New York, USA. The Claretian Team at the United Nations put up a significant involvement in the 2024 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) demonstrating a strong commitment to the SDGs. Fondazione Proclade Internazionale Onlus wrote a statement to the ECOSOC, thirty-seven Claretians trained and prepared for the event, some Claretians joined in person, and two significant events were organized.
Written Statement by Fondazione Proclade Internazionale-onlus. Fondazione Proclade Internazionale-onlus submitted a written statement to the ECOSOC emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen the 2030 Agenda amidst rising political extremism and armed conflicts. The statement highlighted the critical importance of poverty eradication measures and called for a comprehensive and unified approach to tackling poverty. This includes financial oversight, social protection, workforce development, anti-corruption efforts, and environmental sustainability.
Training and Preparation. Thirty-seven Claretians and associates from 14 Voluntary National Review (VNR) countries participated in a six-month orientation training offered by the Justice Coalition of Religious (JCoR). This training prepared them for meaningful participation in the HLPF.
In-Person Participation. Antonio Llamas (General Secretary of JPIC), César Espinoza (JPIC, Central American Province), Henry Ramirez, and Rohan Dominic represented the Claretian Team in person at the HLPF, engaging in discussions and contributing to the forum’s outcomes.
Organized Events. The Claretian Team organized two significant events in connection with the HLPF:
1. Building a Better Future: Claretian Ministries in the Implementation of the SDGs:
Claretian representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chad, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe shared their experiences and efforts in implementing the SDGs through their various ministries, programs, projects, and initiatives.
2. Spotlight on SDG Implementation: Conversation with Religious NGOs at the HLPF 2024:
This event was jointly organized by the Claretians and several other religious NGOs. César Espinoza (Honduras) and Norbey Tapiero (Colombia-Ecuador) were among the panelists who shared their experiences in SDG implementation.
JCoR SDG Lab. JCoR organized the “JCoR SDG Lab,” a series of virtual discussions to showcase Catholic Religious and their partners’ perspectives on progress and good practices towards sustainable development. The Lab ran from July 22 to July 29 and included sessions dedicated to each of the SDGs of focus for the 2024 HLPF (SDGs 1, 2, 13, 16, 17). Claretians from various VNR countries participated and presented their experiences of SDG implementation in their places of ministry.
High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development
The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, organized by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), 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). The 2024 HLPF was held from July 8 to July 18, with the theme “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises: The Effective Delivery of Sustainable, Resilient, and Innovative Solutions.”
According to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, only 17 percent of SDG targets are on track, and current progress falls far short of what is required to meet the goals. The report also revealed alarming statistics: About 23 million more people were living in extreme poverty in 2022 compared to 2019; Over 100 million more people were suffering from hunger in 2022 compared to 2019; Greenhouse gas concentrations hit record highs in 2022, with real-time data in 2023 indicating a continued rise.
The annual investment gap for developing countries to achieve the SDGs stands at $4 trillion, highlighting the need for increased financial commitments and innovative financing solutions.
Thirty-six countries presented their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) at the HLPF, showcasing the bold actions they have taken to achieve the SDGs. These reviews are critical for sharing best practices, identifying challenges, and fostering collaboration among countries.
The HLPF 2024 concluded with a Ministerial Declaration that identified the current situation and challenges alongside future actions and investment pathways needed to reinforce the 2030 Agenda and deliver on the SDGs. This declaration sets the stage for the Summit of the Future in September, where world leaders will come together to forge a new international consensus on how to deliver a better present while safeguarding the future.
The efforts of the Claretian Team at the HLPF reflect a strong commitment to addressing these challenges through collaborative, innovative, and sustainable solutions. As the UN prepares for the Summit of the Future in September, the Claretians remain dedicated to advocating for and implementing measures that advance the SDGs and foster a more just and sustainable world.
