Follow the 2024 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

The HLPF kicks off on July 8th, here’s everything you need to know

Published in

SDG Counting

6 min read3 days ago

Every July, world leaders and global experts gather for the most important conversations on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, happening from July 8–18, is where these critical discussions take place. As the primary platform for assessing and reporting on the SDGs, the HLPF is the epicenter of decision-making and strategy-setting for sustainable development. This year, we’ll be covering the event live, bringing you timely updates and insights.

In this article, we’ll break down all the key information you need to make the most of the HLPF. Be sure to follow us here and on social media for ongoing updates.

Themes and Focus Areas
Content
- Plenaries
- VNRs and VNR Labs
- Special Events
- Side Events
How to Follow Along

Themes and Focus Areas

Each year, the HLPF centers its discussions around a specific theme. For 2024, the theme is “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.”

As the last major meeting before the Summit on the Future at the UN General Assembly, the HLPF will also serve as a crucial preparatory stage for this event. Themes and discussions from the forum are likely to carry forward to the summit. This ensures continuity and alignment in addressing the SDGs across major UN events.

Each year certain Sustainable Development Goals are highlighted. For 2024, the spotlight will be on the following SDGs:

SDG1: No Poverty
SDG2: Zero Hunger
SDG13: Climate Action
SDG16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals

Content

As a “forum,” the HLPF brings together many voices and conversations in various settings. In addition to the plenary sessions, the gathering includes Side Events, VNR Labs, Special Events, and Exhibitions. A full program of sessions is available on the HLPF website.

Plenaries

The plenary sessions at the HLPF are structured to address a wide range of critical topics essential for advancing the SDGs. These sessions will take place daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., offering a comprehensive examination of various themes and focus areas.

The first four days will consist of opening remarks, key themes, specific focus areas, and the SDGs in focus for this year, including SDG1 (No Poverty), SDG13 (Climate Action), and SDG16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). These discussions will explore integrated policies, partnerships, and transformative actions to accelerate progress on these goals.

From Friday to the following Wednesday, the sessions will primarily feature Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), where countries present their progress and challenges in achieving the SDGs (more on those below). This segment provides a platform for sharing experiences, lessons learned, and best practices.

The final day will wrap up with closing discussions, announcements, and additional focus areas, setting the stage for future actions and the upcoming Summit of the Future in September.

VNRs and VNR Labs

The Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) are a critical component of the HLPF, enabling member states to report on their progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These reviews, which are country-led and inclusive, provide a platform for sharing experiences, successes, challenges, and lessons learned. This year, 39 countries, including a large number of Low and Middle Income Countries, will present their VNRs. Each country submits a comprehensive written report and main messages summarizing key findings, all available in the VNR database.

The VNRs aim to strengthen policies and institutions while mobilizing multi-stakeholder support for the 2030 Agenda. They offer an invaluable opportunity for countries to demonstrate their commitment to transparency and accountability in sustainable development efforts.

Supplementing the VNRs, the VNR Labs provide informal settings for discussing cooperative approaches, data analysis, and the use of emerging technologies. These labs help enhance the effectiveness of the VNR process and foster a collaborative environment for accelerating the implementation of the SDGs.

Special Events

The 2024 HLPF features a diverse array of special events, designed to foster in-depth discussions and collaborations across key sectors. These events, organized in collaboration with various UN entities and stakeholders, aim to drive progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovative solutions and partnerships. Here are the events that will be hosted in 2024:

SDGs in Practice: Opening Segment (July 8)
Science Day (July 9)
Local2030 Coalition Special Event (July 10)
Local and Regional Governments Forum (July 11)
Special Event on Transforming Education (July 11)
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024 (July 15)
Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) Global Forum (July 15)
SDG Global Business Forum (July 16)
Bridging the Ambition Gap for the Future We Want through Climate and SDG Synergy (July 16)
SDG 6 and Water Action Agenda Special Event (July 16)
Parliamentary Forum (July 16)
Global Policy Dialogue with the High-Level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs (July 15)
Keeping the SDG Promise: Pathways to Acceleration (July 15)

These special events are essential for galvanizing broad ownership and engagement on the SDGs from key sectors, including higher education, the private sector, local authorities, and parliamentarians. A full list of details on the special events is available here.

Side Events

Side events at the HLPF are organized by Member States, the UN system, other intergovernmental organizations, and accredited stakeholders. These events provide additional opportunities to discuss the HLPF theme and the SDGs under review. Side events will be held in person, offsite, or virtually.

Here are some highlighted events we will be paying particular attention to:

Enhancing Data Strategies for VNR and VLR Digitization (July 9)
Unlocking SDG progress: Leveraging data insights from The SDG Report 2024 & the new UN Data platform (July 9)
Democratizing Gender Data for Better Policymaking (July 10)
WSIS towards Summit of the Future and Beyond (July 10)
Launch of Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2024 (July 15)
Citizen Data: towards more inclusive development & participatory decision-making (July 15)

Be sure to check the Side Events Schedule to find the sessions most applicable to your interests.

How to Follow Along

With so much happening, keeping up can be a challenge. Here’s how:

Familiarize yourself with the UN WebTV interface for live viewing of plenaries and many special events. This outlet serves as the primary repository for live events as well as replays of events you may have missed.
Check YouTube for live streams or uploads of sessions. This is especially important for following side events and catching behind the scenes interviews.
For side events, highlight the ones you’re interested in, check if registration is required, and ensure you have the correct platform available to attend virtually. Zoom in particular is often used by hosts to conduct their events.

Social Media

X/Twitter remains a vital source for timely information. In recent years, LinkedIn has also gained traction as a place for discussion. On both platforms, the hashtag #HLPF is primarily used by others discussing the forum and side events.

Finally, be sure to follow us on all our social media platforms for the most up-to-date information from HLPF 2024.

SDGCounting is a program of StartingUpGood and tracks the progress of counting and measuring the success of the SDGs. Follow us on social media:

For the latest on innovative entrepreneurship and social enterprise, check out StartingUpGood on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.

Disclaimer: Generative AI tools such as OpenAI’s GPT and Google’s Gemini were used in the creation of this article to assist with summarization and proof reading.