Date of Meeting: July 5 to 15 July 2022

Meeting Organiser: ECOSOC

ISJC Staff Present: Major Victoria Edmonds

Reporter: Major Victoria Edmonds

Which SDG does this topic cover? SDG #4,5,14,15, and 17

Type of meeting: Annual voluntary of countries on the SDGs

Summary of presentation of information

The HLPF is the central United Nations platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the global level. It is the apex of the architecture for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda established by the 2030 Agenda and General Assembly resolution 70/299.

The theme of the High-Level segment is Building Back Better from the effects of COVID 19, while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development.

  • Five of the SDGs were under review 4,5,14,15 and 17
  • The High-Level Event lasted 9 days
  • 44 Countries presented their Voluntary National Reviews (VNR)
    • Andorra, Argentina, Belarus, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, ElSalvador, Equatorial,Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, GuineaBissau, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Montenegro, Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe , Senegal, Somalia, SriLanka, Sudan, Suriname, Switzerland, Togo, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay
  • Attendant by more than 140 Heads of State and Governments, Prime Ministers, Ministers, Vice-Ministers and Ministerial Level officials.
  • There were 214 keynote speakers, panelists, lead discussants, respondents, moderator panels and a fireside chat.
  • 8 Special Events
  • 18 Voluntary National Review Labs
  • 273 Side Events
    • Side Events provide great opportunities to discuss themes and the SDGs under review at the HLPF, deepen the discussion on VNRs, identify new issues, listen to all voices, and help spread greater awareness of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs in general at all levels.
  • 11 Exhibitions

Outcomes from the High-Level Political Platform

  • The SDG in most cases will not be achieved because of the setback from COVID-19
  • Countries are coping with existing and emerging challenges while experiencing recurring global shocks due to the pandemic and other factors. Sustaining SDG progress from previous years and containing and addressing negative impacts on the SDGs has become difficult, while challenges are expanding and creating setbacks in multiple sectors.
  • All VNRs provide a clear picture of the impacts of the global shocks felt around the world, which have caused setbacks in progress toward the SDGs. Countries describe how the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of multiple conflicts, have taken a toll on the economy, supply chains, energy, food security and people’s well-being.
  • Preparation for the Transforming Education Summit during the General Assembly.
  • With the spread of COVID-19 and its major impacts on the economy, countries experienced worrying impacts in the education sectors. With the deterioration of in-person learning, countries have experienced loss in learning, lower enrollment, and increased dropout rates. There have also been issues with accessibility for vulnerable students, which have had a greater impact comparatively on adolescent girls, exposing gaps within the education system. A rise in reports of gender-based violence and early marriage demonstrate the deeper impacts of the pandemic on women and girls, especially those already in vulnerable situations and rural communities.
  • Getting vaccinations for COVID-19
  • The economic shocks felt around the world due to COVID-19 impacted every sector. They affected vulnerable communities the most. Multiple countries experienced a reduction in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate, which negatively impacted the social situation.
  • For many countries, COVID-19 exacerbated high levels of poverty
  • Water at the center of climate adaptation. Forging inclusive partnership in the run-up to the UN 2023 Water Conference.
  • A call for increased Climate action as a critical factor in achieving the goal.
  • Climate change is a treat with a potential to worsen some of humanity’s greatest challenges, including health, poverty and hunger.
  • Climate action is critical and necessary

Web links for more information

High-Level Political Forum 2022 (un.org)