Over a week of dialogue considering the world’s path towards a just and resilient future, calls for “putting people at the heart” of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development have been front and center. On day five of the 2024 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the voice of the people was heard loud and clear in a session dedicated to the perspectives of Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS).
Want to dig deeper into today's talks? Read the full Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily report.
The MGoS at HLPF comprise 21 autonomous and self-organized civil society groups and societal constituencies – some of which have deep roots in Indigenous, grassroots, and other social movements that laid the groundwork for advocacy and resistance in the face of unsustainable development. Moderator Oliver Henman, Co-Chair of the MGoS Coordination Mechanism, recalled his work as a child, remarking that he did not expect to “still be campaigning for the integration of social and ecological objectives thirty years later.”
Maritza Chan-Valverde, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN, emphasized the UN Charter’s reference to “we the peoples” is a reminder that the UN is not exclusively an organization of states. She described the rise of the #UNMute campaign – a coordinated effort that has attracted more than 50 Member States and more than 300 MGoS organizations – to enhance civil society inclusion in UN and other multilateral processes.
The remainder of the day was dedicated to ten countries’ Voluntary National Review (VNR) presentations. Palau, Belize, Mauritania, Eritrea, and Syria presented their second VNRs, while Georgia, Kenya, Chad, Zimbabwe, and Samoa presented their third VNRs. The reviews are a key peer reporting and implementation mechanism for the HLPF, often underlining the dynamic progress – as well as the challenges – that accompany local, national, and regional narratives, iterations, and approaches around the 2030 Agenda.
The ten countries reported on progress made in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts towards peacebuilding and democracy, and policy and planning innovations to tackle the SDGs under review this year, as well as their interlinkages to the other SDGs.
Other issues highlighted in the presentations included:
- struggles faced by youth in small island developing states regarding the loss of their cultural heritage as a result of globalization, climate change, and migration;
- localization of the SDGs through linkages between SDG indicators and domestic policy guidance and budgetary processes;
- increases in poverty and a reversal of development resulting from conflict and insecurity; and
- the social integration of internally displaced persons and refugees, including through the provision of health, education, and social services.
Focus was also given to the persistent challenges that countries still face, notably linked to geopolitical tensions and declining fiscal space in many regions. The MGoS’ deep engagement and stakes in the success of the 2030 Agenda was further articulated in the discussions following each presentation. Civil society constituency representatives seized the opportunity to quiz country delegations on issues ranging from their commitment to inclusiveness in the treatment of their LGBTI+ constituents, to their governments’ responsibility in inadequate or undermined progress towards the SDGs.
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All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For HLPF 2024, please use: Photo by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth.
Perspectives from Major Groups and Other Stakeholders: Partnerships for Transformative and Urgent Actions
Delegates gather to hear the perspectives from Major Groups and other Stakeholders
Frances Zainoeddin, UN Focal Point, Stakeholder Group on Ageing
Maritza Chan-Valverde, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN
Moderator Oliver Henman, Co-Chair, Coordination Mechanism for the Major Groups and other Stakeholders
Rey Asis, Program Coordinator, Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants
Jordania Urena, Deputy General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation
Major Groups and other Stakeholders watch the proceedings from the gallery
Caroline Rucah, Executive Director, Western Kenya LBQT Feminist Forum
Paul Divakar, Founder, The Inclusivity Project
Microphones go green as major group and observer delegates ask to take the floor
Kehkashan Basu, Economic Commission for Europe Regional Civil Society Engagement Mechanism
Noreen Kennedy, Business and Industry Major Group
Robeliza Halip, Indigenous Peoples Major Group
Leticia Leobet, NGOs Major Group
Youth delegates stand in solidarity as the representative from the MGCY delivers her statement
Voluntary National Reviews
The VNR presentations open with a traditional greeting from Dee Raya Antonio, Youth Representative, Palau
Gaafar Uherbelau, Minister of Health and Human Services, Palau
Palau's VNR report highlights their commitment to achieving the SDGs while sustaining cultural heritage
Kenya's VNR report highlights how the SDGs are aligned with national and sub-national frameworks
Monica Asuna, Director of Planning, National Treasury of Kenya
Lasha Darsalia, First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Georgia
Georgia's VNR report highlights how SDG implementation is prioritized at a municipal level
Kairat Umarov, Vice-President, UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
Belize highlights that their VNR was centered around five key pillars
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Belize
Abdessalam Ould Mohamed Saleh, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mauritania
Mauritania highlights that the multiple dimensions of poverty are a key challenge to achieving the SDGs
Zimbabwe highlights some of the key challenges faced in implementing the SDGs
July Moyo, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Zimbabwe
Delegates listen to the VNR presentations
Chad highlights the impact that climate change is having on achieving food security
Fatima Haram Acyl, Delegated Minister in charge of the Economy and Planning, Chad
Caleb Orozco, LGBTI Stakeholder Group
Elizabeth Bradley, Suriname
Eritrea's VNR report highlights the progress they have made in advancing SDG 5 (gender equality)
Sophia Tasfamariam, Permanent Representative of Eritrea to the UN
Syria's VNR report highlights the five components of their plan to achieve the SDGs
Koussay Aldahhak, Permanent Representative of Syria to the UN
Fatumanava-o-Upulo III Pa’olelei Luteru, Permanent Representative of Samoa to the UN
Fale Lesa, MGCY
Norbert Mao, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Uganda
Bob Rae, Vice-President, ECOSOC
Around the Venue
Delegates from Saudi Arabia consult
Delegates speak between sessions
Delegates speak informally
The Palau delegation
A children's choir performs in the lobby of UN Headquarters
