UNEP at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2021

When: 6-15 July, 2021

Where: Virtual and in-person, New York

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 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The meeting of the HLPF in 2021, a mix of virtual and in person meetings, is held from 6 - 15 July 2021, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. This includes the three-day ministerial meeting of the forum 13 - 15 July 2021.

The HLPF discusses ways to ensure a sustainable and resilient recovery from COVID-19 that puts us on track to realize the 2030 Agenda. The theme is "Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development".

Countries are also carrying out voluntary national reviews (VNRs) of their implementation of the 2030 Agenda. For more details, please click here.

The HLPF in 2021 discusses Sustainable Development Goals 1 on no poverty, 2 on zero hunger, 3 on good health and well-being, 8 on decent work and economic growth, 10 on reduced inequalities, 12 on responsible consumption and production, 13 on climate action, 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions, and 17 on partnerships in depth. The Forum also considers the integrated, indivisible and interlinked nature of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Representatives from UNEP are organizing and/or taking part in the following events:

6 July, 2021 | 7:30 - 9 AM EDT | Circular Economy as a holistic means to accelerate the implementation of SDG 12 and SDG 13

6 July, 2021 | 7:30 - 9 AM EDT | As governance crises worsen COVID-19 Impact, is SDG 16 key for recovery?

The event showcased relevant findings from research collaborations such as:

• Emerging trends on SDG 16 in the context of Covid-19, and

• SDG 16 interlinkages across the 2030 Agenda

6 July, 2021 | 3 - 6 PM EDT | Building resilience against future shocks through structural changes and investment in sustainable infrastructure (The event streams on UNTV)

7 July, 2021 | 7:30 - 9 AM EDT | Wetlands: Key Enablers For a Resilient and Sustainable Recovery

7 July, 2021 | 7:30 - 9 AM EDT | UN Alliance for sustainable fashion´s knowledge based platform as an effective instrument for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda

7 July, 2021 | 9 - 11 AM EDT | Higher education Sustainability Initiative - the role of further education to drive collective action for the SDGs: building a sustainable and resilient recovery

An annual global gathering on the role of higher education in promoting and advancing the implementation of the SDGs, exploring challenges, opportunities, and innovative multi-stakeholder higher education related initiatives. The 2021 event explores "the role of further education to drive collective action for the SDGs: building a sustainable and resilient recovery".

7 July, 2021 | 1 - 2:30 PM EDT | The impact of climate change on global public health: from prevention to response

7 July, 2021 | 1:45 - 3 PM EDT | SDG 12 Hub virtual launch

Launched at HLPF on July 7^th 2021, the SDG 12 Hub is built to support Member States in the achievement of SDG 12, and is the central location for accessing official government reporting against SDG 12 indicators. The SDG 12 Hub consolidates and visualizes the results of national reporting on SDG 12 indicators, and makes these publicly available, allowing Member States to browse progress on SDG 12 by individual targets or by country.

The SDG 12 Hub also provides governments, businesses, civil society and the public with direct and transparent access the data reported by Member States on SDG 12 Targets, as well as linkages to existing knowledge platforms, databases and networks through which stakeholders can share progress, knowledge and solutions for sustainable consumption and production.

Access the Hub here: https://sdg12hub.org

Watch the recording: https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/event-sdg-12-hub-virtual-launch-hlpf 

7 July, 2021 | 3 - 5 PM EDT | SDGs in Focus: How to revamp and transform consumption and production and address and mitigate climate change? (SDGs 12, 13,17 and interlinkages among these goals and other SDGs)

The event streams on UNTV

8 July, 2021 | 8 - 9 AM EDT | Launch of the First Hydromet Gap Report

The Hydromet Gap report looks at the gap between the need for hydrometeorological information and the capacity to produce and share it.

