Udenrigsudvalget 2021-22
URU Alm.del Bilag 217
Offentligt
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2022 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
Concept Note
“Building back better from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the
full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”
Introduction
The high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF) will take place from
Tuesday, 5 July, to Thursday, 7 July, and from Monday, 11 July, to Friday, 15 July 2022. This
includes the three-day ministerial segment of the forum from Wednesday, 13 July, to Friday, 15
July 2022, as a part of the High-level Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
With 2022, we have entered the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, that has inflicted
unprecedented human suffering and, with its combined social, economic, and health impact,
has outpaced any other major crisis in recent history. The HLPF will take stock of the impact
of COVID-19 on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the
achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The HLPF will also provide
political leadership, guidance and recommendations on how to advance the full
implementation of the 2030 Agenda during the Decade of Action and Delivery, as part of
ensuring sustainable, inclusive and resilient recovery from the pandemic.
The HLPF in 2022 will also conduct an in-depth review of Sustainable Development Goals 4 on
quality education, 5 on gender equality, 14 on life below water, 15 on life on land, and 17 on
partnerships for the Goals. The forum will take into account the different and particular impacts
of the COVID-19 pandemic across all SDGs and the integrated, indivisible and interlinked
nature of the Goals. The forum will also start to discuss the preparations of the 2023 SDG
Summit.
The present note outlines key aspects of the programme of the HLPF and its preparations. The
programme of the 2022 HLPF and the High-level Segment of ECOSOC is available on the HLPF
2022 website:
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf#hlpf2022.
Background
Human beings and societies are adaptable and have adapted to the exigencies of life in a global
pandemic, to varying degrees. Even with such adaptation, however, the pandemic has imposed
huge human costs. Large-scale economic disruption has increased the poverty, hunger and
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economic vulnerability of hundreds of millions of people. Health impacts have included, in
addition to disease and deaths caused by the pandemic, deteriorations of mental health.
Violence against women and children has increased. Education shifted in many countries from
in-person to online instruction, but for many students around the world the latter has been a
far-from-perfect substitute for the former, given inequalities in access to internet. Vaccination
and care for diseases other than COVID-19 has stalled. Given unequal access to financial
resources and to the vaccine, countries differ widely in their ability to cushion employment and
income shocks through social protection measures.
Even before the pandemic, progress towards the SDGs was uneven across goals and countries,
with many developing countries lagging behind on goals and targets measuring basic human
well-being (poverty rates, food security, access to affordable health care). Many developed
countries lagged behind on the environment-focused goals, and on tackling climate change. The
pandemic has set back progress towards the SDGs almost everywhere and slowed
implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Extraordinary efforts will be needed to make up lost ground and accelerate progress. To some
degree, extraordinary measures have been taken by governments in the wake of the pandemic
to cushion the impact on the poor and vulnerable populations.
Yet, inequalities across countries translate into wide discrepancies in the affordability and
implementation of emergency social protection measures and stimulus packages. We have been
starkly reminded of those inequalities by the pandemic itself – notably, in the different and of
vulnerabilities of different social groups within countries. Inequalities in access to life-saving
vaccines and therapeutics across countries and regions have caused many deaths and hinder
recovery, in the poorest countries but also in the world as a whole. The world’s economic
recovery has been slowing down due to new variants of the virus.
If the 2030 Agenda is to be fully implemented and the SDGs fully achieved, a dramatic
reduction in global inequalities and in inequalities within countries is needed. Reducing them
will result from a combination of more effective governance at multiple levels: increased access
to financial resources in developing countries and investment in the SDGs, including health,
education, employment opportunities, social protection policies as well as fiscal measures
aimed at mitigating domestic social exclusion and inequality. Trade and access to technologies
are also critical.
Looking ahead to the coming few years, the international community, countries and other
actors still have an historic opportunity to restore progress towards poverty eradication,
substantially reduce global inequalities, address the environmental and climate crisis, as
countries work to recover and build back better from this pandemic. The 2030 Agenda provides
the best available framework for guiding us in this endeavor. Seizing this opportunity will
require major adjustments in international financial and economic systems, in national policies
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The HLPF will analyze whether policies and initiatives implemented at national and
international level in the context of the recovery from COVID-19 are actually likely to reverse
negative trends on the SDGs and launch accelerated progress. It will discuss lessons learned,
good practices, course-correction that appear to be needed in light of countries’ ongoing efforts
to recover better. It will also examine critical actions to support the poorest countries through
international solidarity and notably ensure more equal access to the vaccine, financial resources
and technology. The Forum will also reflect on the possible impacts of current economic,
financial and monetary policies in developed countries on developing countries’ debt and
financial space.
