He High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF)was held under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) from 8 to 18 July 2024 in New York, and reviewed progress towards 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under the theme “Strengthening the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: Effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions”, this year’s HLPF took an in-depth look at SDG 1: End of Poverty; SDG 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the SDGs. This was the first HLPF after the 2023 SDG Summit so it encouraged the implementation of the Political Declaration adopted at the Summit as the global rescue plan for people and the planet.
According to the SDG Report 2024only 17% of the SDG targets are on track to be achieved by 2030. The prolonged impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating conflicts, geopolitical tensions and growing climate chaos have severely hampered progress towards the SDGs. Without massive investment and scaled-up action, achieving the SDGs will remain unattainable. The global report therefore calls for bold action on peace and financing, highlighting the upcoming Summit of the Futurethe Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development and the Second World Summit on Social Development as critical milestones to achieve the SDGs. To reconfirm this commitment, the HLPF adopted a ministerial declarationwhich identifies the current situation and challenges, along with the actions and investment paths needed to strengthen the 2030 Agenda.
Progress and challenges in the Latin American and Caribbean region in relation to the SDGs
In the Latin American and Caribbean region, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) It is estimated that 22% of the Goals have been achieved or will be achieved by 2030, while 46% of them are going in the right direction, but not fast enough to be met on time, and the remaining 32% are not expected to be achieved. José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of ECLAC, actively participated in several of the plenary sessions and side events of the global forum, where he shared his vision for moving towards a more productive, inclusive and sustainable development model in the region, and reaffirmed his proposal for an economic and social transformation that will accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Global engagement and regional perspectives at HLPF 2024
At the opening of the HLPF, Paula Narváez, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations, called for a renewed commitment to multilateralism and constructive dialogue to achieve the necessary transformations. Approximately 90 heads of state and government, deputy prime ministers, ministers, vice-ministers and ministerial-level officials participated in the Forum for two weeks, accompanied by thousands of actors from major groups and other stakeholders. In addition to plenary sessions, 236 side events, 14 exhibitions, 13 special events and 13 VNR Labs were organized. To monitor national progress towards the SDGs, the HLPF 2024 presented 36 Voluntary National Reports (VNRs), of which eight were from the Latin American and Caribbean region, namely: Belize and Brazil for the second time, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras and Peru for the third time, and Colombia and Mexico for the fourth time. These reports provided valuable insights into national experiences, lessons learned and obstacles encountered in implementing the 2030 Agenda.
As a highlight of the This year’s programthe five UN Regional Commissions organized the annual plenary session entitled “Messages from the Regions” to highlight regional challenges, innovative pathways and opportunities to accelerate progress towards the SDGs and present transformative policies and actions for the remaining six years until the SDG deadline of 2030. The session discussed the recommendations of the Regional Forums on Sustainable Development and focused particularly on the Pact for the Future and its pillars on sustainable development and financing for development, as well as science, technology and innovation and digital cooperation. He also presented a brochure set with key messages from the five regions and a video which captured the voices of diverse stakeholders around the world.
With only six years remaining to fulfil the vision of the 2030 Agenda, its achievement requires an unprecedented level of collective action. International cooperation and greater commitment from all relevant actors must be urgently expanded to find lasting solutions. ECLAC’s Community of Practice on Voluntary National Reports (VNRs) for Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, as well as the upcoming eighth meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development to be held at ECLAC headquarters in Santiago, Chile in April 2025, offer an opportunity to promote regional cooperation and accelerate progress towards the SDGs. Only together can we create an environment in which no one is left behind and all people can fulfil their true potential, shaping a fair and sustainable future for all.
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