High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development: ensuring no one is left behind

The 2016 United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development concluded on 20 July with the adoption of a declaration that commits ministers from around the world to leave no one behind in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Forum, which opened on 11 July, is the UN’s central platform for the follow-up and review of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In its first week, the Forum examined efforts at the regional, country and global levels to put policies and measures in place that will help achieve the Goals, as well as areas where more work is needed.

This was followed by a three-day ministerial meeting, during which 22 developing and developed countries presented national voluntary reviews on the actions they have started to undertake to align their national development plans with the SDGs.

“Ensuring progress in achieving the SDGs will be greatly enhanced by making sure that lessons are shared and best practices are replicated,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Forum, calling on governments to intensify efforts at follow-up and review through a participatory process, with the full engagement of the business sector and civil society.