Ensuring no one is left behind: UN to host High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development

From June 11 to 20, the United Nations will hold the 2016 High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development in New York. The forum is the United Nations’ central platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted at the United Nations Development Summit on September 25, 2015. The event is expected to provide political leadership, guidance, and recommendations on the 2030 Agenda’s implementation and will be attended by representatives from the UN and relevant entities, governments, NGOs, and the private sector.

In addition to providing guidance, the session, the first since the adoption of the global agenda, aims to keep track of progress on the SDGs, spur coherent policies informed by evidence provided from governmental and scientific experience, and address new and emerging issues. In addition to the main sessions hosted by the UN, the event will also include side sessions hosted by governmental and non-governmental entities, all focused on this year’s theme; “Ensuring that no one is left behind”.

As a show of commitment and dedication to the Paris Climate Agenda and the SDGs, Rachel Kyte, CEO and Special Representative of the Secretary General for Sustainable Energy for All, will attend the event’s ministerial days on June 18 and 19.

These days will include keynote addresses, large-scale discussions, moderated debates, and National Voluntary Reviews. These reviews serve as a way for individual countries to report on the progress they have made and the challenges they face as they work towards achieving global climate goals.

Each review session includes representatives from four to five countries and experts to speak about country-specific projects, obstacles, and achievements concerning sustainable development. On July Ms. Kyte will serve as an expert speaker for a review session on Sierra Leone, Mexico, Morocco, and Switzerland. The entire event will be webcast live through the United Nations’ media services. Kyte will also moderate a panel at the Partnership Exchange, entitled “Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals through multi- stakeholder partnerships.”

For more information on the High-level Political Forum, visit the official site here

A programme of the event is available here