Provide political leadership, guidance and recommendations for sustainable development,
(b) Follow up and review progress in the implementation of sustainable development commitments,
(c) Enhance the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development in a holistic and cross-sectoral manner at all levels;
(d) Ensure the appropriate consideration of new and emerging sustainable development challenges;
(e) Devote adequate time to the discussion of the sustainable development challenges facing developing countries;[3]
Sustainable Development Commitments Review
The Forum is responsible for the follow up and the review of progress of implementation of the following sustainable development commitments:[2]
As well as the relevant outcomes of other United Nations summits and conferences.
Meeting themes
Every year since 2013, the HLPF has held a session. The meetings are held in July. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the forum took place virtually in 2020 for the first time.[4]
Year
Auspices
Dates
Theme
Ref
2024
ECOSOC
8-17 July
"Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions"
"Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels"
"Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development"
"Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development" (due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the forum took place virtually in 2020 for the first time).
At the 2012 Conference on Sustainable Development, or Rio+20, it was decided that the Commission would be replaced by the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. This new Forum would meet under the auspices of both the Economic and Social Council, as well as the General Assembly. The Forum was formally created by Resolution 67/290 on 9 July 2013.[3]