Key issues to be addressed in the programme
The programme of the 2022 HLPF will assess the global situation regarding the SDGs and the
impact of the pandemic. It will support discussions and peer learning to identify policies,
strategies and actions to overcome the pandemic and its impacts while triggering the deep
changes and transition we need to accelerate the realization of the SDGs. It will build
momentum and inspire international solidarity and multilateral cooperation.
The various sessions will thus focus on:
•
Building back better and advancing the SDGs.
This session will build on the
Secretary-General’s SDG progress report. It will allow an exchange of experience on
policies and integrated approaches that are being implemented to address the impacts
of COVID-19 and achieve sustainable, resilient and inclusive recovery. This session
will also be informed by the findings of the Voluntary National Reviews and the
experiences of countries at various development levels, including middle-income
countries and countries in special situation, experts and different actors. There will be
discussions on whether our response to COVID-19 is advancing sustainable
development – economic, social and environmental dimensions and how it can be
accelerated while leaving no one behind.
Reviewing the five SDGs in focus in 2022
through meetings on:
o
Quality education (SDG 4)
o
Gender equality (SDG 5)
o
Life below water (SDG 14)
o
Life on land (SDG 15)
o
Partnerships (SDG 17)
The meetings on each SDG will first conduct an in-depth review of the situation on
that SDG. The second part of the meetings will focus on the interlinkages, synergies
and trade-offs among that SDG and with the rest of the 2030 Agenda and practical
ways to leverage these to accelerate progress.
•
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•
SDG 17
will be addressed throughout the programme in each SDGs session
together with the SDGs to be reviewed, and through dedicated meetings on
investing in SDGs, on mobilizing science, technology and innovation and
strengthening the science-policy-society interface, and on other aspects of SDG 17
including capacity development and partnerships. The discussions will build on
the outcomes of 2022 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development follow-up,
the Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the
SDGs, and the ECOSOC Partnership Forum. On this basis, the HLFP will address
urgent measures to respond to the debt crisis and mobilize investment for a
sustainable, resilient and inclusive recovery. The debate will also focus on longer
term measures to mobilize means of implementation for the SDGs and strengthen
international cooperation and solidarity. It will also address changes necessary to
ensure that developing countries have access to the scientific knowledge and
technologies they need to recover and embark on accelerated SDG progress.
Ensuring access to vaccines and resources to support the recovery and
SDG progress.
The HLPF will address the importance of equitable access to
vaccine and therapeutics and how to support the response and recovery in the
special context of African countries, LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS while reviewing the
impact of COVID-19 on their SDG progress. The special challenges faced by
middle-income countries will also receive dedicated attention.
The regional dimension of the recovery from COVID-19 and the
regional situation regarding the SDGs
will be analyzed, building on the
outcomes of the regional sustainable development forums and the work of the
United Nations regional commissions.
Exploring subnational and local dimensions.
Cities and regions have a
major role in implementing the SDGs. Many have been conducting voluntary local
reviews of their implementation of the SDGs and the HLPF could learn from those
reviews and reflect on their link with national reviews.
As in the past,
major groups and other stakeholders (MGoS)
will organize
a meeting on the theme of the HLPF and leaving no one behind.
Time will be dedicated to the preparations of the September
2023 SDG Summit
(HLPF under the auspices of the General Assembly) and ways to accelerate SDG
progress and the recovery by the time of Summit through its preparations. The
HLPF will also reflect on ways to maximize the impact of the Summit on SDG
progress, policies and international solidarity.
•
•
•
•
•
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Voluntary National Reviews
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Forty-five countries will be presenting VNRs at the 2022 HLPF: 12 first timers, 28 second
timers, 3 third timers and 2 fourth timers. Since the meeting is being planned to be
predominantly in person, it is envisaged that the first timers will have 15 minutes for
presentation and 20 minutes for Q&A. The second, third and fourth timers will have 10
minutes for presentation and 15 minutes for Q&A. The first timers will choose whether to
present in an individual format or in a panel with other countries. The second, third and fourth
timers will present in a panel format. More information on VNRs is available at:
https://sustainabledeve1opment.un.org/vnrs/.
