The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) provides an annual check-in on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) implementation efforts. In July 2022, the HLPF focused on the theme “Building back better from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

Through discussions on this theme, UN Member States and representatives from intergovernmental organizations, civil society, and other stakeholders considered ways COVID-19 recovery policies can reverse the negative impacts of the pandemic on the SDGs and enable countries to move forward and realize the vision of the 2030 Agenda.

The HLPF also reviewed progress on five SDGs. The consideration of SDGs 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), 14 (life below water), 15 (life on land), and 17 (partnerships for the Goals) will consider the different impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic across all SDGs and the integrated, indivisible and interlinked nature of the Goals.

In addition, 44 countries presented their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). The VNRs facilitated the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The VNRs also sought to strengthen government policies and institutions and mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for SDG implementation. Eleven countries presented their VNRs for the first time, 28 for the second time, three for the third time, and two countries for the fourth time.

Among other agenda items, the HLPF also discussed planning for the second “SDG Summit,” which is the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development under the auspices of the General Assembly and will be convened in September 2023 during the General Assembly high-level week in New York.

HLPF 2022 convened under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) from 5-7 July and 11-15 July at UN Headquarters in New York. The meeting included a ministerial segment, from 13-15 July.