The Asia-Pacific region is gaining speed in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) planning and primed for transformative change. Yet more needs to be done to pick up the pace. A recent report has revealed that on its current trajectory, Asia and the Pacific will not achieve any of the 17 SDGs by 2030. How can we work together to take urgent action in addressing sustainable development challenges? How can we empower societies and build resilience to, among others, the increasing impacts of climate change and natural disasters?

These are some of the key questions that the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will address at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2019 in New York this July. Themed “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”, this year’s HLPF also aims to mobilize efforts to achieve SDG4: Quality Education, SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG13: Climate Action, SDG16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals.

In addition to bringing the outcome of regional level deliberations to the global platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ESCAP will hold a series of side events and other activities in collaboration with Member States and various partners. UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana will be leading the ESCAP delegation.

16 Asia-Pacific countries will also be conducting voluntary national reviews (VNR) on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at HLPF 2019. They include Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Nauru, New Zealand, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Vanuatu. ESCAP has provided capacity building support to volunteering countries, as well as a regional exchange of peer experiences and lessons learned at the 6th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD).

ESCAP at HLPF Highlights

WEDNESDAY, 10 JULY

13:15 – 14:45, Trusteeship Council Chamber, UNHQ         

Side event on “Strengthening Governance, Participation and Engagement to Tackle Environmental Challenges”, co-hosted with the Permanent Mission of Mongolia

THURSDAY, 11 JULY

08:00 – 09:00, S-1522/23, Secretariat Building, UNHQ

VNR Lab on “From presentation to implementation: Regional support to the follow-up on the VNRs”, hosted by UN Regional Commissions

 13:15 – 14:30, Conference Room F, UNHQ

Side event on “Regional contributions to empower people and promote equality: experiences, lessons learnt and way forward”, hosted by the Permanent Mission of Thailand

13:15 – 15:15, UN Office for South South Cooperation, 12^th Floor, 304 East 45^th Street
Side event on “Fostering Digital Transformation and Global Partnerships for SDG Achievement”, hosted by the Government of Saudi Arabia, UNOSSC and WSIS

FRIDAY, 12 JULY

13:15 – 14:45, Conference Room F, UNHQ

Side event on “Partnerships for Accelerated Sustainable Energy Development and Enhanced Resilience Building to climate change in LLDCs”, hosted by UN-OHRLLS

 18:30 – 20:00, Conference Room F, UNHQ
Side event on “SDG8: Decent Work and Just Transition at the Centre of the Agenda 2030: How to Make It Happen?”, hosted by the Workers and Trade Union MG

MONDAY, 15 JULY
13:15 – 14:30, Conference Room F, UNHQ
Side event on “Data Revolution for Ensuring Decent Work for All with a Focus on Youth”, hosted by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh

15:00 – 17:00, Conference Room 4, UNHQ
Plenary session on “Four years of VNRs: What Have We Learned on Implementing the SDGs?”

16:00 – 17:15, UNDP Meeting Room, DC1, One UN Plaza
Side event on “Accelerating Progress: An Empowered, Inclusive and Equal Asia and the Pacific”, co-hosted with ADB and UNDP

TUESDAY, 16 JULY

13:15 – 14:30, Conference Room 12, UNHQ

Side event on “Taking Action on Equality, Inclusion and Empowerment in Asia and the Pacific”, co-hosted with the Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste

15:00 – 16:00, Trusteeship Council Chamber, UNHQ

Plenary session on “What are Regions Telling Us About Implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs?”

18:30 – 20:00, Conference Room 12, UNHQ

High-Level roundtable discussion on “Tackling the Perfect Storm: Empowering Societies for Disaster Resilience”, co-hosted with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines

 WEDNESDAY, 17 JULY
13:15 – 14:45, Delegates Dining Room, UNHQ
Ministerial Lunch hosted by the ECOSOC President and Regional Commissions