New York – Eswatini is participating in the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development currently underway at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where countries are assessing global progress on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Running from 14 to 23 July, this year’s session of the forum comes at a critical juncture as the world marks a decade since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda. The Ministry of Economic Planning and Development has confirmed Eswatini’s participation in the forum’s general debate and related proceedings.
The HLPF is the primary global platform for reviewing the advancement of the 17 SDGs, which world leaders adopted in September 2015. Each year, member states, development agencies, civil society, and private sector representatives gather to exchange experiences, share challenges, and discuss policy measures that can drive faster progress.
This year’s forum is taking place amid complex global challenges, including escalating conflicts, deepening inequality, and the worsening impacts of climate change. These threats have stalled progress on many of the goals, prompting renewed calls for urgent and coordinated action.
A key feature of the forum is the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), which allow participating countries to share updates on their national efforts to achieve the goals. Member states use the platform to reflect on achievements, identify gaps, and present lessons learned.
Eswatini’s delegation is expected to engage with other stakeholders on approaches to accelerate progress on issues such as poverty reduction, climate adaptation, and economic inclusion. The country has made headway in several development areas but, like many others, is contending with the effects of a fragile global economy.
The SDGs, numbering 17 in total, serve as a universal call to action to end poverty, safeguard the environment, and ensure peace and prosperity for all. They are built on the principle that sustainable development must address economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection in an integrated manner.
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