2023 marks the mid-point of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the international situation has changed significantly since 2015 when the 2030 Agenda was adopted. Progress towards most of the SDGs is off track. The world is grappling with severe financial, energy, food and humanitarian crises triggered or amplified by the war in Ukraine. These compound the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate emergency, against the backdrop of a worsening macroeconomic situation in many countries.

In this context, the 2023 meeting of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) convened under the theme, “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.” The session also supported the mid-term review of the implementation of the SDGs and served as a key preparatory event for the 2023 SDG Summit in September under the auspices of the UN General Assembly. The HLPF helped identify substantive priorities and generate political momentum for the Summit, which will bring together Heads of State and Government to carry out a comprehensive review of the state of the SDGs, respond to the impact of the multiple and interlocking crises facing the world, and provide political guidance on transformative and accelerated actions to achieve the goals by 2030.

The July HLPF also conducted in-depth reviews of SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy, SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and SDG 17 on partnerships for the Goals, as well as their interrelations. Participants further discussed the effective and inclusive recovery measures to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the SDGs and explore actionable policy guidance for the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at all levels.

Forty countries, including the European Union, presented their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of their implementation of the 2030 Agenda during second week’s ministerial segment.

The HLPF convened from 10-19 July 2023 at UN Headquarters in New York. Other events, including side events, VNR labs, special events, and an exhibition, also took place on the margins.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting were Keith Ripley; Pam Chasek, Ph.D.; Anna Dubrova; Wangu Mwangi; and Emma Vovk. The Photographer was Kiara Worth, Ph.D. The Editor was Pam Chasek, Ph.D.