UN Forum on Sustainable Development Ends with Renewed Commitment and Urgent Call to Action

The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development concluded recently, with global leaders reaffirming the need for increased efforts and expedited actions to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the 2030 deadline. The SDGs serve as a comprehensive framework aimed at creating a better and more sustainable future for all.

This year's Forum, held under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) from July 8 to 17, focused on the theme "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: The Effective Delivery of Sustainable, Resilient, and Innovative Solutions." A three-day ministerial segment, from July 15 to 17, was a key part of the Forum's High-Level Segment.

Key Votes on Ministerial Declaration

A major outcome of the Forum was the adoption of a ministerial declaration, following robust debates among Member States, leading to two critical votes on proposed amendments.

One contentious proposal, backed by countries including Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Russia, and Syria, involved a paragraph urging states to avoid enacting unilateral economic, financial, or trade measures that contravene international law and the UN Charter, particularly those that hinder economic and social development in developing countries. This amendment passed with 105 votes in favor, 11 against, and 46 abstentions.

Another amendment, proposed by Israel, sought to delete a paragraph acknowledging the intrinsic link between sustainable development and peace and security, and calling for actions in line with international law to remove barriers to self-determination for peoples under colonial and foreign occupation. This paragraph, which highlighted the adverse effects of such occupations on economic and social development, as well as the environment, was retained with 122 votes for retention, 2 against (Israel and the United States), and 39 abstentions.

The ministerial declaration, with these amendments, was subsequently adopted without further voting.

Renewed Commitment to the 2030 Agenda

ECOSOC President Paula Narváez emphasized the declaration's reinforcement of the urgency to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. She noted that the Forum demonstrated that there is still time to achieve sustainable development goals.

Narváez praised Ambassador José Blanco of the Dominican Republic and Ambassador Merete Fjeld Brattested of Norway for their leadership in facilitating the complex and inclusive negotiations, which spanned over 70 hours, including 20 informal and 3 "informal-informal" sessions, to reconcile differing positions and present an ambitious, balanced document.

In her concluding remarks, Narváez reiterated the collective commitment to accelerating the implementation of the SDGs, undertaking necessary transformations, and renewing multilateral efforts to ensure that the goals of the 2030 Agenda are achieved, leaving no one behind.

Article source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/07/1152276

Photo attribution: Diario de Madrid, Alcaldesa - “Hay que erradicar la violencia del corazón de los individuos” 03, CC BY 4.0