New York: Europe and the Arabs
The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development concluded its work after a week and a half of substantive discussions among Member States, civil society representatives, and United Nations agencies.
At the conclusion of the conference, Member States adopted a Ministerial Declaration, with 154 countries voting in favor, two against (the United States and Israel), and Paraguay and Iran abstaining.
The Declaration stated: "We reaffirm our strong commitment to the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which remains our comprehensive roadmap for achieving sustainable development and overcoming the multiple crises we face."
15 Years of Action
The High-Level Political Forum has been held annually since 2010, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, to discuss progress—or lack thereof—on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adopted in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda, which aspires to build a more equitable and inclusive world.
This year's Forum focused on five of these goals: good health and well-being, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, life below water, and partnerships.
Negotiations for the Ministerial Document were led by representatives from the Czech Republic and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Jakub Kulhanek, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic and one of the main facilitators of the Declaration, said: "This year's deliberations have taken on particular significance. Ten years after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, a range of interconnected and persistent challenges continue to threaten the full achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals."
Global Challenges
In the Ministerial Declaration, Member States stated that time is running out to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, which remain significantly behind schedule.
According to the Secretary-General's report on the Goals, released on the first day of the High-Level Political Forum, only 18 percent of the Sustainable Development Goals are on track to be achieved by 2030, while more than half are progressing too slowly. Although the Ministerial Declaration addressed the five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were the focus of the Forum, Member States particularly emphasized the role of poverty in hindering sustainable development and the worsening climate crisis, which threatens all aspects of the development agenda. The Declaration described both issues as two of the "greatest global challenges" facing the world.
Member States also affirmed that strong governance and partnership are essential to achieving peace as a prerequisite for development. The Declaration stated: "We recognize that sustainable development cannot be achieved without peace and security, and that peace and security will be at risk without sustainable development."
A Firm Commitment to Multilateralism
Amid the challenges facing multilateralism, Member States noted that the Declaration affirmed the United Nations' commitment to multilateralism, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the international organization. Mr. Kulhanec said: "At a time when doubts persist about the future of multilateralism, your steadfast commitment was reassuring and inspiring."
Member States affirmed their commitment to urgent action towards achieving the SDGs in order to build a better world and leave no one behind.