Countries Review SDG Progress at the UN High-Level Political Forum
The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) is the United Nations central hub for global follow-up and review of the progress made toward implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Forum was established in 2012 at the Rio+20 meeting as a successor to the Commission on Sustainable Development. It enables full participation for all of the UN States Members and holds annual meetings under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council in New York. Every four years it holds a two-day meeting at the Heads of State and Government levels under the auspices of the UN General Assembly.
This year, 28 countries have come together to share their experiences on implementing Agenda 2030. Of the nations, the United Kingdom, Israel, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, New Zealand, and Burkina Faso make up the Voluntary National Review process.
The main theme of the 2019 HLPF session is “Empowering People and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality”. In addition to assessing overall progress made on implementing the SDGs, the session will pay special attention to SDGs 4, 8, 10, 13, 16 and 17.
Our Presence at the 2019 HLPF
IFOAM – Organics International has been engaged with the SDG process since its inception. We act as the organizing partner of the Farmers Major Group, which unites a number of farmer organizations around the world. In our intervention for SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, we stand up for the rights of smallholder and landless farmers, and advocate for their improved access to markets. During the progress review for SDG 13 on climate change, we advocate for scaling-up climate finance and address the large gap in adaptation finance.
In partnership with various civil society organizations, we will be on stage at HLPF 2019 for several events:
- We will join hands with indigenous peoples at
Download wfo_ipmg_side_event_flyer_12.07_cr5_unhq.pdf (752.86 KB) to boost efforts to achieve SDG 13(link is external) and its link to SDG 2: Zero Hunger(link is external) and malnutrition and sustainable agriculture. - Together with our partners at SDG Watch Europe(link is external), we will launch the report ‘Who is Paying the Bill?(link is external)’, which details the negative impacts of European policies and practices in the world. IFOAM – Organics International has been Download flyer_side_event_hlpf_who_is_paying_the_bill.pdf (345.22 KB) the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) spill-over effects transcending EU borders. If you are interested in learning more about how the CAP delivers for Agenda 2030, please see our factsheet here(link is external).
- At the event ‘ Download invitation_sideevent_hlpf_peoplenature_17thjuly2019.pdf (537.05 KB)’, organized together with Costa Rica, the UNEP, UNDP, WWF and others, we will highlight examples of community-based actions from our project on Farming for Biodiversity to show how agriculture-related grassroots activities can be scaled up to change behaviors. Read the event concept note Download concept_note_side_event_hlpf_peoplenatureaccelerating2030agenda_19.06.19.pdf (326.15 KB).
We very much look forward to the launch of the report 'State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World' at HLPF. The annual flagship report, jointly prepared by FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO, will offer an analysis on the drivers of hunger and malnutrition. This year's report will include a special focus on the impact of economic slowdowns and downturns. We are eager to get engaged in discussions on how more sustainable and equitable food systems, based on the principles of organic agriculture, can provide solutions to global problems.
United Nations Decade of Family Farming
This year marks the beginning of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF), proclaimed by the Seventy Second Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution acknowledges the indispensable role that family farmers play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, their contribution to sustainable food production as well as the eradication of poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition. New York's launch of the Decade will take place at this week's HLPF, where we hope to to share our ongoing efforts to pave the way for implementing UNDFF as well as next steps (Global Action Plan) with member states and delegations.
If you would like to learn how organic agriculture contributes to the implementation of Agenda 2030, please check out Download oaggs_quickprintnobleed.pdf (334.14 KB).
For additional event photos, please visit: http://enb.iisd.org/hlpf/2019/10jul.html(link is external)
Top image credit: IISD/ENB, http://enb.iisd.org/hlpf/2019/