As part of the thematic review of the 2019 High Level Political Forum (HLPF), Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS) were gathered this morning to report on their contribution, provide recommendations, follow-up and review on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Particular focus was placed on addressing the systemic barriers to achieve sustainable development and strengthening the follow-up and review process to best contribute to “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”, the theme of this year’s HLPF.

On the principles to guide the strengthening of the follow-up and review process of the 2030 Agenda, speakers unanimously uphold the principle of inclusiveness and widest-possible participation in the review processes. In practice, Mr. Jose Viera, Chief Executive Officer of the World Blind Union (PwD) and Co-Lead of the MGoS Task Group on the HLPF Reform, emphasized on the equal participation and protagonist role of civil society. Actions to guarantee marginalized groups engagement and a more result-oriented review approach such as analysing the shortcomings and challenges towards the goal to achieve sustainable development were recommended.

To best integrate the contribution of various cross-cutting and thematic review processes and to strengthen the interplay between the global and the regional review processes, political wills and accountability, rather than due procedures, were repeatedly pointed out by panelists as the key to the solution. While global forums – including HLPF – provides guidance and recommendations on the implementation of SDGs at the national level, mandates are non-binding and often difficult to be implemented. Identification of regional priorities and challenges increase the role and significance of regional forums in the international review processes and strengthen the linkage between regional and global forums are imperative to the achievement of Agenda 2030.

Meeting: HLPF 2019 – Perspectives of Society

Date/Location: Thursday, July 11, 2019; 09:00-11:00; Conference Room 4 & Trusteeship Council Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY

Speakers:

Ms. Kira Christianne Danganan Azucena, Vice President of ECOSOC;

Ms. Katarina Popovic, Secretary General of the International Council for Adult Education and Representative of the Education and Academia Stakeholder Group (EASG) to the MGoS Steering Group;

Ms. Paola Simonetti, Deputy Director, Economic and Social Policy Department, International Trade Union Confederation (WTUMG), and Co-Chair of the MGoS Steering Group;

Mr. Jose Viera, Chief Executive Officer of the World Blind Union (PwD) and Co-Lead of the MGoS Task Group on the HLPF Reform;

Ms. Pooja Rangaprasad, Director of Policy & Advocacy, Financing for Development (FfD), Society for International Development (SID) and Civil Society FfD Group;

Ms. Warda Rina, Co-Chair of the Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism;

Mr. Donovan Guttieres, Major Group for Children and Youth

Interventions from Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS)

Written By: WIT Representative Jeremy Tong