The preparations for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), held under the auspices of ECOSOC on 10-19 July 2023, are at the final stage. The official updated programme, provisional agenda and information note for participants are available on the HLPF website. More than 130 high-level speakers are expected to participate in the thematic panels. About 2,700 representatives of MGoS and NGOs accredited to ECOSOC, including a large number of youth participants, have registered for the HLPF. The President of ECOSOC has sought to boost the role of youth by ensuring speaking roles in all sessions.
In addition to hosting more than 200 side events, 17 VNR labs, and 21 exhibits onsite, featuring Member States, the UN system and civil society, 12 high-level special events will be organized during the HLPF to foster broad ownership and engagement across key sectors of society on the 2030 Agenda.
During its organizational session on 27 July 2023, the Council will elect a new Bureau for ECOSOC (President and Vice-Presidents) for its 2024 session.
ECOSOC Events
Joint Meeting of ECOSOC and the Peacebuilding Commission - "The importance of the SDGs in linking peace and development on the ground"
On 29 June 2023, ECOSOC and the Peacebuilding Commission convened a joint meeting on “The importance of the SDGs in linking peace and development on the ground.” Building on the joint meeting of ECOSOC and the PBC on “Peacebuilding, sustaining peace and sustainable development: Towards coherence and impact on the ground” convened on 2 December 2022, the meeting focused on ways to operationalize the peace and development nexus to promote coherence and impact for peacebuilding, sustaining peace and sustainable development on the ground. The meeting explored the role of the United Nations system entities in this endeavor, as well as the Economic and Social Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. [More information: Opening Statement by the ECOSOC President H.E. Ms. Lachezara Stoeva]
ECOSOC Briefing on the HLPF
On 27 June 2023, the President of ECOSOC briefed Member States and stakeholders on the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) and the High-level Segment of ECOSOC (webcast). The President encouraged ministers from all relevant fields of the SDGs to actively participate in HLPF and share experiences and policy recommendations on transformative actions to advance the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs for consideration at the SDG Summit. She underscored that the HLPF will accelerate a multisectoral effort to reverse negative trends and shift towards rapid SDG progress, contributing to the momentum ahead of the Summit. [More information: Statement by the ECOSOC President H.E. Ms. Lachezara Stoeva]
ECOSOC Special Meeting - Saving Lives: Addressing the Urgent Food Security Needs of Haiti
On 16 June 2023, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) convened a special meeting on “Saving Lives: Addressing the urgent food security needs of Haiti” bringing together Member States, UN partners, and representatives from civil society and international financial institutions to address the urgent food security needs of Haiti and to save lives. The meeting was convened on the proposal of the Chair of the ECOSOC Ad-Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti (Canada). The Special Meeting focused on mobilizing action for both emergency food assistance and emergency livelihood assistance, and on building sustainable food systems in Haiti. [More information: Opening Statement by the ECOSOC President H.E. Ms. Lachezara Stoeva; Presidential Statement]
Other Events
International Forum of Volunteers
On 20-21 June 2023, the International Forum of Volunteers met in Astana, Kazakhstan. Bringing together 140 volunteers from 34 countries, the Forum featured discussions on how to foster international cooperation between volunteers. [More information: Statement by the ECOSOC President H.E. Ms. Lachezara Stoeva]
High-Level Side Event in the margins of the General Assembly High-Level Debate on “Equal Access to Justice for All: Advancing Reforms for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies”
On 15 June 2023, the General Assembly high-level debate on "Equal access to Justice for All" was convened and provided an opportunity to analyze the strategic importance of equal access to justice for all in justice systems, including criminal justice. Participants were invited to share their experiences and reflect on best practices and persisting challenges. In that context, a side event was organized in the margins of the General Assembly high-level debate. [More information: Remarks by the ECOSOC President H.E. Ms. Lachezara Stoeva]
Second Session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly
On 5 -9 June 2023, the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly was convened in Nairobi, Kenya. The theme of the session was “A sustainable urban future through inclusive and effective multilateralism: achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in times of global crises.” As the governance body of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the United Nations Habitat Assembly convenes every four years. It is the highest global decision-making body on sustainable urbanization and human settlements. Thematic debates and discussions during the Assembly focused on Universal access to affordable housing, urban climate action, urban crisis recovery, localization of the SDG’s, and prosperity and local finance. [More information: Remarks by the ECOSOC President H.E. Ms. Lachezara Stoeva on “Key Takeaways and Directions for the Summit of the Future”]
UN International Days
World Environment Day
Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually on 5 June since 1973, World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world. In 2023, it was hosted by Côte D'Ivoire and focused on “Solutions to Plastic Pollution.” [More information: Remarksby the ECOSOC President H.E. Ms. Lachezara Stoeva]
SDG Actions
Today, our food systems are destabilizing our planet and failing to provide all people with healthy and nutritious diets. Urgent transformation towards sustainable food systems is critical to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to maintain the Paris Agreement temperature rise target of 1.5ºC.
Systemic transformation is not an easy endeavor. But there is growing recognition that to create coherent food policies a cross-sectoral, participatory approach is required.
UNEP and partners have come together under the umbrella of the One Planet Network’s Sustainable Food Systems Programme to analyse the extent to which national and sub-national Food Systems Multi-Stakeholder Governance Mechanisms (MSMs) are contributing to the transition toward sustainable food systems. Learn more here.
