The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) was convened from Monday, 14 July, to Wednesday, 23 July 2025, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. This includes the three-day ministerial segment of the forum from Monday, 21 July, to Wednesday, 23 July 2025, as part of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC.
The theme of the HLPF was “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind”.
The 2025 HLPF brought together over 100 ministerial and high-level representatives of governments, as well as a wide range of expertise and stakeholders, including heads of UN entities, academics and other experts, and over 800 representatives of major groups and other stakeholders and non-government organizations with ECOSOC status, including 300 youth. Thirty five countries presenting voluntary national reviews (VNRs) of their 2030 Agenda implementation at the national level.
Some 187 side events, 13 VNR Labs, 12 Special events and 15 exhibitions were organized around the 2025 HLPF.
The Forum assessed where progress is occurring, where it is stalling, and what urgent actions are needed.
Main Messages:
1. Progress is Too Slow – UN data revealed that only 35% of SDG targets are on track, nearly 50% are lagging, and 18% have regressed due to conflict, climate impacts, economic instability, and inequality.
2. Global Development Emergency – The UN Secretary-General warned that without immediate and systemic action, the 2030 Agenda will remain an unfulfilled promise.
3. Science and Evidence Matter – Delegates highlighted the need for reliable data, inclusive policies, and local-to-global collaboration to guide action.
Ministerial Declaration: https://docs.un.org/en/E/HLPF/2025/L.1
Adopted on 23 July by 154 countries (2 against, 2 abstentions), the Declaration reaffirmed:
• Commitment to the 2030 Agenda and human rights for all.
• Scaling up climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable financing.
• Universal health coverage, gender equality, and decent work—especially for women, youth, and informal workers.
• Stronger partnerships between governments, civil society, and the private sector.
Emerging Priorities
• Addressing financing gaps through fair taxation, debt relief, and investment in social protection.
• Tackling climate and nature crises with nature-based solutions and disaster resilience measures.
• Ensuring digital inclusion so technology benefits all, not just the privileged.
• Building solidarity between nations to overcome shared global crises.
Looking ahead
The HLPF positioned itself as a mid-decade wake-up call. Delegates highlighted two crucial milestones:
• World Social Summit (Doha, November 2025) – to advance global social protection and equity.
• HLPF 2026 – the next checkpoint for tracking progress and scaling up commitments.
A Vincentian Reflection
For the Vincentian Family, the 2025 HLPF is a call to intensify advocacy for the most vulnerable—those most at risk of being left behind. The Forum’s message is clear: change must be immediate, transformative, and rooted in solidarity. Our works on the ground are essential contributions to this global mission.