8 July, 2021 | 1 - 2:30 PM EDT | Toward a road to sustainable and resilient recovery in mountains

One of the main objectives of the event is to advocate for policies that support food security, poverty reduction and sustainable food systems in mountains, including those associated with family farming and traditional crops and diets, by recognizing their global importance for biodiversity conservation

8 July, 2021 | 1:15 - 2:30 PM EDT | Circular economy: the economy of the future?

9 July, 2021 | 8 - 9:30 AM EDT | Green Recoveries for a Job-Rich Future

With smart policies and investments, millions of new green jobs could be created globally by 2030, and with this, economies can be transformed into drivers of social equity and environmental sustainability.

This event brings together leaders from multilateral institutions, partner countries and civil society to speak directly to the need for a new economic planning model for greening the economic recovery and building strong foundations to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

12 July, 2021 | 7:30 - 9 AM EDT | Making the circular transition work for a transformative and prosperous post-COVID recovery

12 July, 2021 | 1:30 - 2:45 PM EDT | Moving to nature positive: Mobilising business action to transform systems

The 'Seven Systems Transformations' is a unique approach that offers a strategic framework to develop benchmarks and identify keystone companies that are vital to achieving the SDGs.

The event explores the way in which the COVID-19 pandemic has ignited greater social expectations of companies to understand their impact for people and the planet and take increased responsibility for actions that safeguard our future.

13 July, 2021 | 7:30 - 9 AM EDT | GO4SDGs Presents: New solutions for MSMEs for a green recovery

This event looks at Micro and Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contributions to the SDGs. It presents research, tools and experiences that can contribute to “building forward better”, highlighting the experiences gained within the GO4SDGs initiative. Partner organisations showcase inspirational and concrete solutions that contribute to green recovery and an SDG-proof world. The event contextualises the role and challenges of MSMEs in a green recovery, to then allow for a showcase and exchange on current MSME tools, insights and learnings. It also marks the announcing of the 2021 SEED awards for eco-inclusive enterprises, celebrating their innovations and contributions to the SDGs.

13 July, 2021 | 3 - 3:15 PM EDT | Keynote by the President of UNEA

The event streams on UNTV

14 July, 2021 | 7:30 - 9 AM EDT | Circularity for Resilience and Jobs: Green Recovery Policies Are The Global Opportunity Today

The event discusses the alignment of current recovery packages with SDG 12 goals and explore good examples and policy opportunities for scaling up targeted financing in circular economy and charting pathways for a future aligned with Agenda 2030, Paris Agreement and post-2020 biodiversity commitments.

15 July, 2021 | 7:30 - 9 AM EDT | Towards sustainable, inclusive and responsible mineral resources governance post-COVID-19

Date TBD | The value-chain approach a tool for prioritized action on sustainable consumption and production – SDG 12

The purpose of this event is to present the value-chain approach to catalyse science-based policy action on sustainable consumption and production. A panel discussion on the key elements required to strengthen the science-policy interface, learnt through the application of the value-chain approach in the high-impact sectors of food and construction will illustrate this tool. The event will be led by the government of Argentina and the European Commission, with representatives from the International Resource Panel, and other Member States, business, and civil society organizations who are part of the One Planet network.

The science is crystal clear: our societies and economies are driving the three planetary crises the world is now facing: climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The common thread that runs through these global crises, which are jeopardizing every country’s prospects for sustainable development, is unsustainable production and consumption patterns.

Science-based solutions and policy instruments are required to build an inclusive and effective path for the shift to sustainable consumption and production patterns and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. To this end, at the request of Member States, the International Resource Panel and the One Planet network developed the ‘Value-Chain Approach’, a methodology to identify key points of intervention within economic systems to reduce natural-resource use and environmental impacts of production and consumption.

By applying a systems lens, this approach identifies where the greatest opportunities for a shift to sustainable consumption and production exist, shapes corresponding actions by building on current knowledge and available data, and engages the relevant actors in a common agenda for action.

For more information on all special events and side events, click here.