The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the core United Nations platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the 2030 Agenda) and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  This year HLPF is being held 10 – 19 July, 2023 and the theme this year is “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels”.  While not under formal review at the 2023 HLPF, SDG 16 presents critical interlinkages with the SDGs being reviewed - namely SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy, SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and SDG 17 on partnerships for the Goals.

As we witness the eruption of multiple crises in every region of the world urgent action on SDG 16 is crucial.   In the lead up to the SDG Summit, the Secretary-General is urging world leaders to "express a National Commitment to SDG Transformation.”  SDG 16 stakeholders are now focused more than ever in supporting countries in the development and implementation of these transformative commitments on peace, justice and inclusion. 

The 2023 Rome Civil Society Declaration has called for urgent action toward revitalized and transformative commitments on SDG16+ and emphasizes key areas that need immediate action – recognizing the indispensable role of civil society for SDG16+ and the 2030 Agenda, and expanding civic space, delivering bold and ambitious commitments at the 2023 SDGs Summit, the 2024 Summit for the Future and delivering catalytic financing for SDG16+.

The Global SDG 16 Coalition has issued a joint statement inviting the international community to recommit to the 2030 Agenda, invest in SDG 16+ interlinkages and quality data, tackle financing for SDG 16+ and continue to invest in partnerships.  The Coalition is also calling for the HLPF to include action-oriented commitments and to use this process as a complementary process to the national Voluntary National Review process ensuring action oriented national commitments on SDG 16 transformation.

See the full official HLPF program here.