High-level Political Forum 2021 Debrief
One year ago, the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) was the first major global gathering to keep its full schedule when it pivoted to a virtual setting. The pandemic had only been declared four months previously. Disastrous waves of infections had yet to strike. Privileged governments were still in the early days of deploying massive stimulus packages.
As the 2021 HLPF approaches, there’s cause for hope and concern. Approved vaccines are blunting COVID case numbers in some parts of the world; in others, shots are a rare or non-existent treasure. Economic relief has flowed to some people and environmentally sustainable sectors, but dollars have also gone to high-polluting industries while missing marginalized groups.
With a world reeling from the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, how will the HLPF build momentum for the 2030 Agenda and bolster commitments to Leave No One Behind?
The International Institute for Sustainable Development invites you to a panel discussion and Q&A session the day after the Forum closes, answering:
- How did the second virtual HLPF go?
- What challenges were identified and what themes emerged for moving forward with SDG implementation as we “recover” from the global pandemic?
- Where does the 2030 Agenda go from here?
IISD’s team of experts will provide a brief snapshot of the HLPF’s proceedings and challenges in the coming year.