H.E Mr. Oh Joon declared opened the 2016 High-Level Political forum on sustainable development, convened under the auspices of the ECOSOC. He invited the forum to turn to the provisional agenda which was adopted with no objections. He further stated that we are all in this together to ensure a sustainable future for all, wishing good and productive meetings in the next two weeks

Mr. Wu also delivered his opening remarks reiterated the theme of the HLPF “leaving no one behind” stating during his presentation of the Secretary-General SDG Report Progress, stating that we must tackle all challenges and build an inclusive society and that political leadership drive implementation.

The first panel discussion, chaired by H.E. Mr. Oh Joon, and moderated by Ms. Paula addressed the question “where we stand at year one” Ms. Paula stated that there is need to focus on SDG implementation, asked the speakers (Ms. Debapriya, and Ms. Christina), and discussants (Mr. Martin, and Mr. Jose), about their thoughts and comments on where we stand, and their comment on the effective measures that countries are taking to ensure that no one is left behind.

The second-panel discussion, chaired by H.E. Mr. Hector, and moderated by Ms. Lisa Foster was focused on “Envisioning an Inclusive World in 2030”. Ms. Lisa asked the panelist (H.E. Mr. Ion Jinga, and Ms. Onalenna) and the lead discussants (Mr. Ibrahim and Mr. Alvaro), questions about inclusion, and the challenges of inclusion that countries face in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

H.E. Mr. Ion stated that inclusion is the core of 2030 agenda, adding that SDG 10 is necessary when talking about inclusion. Other panelists talk about inclusion of peoples with disabilities and indigenous peoples.

Meeting:  2016 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

Date/Time/Location: 11^th July 2016/10:00 – 1:00pm/Trusteeship Chamber

Speakers:

• E. Mr. Oh Joon, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN and President of ECOSOC (CHAIR)
• Wu Hongbo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs
• Paula Caballero Gomez, Senior Director of the Environment and Natural Resources Global Practice, World Bank (MODERATOR)
• Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue and Chair of Southern Voice on Post-MDG International Development Goals
• Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue and Chair of Southern Voice on Post-MDG International Development Goals
• Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Written by: Fred Yonghabi.