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  1. HLPF
  2. High-Level Political Forum 2021
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  4. Vision and Priorities of Civil Society, The Private Sector and Other Major Groups and Stakeholders: Realizing The SDGs During The COVID-19 Recovery

Vision and priorities of civil society, the private sector and other major groups and stakeholders: realizing the SDGs during the COVID-19 recovery

Major groups and other stakeholders were integral to the development and adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In light of the critical role that they played, the United Nations General Assembly established ambitious modalities for their participation at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), as outlined in A/RES/67/290 and in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development A/RES/70/1. Since then, the major groups and other stakeholders have worked tirelessly towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through their regular activities and by spear-heading projects and initiatives; highlighting issues through advocacy; knowledge-sharing; and by monitoring progress. There is no question that major groups and other stakeholder are, and will continue to be, crucial to the successful implementation, follow-up, and review of the 2030 Agenda.   

In preparation for the 2021 HLPF, major groups and other stakeholders have contributed to review processes at all levels, through the Regional Forums on Sustainable Development as well as through national review mechanisms. This session, organised in collaboration with the ‘HLPF Coordination Mechanism of the Major Groups and other Stakeholders’ (MGoS-CM), will provide an opportunity for local, national, and regional voices to be heard on an international platform. Civil society, the private sector, and other major groups and stakeholders will have an opportunity to highlight their vision and priorities in realizing the SDGs during the COVID-19 recovery.  

As we approach the 2021 HLPF, the world  faces crisis after crisis, while still battling with the devastating effects that the global pandemic has had on people and societies. Ensuring civic participation is now proving to be more challenging than ever. Major groups and other stakeholders believe that it is essential to openly discuss effective ways to strengthen meaningful participation in official spaces with Member States and other actors. In particular, it is important to open channels of dialogue about processes and platforms facilitated by the United Nations. While decisions are being made for people, planet, and prosperity it is important to consider the mandates which guarantee the meaningful participation of non-state actors as part of the process.  

The session will explore the vision and priorities of major groups and other stakeholders on how to advance an inclusive pathway to recovery, as well as possible reforms which strengthen the realization of political and social rights, so as not to leave anyone behind.  The discussion will intersect and cross-fertilize other crucial agendas, such as those relating to gender equality, the fulfilment of human rights, and the removal of systemic barriers to socio-economic transformation. The discussion will re-affirm the holistic integrity of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, while also exposing the critical potential of Regional Forums, to better connect regional and global levels policy-making.  

Guiding questions: 

  • What are the broader impacts of the shrinking of civil space during the pandemic in the overall implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs and their human rights dimensions? 
  • What challenges are faced by the plurality of actors in the civic space, in the context of the pandemic and post-recovery, with regard to the right to meaningful participation in global, regional and national agendas? 
  • What are the collective commitments needed at all levels to ensure an inclusive and plural process for the implementation, monitoring and review of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs, with the aim to overcome systemic barriers and ensure gender equality, intersectionality and a holistic approach bearing in mind crosscutting issues?

Chair

  • H.E. Mr. Juan Sandoval Mendiolea, (Mexico), Vice President of ECOSOC  

Opening Remarks:

  • Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Under Secretary-General, UN DESA

Interactive discussion

Moderator:  

  • Dr. Mabel Bianco, Co-Chair, Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS) Coordination Mechanism & Women’s Major Group 

Panelists/ Resource Persons: 

  • Ms. Ruth Warick, Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities
  • Dr. Kiran Rabheru, Stakeholder Group on Ageing
  • Ms. Mariah Rafaella Silva, LGBTI Stakeholder Group
  • Ms. Joan Carling, Indigenous Peoples Major Group & Asia-Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism 

Ministerial Respondents/ High-level Respondents  

  • Mr. Sami Pirkkala, Secretary General, National Commission on Sustainable Development / Prime Minister's Office, Finland
  • Mr. Volker Türk, Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination, EOSG
  • Dr. Nadine Gasman, President of the National Women's Institute, Mexico 
  • Ms. Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Chair, UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration