The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered the worst recession since 1930, caused immense suffering, and harmed efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the 2021 meeting of the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), governments will take stock of the impact of COVID-19 on the SDGs and provide recommendations on how to ensure recovery efforts put the world on track to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The forum will focus on the theme of “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: Building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development".

The Forum will also review the following SDGs in depth:

• SDG 1: No poverty
• SDG 2: Zero hunger
• SDG 3: Good health and well-being
• SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
• SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
• SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production
• SDG 13: Climate action
• SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
• SDG 17: Partnerships

The Forum will consider the integrated and interlinked nature of the SDGs and review the 19 SDG targets that were supposed to be completed by 2020. Participants will discuss the on-going intergovernmental processes for updating these targets and linkages with the work of the HLPF.

The HLPF will also assess the impacts of COVID-19 on the realization of the SDGs in countries in special situations, including least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing states and African countries. The Forum will also consider the special challenges faced by middle-income countries.

During the second week, 44 countries will present Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of their efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda, including 10 first timers, 24 second timers, and 10 third timers. Delegates will conduct the general debate of the ECOSOC High-Level Segment, which also serves as the general debate for the HLPF, through pre-recorded videos and the submission of written statements posted on the ECOSOC and HLPF websites.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin provided daily coverage of the session.