High-level Political Forum 2023

The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development takes place on 10 - 19 July 2023 in New York. This event is the central United Nations platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the global level. 

The summit provides a platform for leaders to discuss the world’s challenges and opportunities in achieving the SDGs. UN-Habitat will be presenting the second synthesis report on SDG11. As the UN focal point for sustainable urbanization and human settlements, UN-Habitat is the custodian agency for 9 of the 15 indicators under SDG11. UN-Habitat also leads the development of guides and tools for urban-related SDG indicators and targets.

To find out more about the High-level Political Forum 2023, please go here.

SDG 11 Synthesis Report  

The fate of cities and the fate of humanity are intertwined. 

Recognizing this, in 2015, the world leaders committed to “making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” through SDG 11 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

The current report, at the midway point of the 2030 Agenda, is the second time that global progress with SDG 11 is being assessed. The first report was produced in 2018 – check it out here.

The current report shows that the world is off track in achieving SDG 11. Rescuing SDG 11 is urgent for the sake of present and future generations. The report points to the immense opportunities that exist and the innovations that are already underway. 

The report was prepared by UN-Habitat as a lead coordinator, with inputs from several UN custodian agencies, other UN entities, civil society, academia, United Cities and Local Governments, and various other stakeholders and partners.

The link to the 2023 SDG11 Synthesis Report – will be available soon. 

UN-Habitat at the High-level Political Forum 2023

To find out about events and activities organized by UN-Habitat at the 2023 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, please check the full programme here.

Our main side event, “Rescuing SDG11 for a Resilient Urban Planet,” takes place on Friday, 14 July from 8:00 to 9:30 AM (EDT), CR11 at UN HQ in New York. 

Events at HLPF

SDG 11 at the 2023 High-level Political Forum

UN-Habitat is organizing a side event at the margins of the 2023 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.”  

The side event takes place on 14 July from 8:00 am to 9:30 am (EDT) at UN headquarters in New York, “Rescuing SDG 11 for a Resilient Urban Planet.”  

This event will focus on the urgent transformative shifts needed to embrace innovative and bold measures to accelerate SDG 11. It considers new ways of thinking and working that can positively alter the way in which policies are designed, implemented, and financed.

Actions, solutions and partnerships to advance SDGs

The Local2030 Coalition is convening a special event at the 2023 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) that will gather experts and partners from across sectors to explore how we can enhance multilevel governance and unlock financing for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Special event aims to foster greater collaboration, drive transformative actions and solutions, and pave the way to accelerate SDG localization.

If you are passionate about multilevel governance principles and models, tune in for the live-stream session and immerse yourself in insightful discussions whenever, wherever you are!

The impact of internal displacement on cities and towns

Under the sponsorship of the Federal Government of Somalia, a virtual side event co-organized by UNDP, UN-Habitat, and IOM will be held during the High-level Political Forum. It takes place on Wednesday, 12 July 2023 from 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm (EDT)/ 8:15 pm – 9:30 pm (EAT).  

The side event will make the case that addressing urban internal displacement is integral to allowing progress toward SDG 11 targets in several countries impacted by internal displacement in Africa. For example, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen. Planning for the future influx of residents in cities is essential given the rapid increase in disaster and climate-induced internal displacement in particular for many countries worldwide.