Outcome of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF)

 (1) Date: July 8-17, 2024

        Ministerial segment was held on July 15-17

 (2) Venue: United Nations Headquarters (New York, US)

 (3) Theme:

       “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions”

 (4)  Outline

        In September 2015, the United Nations established the HLPF as a central platform for follow-up and review of the SDGs in “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” It is convened annually to follow up on the progress in implementing the goals of the 17 SDGs in select fields. In 2024, SDG1 (no poverty), SDG2 (zero hunger), SDG13 (climate action), SDG16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), and SDG17 (partnerships for the goals) were reviewed and a ministerial statement was adopted on the final day of the meeting.

 

       * Please see the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further details of HLPF2024.

         https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/sdgs/effort/index.html

Bridging the Ambition Gap for the Future We Want through Climate and SDGs Synergy 

 (1) Date and time: July 16 (local time)

        Special Event         10:30-13:00

        High-Level Luncheon  13:15-14:45

 (2) Venue: United Nations Headquarters, Conference Room 5 (New York, US)

 (3) Organizers: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)

                         United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

 (4) Speaker from the Government of Japan: 

         TAKISAWA Motome, State Minister of the Environment

 (5) Outline of the Special Event

        Since 2019, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have been leading efforts to promote climate and SDG synergy as the linchpin for addressing global challenges, such as by holding the Global Conferences on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As part of this initiative, the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy published the second “Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy,” proposing practical solutions for future discussion.

        The role of the Japanese government in promoting the synergy concept was also noted, including its hosting of the Third Global Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Expert Group Meetings on SDGs.

        State Minister TAKISAWA presented on the resolution promoting synergies that was proposed by Japan at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) held in March and adopted by the Assembly. He made clear Japan’s intention to continue to support efforts to strengthen synergies together with the six co-sponsor countries. In addition, he announced Japan’s goal of actively promoting cooperation with many countries and organizations in collecting and sharing good practices related to synergies, specifically to prepare a report on examples of synergies in countries of the Asia-Pacific region in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other organizations.  He also announced Japan’s endorsement of the Joint Statement on Climate, Nature and People adopted at COP28 and that it would contribute to the development of policies to form partnerships and enhance synergies.
 (6) Outline of the High-Level Luncheon

        The High-Level Luncheon that followed the Special Event was hosted by the Ministry of the Environment. It was attended by around 100 high-level participants from HLPF countries and international organizations. State Minister TAKISAWA made the opening address in which he introduced the initiatives of Japan to promote synergies, and called on countries to unite on synergies and achieving the SDGs. High-level participants enjoyed an open-minded exchange of views, and the event proved to be an opportunity to deepen collaboration among countries and relevant organizations towards synergies. Presentations were also made on the pioneering SDG initiatives of local governments in Japan by the Director of the Office of the City of Yokohama Representative to the Americas, and the Mayor of Sado City (by video message).