In case circumstances would not allow for an
in-person meeting, the time for VNR presentations would have to be shortened in line with
previous years, namely 30 minutes for the first timers and 20 minutes for second and
subsequent timers.
General debate
The general debate of the ECOSOC High-Level Segment, which also serves as the general debate
for the HLPF, will be conducted through pre-recorded videos and the submission of written
statements that will be posted on the websites of ECOSOC (https://www.un.org/ecosoc/en)
and HLPF (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf#hlpf2022).
Preparations for the HLPF
A number of meetings and events are being convened by the UN system and other international
and regional organizations to prepare for the thematic reviews of the SDGs, including notably
the regional forums for sustainable development and various discussions on the theme. Several
expert group meetings will be supported by UN DESA bringing together governments, the UN
system, experts and stakeholders to discuss specific SDGs under review and their
interrelations. Conferences and meetings are also being organized by other actors and
countries such as the Conference on SDG 16 co-organized by DESA, IDLO and Italy.
Global and regional workshops are also being organized by DESA and the UN regional
commissions to support countries preparing their VNRs. More information is available at:
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/vnrs/.
The Group of Friends of VNRs, co-chaired by the Permanent Representatives of Morocco and
the Philippines, is assisting countries to prepare the interaction on their VNR at the HLPF.
Ministerial Declaration and other outcomes
The HLPF will adopt a Ministerial Declaration at the end of its ministerial days. The
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information on the intergovernmental negotiation of the Ministerial Declaration is available on
the HLPF 2022 website:
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf#hlpf2022.
The President of ECOSOC will also produce an informal summary of the HLPF after the
meeting.
The 2022 HLPF will also be used as an opportunity to share information about new and
ambitious SDG actions and initiatives by participating States, including the VNR countries, the
UN system and other stakeholders as was done at the 2021 HLPF. New Acceleration Actions
can be submitted on DESA's online
SDG Acceleration Actions platform
which collects and
shares information about such new initiatives.
Format
All meetings of HLPF and High-level Segment of ECOSOC will be in-person. Participants will
be informed in case a change is needed due to the circumstances and advice related to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
The meetings on the VNRs will include comments and questions by the friends of VNRs, but
also any other countries wishing to take the floor. There will be coordinated interventions by
the major groups and other stakeholders as in the past.
The first week will include moderated thematic panels opened with short presentations by not
more than three panelists and two lead discussants in order to leave enough time for interactive
discussion among participants, townhall discussions and other formats.
As in previous years, ministerial participation is strongly encouraged throughout the HLPF.
Countries are expected to present their VNRs at a ministerial level, as usually done.
Participating States are encouraged to include ministers and representatives of various
ministries and sectors in their delegations, including during the first five days. Representatives
of major groups and other stakeholders will also participate.
Last day of the ECOSOC High-Level Segment
The last day of the ECOSOC High-level Segment will be held on Monday, 18 July, following the
conclusion of the HLPF. It will include a session on
“
Future proofing multilateralism for a
resilient and inclusive recovery”. There will also be a panel on possible scenarios and future
trends related to the SDGs and the recovery from COVID-19 and its impact on world economies
and societies.
Special events, side events, VNR Labs and exhibitions
As in previous years, DESA is planning to organize a number of high-profile Special Events in
collaboration with key UN partners and other actors, to galvanize the engagement of key sectors
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of society around SDG implementation and build their ownership and engagement with the
2030 Agenda. The Special Events expected to be conducted mainly virtually, however, some
in-person engagement might be considered conditions permitting.
DESA will also coordinate a programme of side events, VNR Labs and exhibitions. The deadline
for submission of proposals for side events and exhibitions will be 31 May 2022. All side
events, VNR Labs and exhibitions will be held in a virtual format. The guidelines for the side
events and exhibitions including registration link and form are available on the HLPF 2022
website:
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf#hlpf2022.
Exhibitions will be selected based on their relevance to the theme and SDGs under review and
their innovative formats, notably for virtual exhibitions.
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