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  2. High-level Political Forum 2018
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Opening

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a vision for people, planet, peace and prosperity to be achieved through partnership and solidarity, is now in its third year of implementation. There are positive signs - such as the widespread inclusion of SDG’s targets into countries' own development plans and strategies, and the setting up of coordinating structures and mechanisms for implementation. At the same time, certain other indicators - for example, deeply entrenched patterns of inequality among many dimensions or the increasingly apparent impacts of climate change – are a cause for concern. This year's review at the HLPF, around the theme of “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies”, is a timely occasion to take stock of where we are in terms of progress and identify emerging issues that have the potential to significantly affect SDG achievement over the years to come. Speakers will bring their unique perspectives to bear on approaches and prospects to reaching the 2030 Agenda as a whole, and indicate what they see as priorities needing urgent consideration.

Proposed guiding questions:

  • Where are we in terms of achieving the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs?
  • What are the most important trends that could affect our ability to achieve the inter-connected SDGs?
  • What do you see as actions that could help catalyse the necessary departure from business-as-usual towards the transformative pathways called for by the SDGs?

Chair:

  • H.E. Ms. Marie Chatardová, President of Economic and Social Council

Opening Remarks:

  • H.E. Ms. Marie Chatardová, President of Economic and Social Council
  • Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations, remarks and introduction of the report of the Secretary-General on progress towards the SDGs

Commentary by keynote speakers on the state of affairs:

  • Mr. Jeffrey D. Sachs, Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University
  • Ms. María Soledad Cisternas Reyes, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility
  • Mr. Alex Steffen, Co-founder of online magazine Worldchanging.com