“Are you listening?” On the last day of the 2024 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the interconnectedness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) came full circle. During the first week, the Forum reviewed SDG 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions. On Wednesday, delegates were challenged to uphold their commitments to rebuilding trust and “light the path ahead” towards a just and sustainable future. Many drove home a message of solidarity, emphasizing that crises have no borders, and “there can be no sustainable development without peace, and no peace without sustainable development.”
The general debate on the path from the 2023 SDG Summit towards the Summit of the Future continued, with 38 contributions by high-level government officials, and 31 by representatives of Major Groups and other Stakeholders.
Some suggested the Summit of the Future could be used to future proof the SDGs; send a strong political signal on the need for the reform of multilateral institutions, including those working on financing development; and contribute to a restoration of trust in the “broken” social contract. Others stressed that the draft Pact for the Future is not transformative enough, and called for scaled up action to meet the ambition of the SDGs.
The 2024 HLPF adopted a Ministerial Declaration following two votes: to include a last-minute addition on economic sanctions, or unilateral coercive measures; and to retain text recognizing the importance of peace and security to achieving the SDGs, including a call to uphold the right to self-determination of peoples living under colonial and foreign occupation. The Declaration identifies current challenges, and future actions and investment pathways to reinforce the 2030 Agenda and deliver on the SDGs.
The first vote related to an amendment introduced by Nicaragua on behalf of several other countries. He underlined the negative impacts of “unilateral coercive measures” on the sustainable development aspirations of developing countries, and urged the HLPF not to continue to overlook the realities of these impacts, such as lack of access to medicines and medical equipment.
The UK opposed the amendment, lamenting its late introduction and efforts to “cherry pick” from the 2030 Agenda. He stressed autonomous sanctions support the fundamental purposes of the UN Charter, and ensure compliance with human rights. The amendment was then put to a vote with 105 voting in favor, 11 voting against, and 46 abstaining. Following the vote, the EU and others dissociated themselves from the adopted amendment.
The second vote related to a paragraph in the draft Declaration for which the “silence procedure” had been broken. Uganda, representing the G-77/China, expressed disappointment in this call for a vote regarding the retention of a paragraph recognizing that sustainable development cannot be realized without peace and security, and that peace and security will be at risk without sustainable development. He explained that countries in conflict and those under occupation experience specific structural issues requiring targeted national support, state building, and sustainable development.
Israel noted that, in spite of the Co-Facilitators’ efforts, there had been no consensus on the draft paragraph and some countries had “insisted on placing narrow political considerations” ahead of a global consensus on the SDGs. In the vote, 122 delegations voted for, 2 voted against, and 39 abstained. The paragraph was retained in the Ministerial Declaration.
Throughout the day, ten countries presented their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Austria, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritius, Congo, Oman, Brazil, and Vanuatu presented their second reviews; Ecuador and Namibia presented for the third time; and Mexico presented their fourth VNR report.
The presenters highlighted lessons learned since previous reports, and outlined successes and challenges in integrating civil society in sustainable development plans. Addressing the slow progress made in achieving the SDGs, one presenter encouraged Member States to think beyond the 2030 deadline: “The UN has given us a benchmark, but the sky is the limit for all of us.”
In closing statements, Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the UN, underlined that the SDGs continue to inspire, unite, and mobilize efforts worldwide, noting the 2030 Agenda remains the only blueprint to advance sustainable development. Paula Narváez, President, UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), stressed the HLPF is fulfilling its mission to assess progress, share lessons learned, and discuss priorities. Noting HLPF 2024 has demonstrated it is not too late to make sustainable development a reality, she brought the Forum to a close at 6:10pm.
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All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For HLPF 2024, please use: Photo by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth.
Voluntary National Reviews
Tarek Ladeb, Vice-President, ECOSOC, chairs a VNR session
Equatorial Guinea's VNR report highlights the importance of working towards SDG 13 (climate action)
Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, Minister, Planning and Economic Diversification, Equatorial Guinea
Karoline Edtstadler, Federal Minister, EU and Constitution, Federal Chancellery, Austria
Austria's VNR report highlights how the empowerment of women is streamlined across all activities
Mauritius' VNR report highlights their focus on the blue economy
Purmanund Jhugroo, Ambassador of Mauritius to the US
Delegates take photos
Congo's VNR report focuses on the importance of achieving food security
Ingrid Olga Ghislaine Ebouka-Babackas, Minister of Planning, Statistics and Regional Integration, Congo
Sariha Moya, National Planning Secretary, Ecuador
Ecuador highlights the methodology followed to produce their VNR report
Bob Rae, Vice-President, ECOSOC
Said Mohammed Al Saqri, Minister of Economy, Oman
Oman's VNR report highlights the importance of protecting the environment
Márcio Macedo, Minister, General Secretariat of the Presidency, Brazil
Brazil's VNR report highlights that 'Brazil is back on track' and is committed to achieving the SDGs
Namibia's VNR report highlights the challenges of addressing inequality
Sylvester Mbangu, Chief National Development Advisor, National Planning Commission, Namibia
Raquel Buenrostro Sánchez, Secretary of Economy, Mexico
As Mexico presents their fourth VNR, they indicate the progress they have made over the years
Vanuatu's VNR report highlights how they integrate cultural heritage and citizen empowerment
Odo Tevi, Permanent Representative of Vanuatu to the UN
General Debate: From the SDG Summit to the Summit of the Future
The General Debate continues in the Trusteeship Chamber
Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN
Diego Pary Rodríguez, Permanent Representative of Bolivia to the UN
Sidi Mohamed Laghdaf, Permanent Representative of Mauritania to the UN
Kyaw Moe Tun, Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the UN
Closing of HLPF 2024
The meeting room is full as delegates gather for the closing of HLPF 2024
José Blanco, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the UN, and Co-Facilitator of the informal negotiations on the Ministerial Declaration
Merete Fjeld Brattested, Permanent Representative of Norway to the UN, and Co-Facilitator of the informal negotiations on the Ministerial Declaration
Paula Narváez, President, ECOSOC
Mathu Joyini, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN
Jaime Hermida Castillo, Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the UN
Delegates vote on various aspects of the Ministerial Declaration
HLPF delegates vote on whether to adopt an amendment to the Ministerial Declaration to include a reference to the use of "unilateral coercive measures" (economic sanctions) against some member states
In a second vote, delegates agreed to retain a paragraph in the Ministerial Declaration recognizing the link between peaceful, just and inclusive societies and achievement of sustainable development.
Delegates take photos of the voting results
Delegates watch the proceedings from the gallery
Tom Woodroffe, UK
Taonga Mushayavanhu, Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe to the UN
Various delegates deliver statements about the Ministerial Declaration
Rebecca Bryant, Permanent Representative of Australia to the UN
Axel de La Maisonneuve, EU
Delegates applaud the work done as HLPF 2024 is gaveled to a close
Around the Venue
The IISD/ENB team covering HLPF 2024: Peter Doran, Ireland; Tomilola Akanle, Nigeria; Wangu Mwangi, Kenya; Emma Vovk, France/Scotland; and Kiara Worth, South Africa
Members of UN DESA Secretariat work behind the scenes
Delegates prepare for the day
UN DESA family photo
Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Delegates between sessions
The Sing for Hope choir performs at UN Headquarters
