The multilateral system is facing deep challenges from many directions as delegates prepare for the 2024 session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2024). The implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have fallen behind as multiple, overlapping crises have negatively affected efforts to eradicate poverty and put the world on a sustainable course.

These crises, including geopolitical instability, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and conflict, have weakened parts of the global economy, pushed more people into poverty, increased debt levels, undermined food security, resulted in high educational losses, escalated humanitarian needs, and put the SDGs at risk. Vulnerable groups such as women and children have been particularly affected by the impact of these crises.

With this reality as backdrop, the annual session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) will convene under the theme “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.” This will be the first session of the HLPF since the SDG Summit in September 2023. The 2024 HLPF will support the implementation of the Political Declaration and other outcomes of the SDG Summit for advancing the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

During the first week, the HLPF, without prejudice to the integrated and interlinked nature of the SDGs, will focus on an in-depth review of:

• SDG 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere;
• SDG 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture;
• SDG 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts;
• SDG 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; and
• SDG 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

The forum will address the special challenges faced by countries in special situations. It will explore the regional and local dimensions of effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions regarding the SDGs. It will also include thematic discussions, with a session on implementing the outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS-4).

The presentation of voluntary national reviews (VNRs) will commence on Friday, 12 July. Thirty-eight countries will present reviews. 

A three-day ministerial segment, held jointly with the ECOSOC high-level segment, will take place from 15-17 July. The General Debate will address the theme, “From the SDG Summit to the Summit of the Future (22-23 September 2024).” There will be a focus on the multilateral system’s support for government and stakeholder commitments at the SDG Summit and support on addressing key global trends and their impacts on the realization of the SDGs by 2030.

The session will culminate in the adoption of a high-level negotiated ministerial declaration.

The 2024 session of the HLPF will take place from 8-17 July at UN Headquarters in New York.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting are Peter Doran, Ph.D.; Tomilola Akanle Eni-ibukun, Ph.D.; Wangu Mwangi; and Emma Vovk. The Photographer is Kiara Worth, Ph.D. The Editor is Pam Chasek, Ph.D.