Research Guides: Conference Primer: Sustainable Development Goals: 2024

UN Economic Commission for Europe

Regional Forum 2024 | 13 - 14 March 2024
"Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Economic Commission for Europe region in times of multiple crises: The effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions".
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The upcoming Regional Forum is taking place at a time of multiple crises. In recognition of the strong affirmation of the 2030 Agenda at the SDG Summit, Governments and Stakeholders across the UNECE region are now looking for impactful, innovative and crisis-resilient policies and solutions to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Register here
Side Events, Regional Forum 2024
Side events will provide an additional space for various stakeholders to share their experience with regards to specific issues, related to the main themes of the Regional Forum.

Summit of the Future in 2024

22-23 September 2024

A once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance cooperation
“The Summit of the Future is a unique opportunity to help rebuild trust and bring outdated multilateral institutions and frameworks into line with today’s world, based on equity and solidarity,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
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The Summit of the Future (September 2024) is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance, reaffirm existing commitments including to the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Charter, and move towards a reinvigorated multilateral system that is better positioned to positively impact people’s lives
Summit of the Future: What Would it Deliver?

The 78th session of the UN General Assembly

President of the 78th General Assembly: Ambassador Dennis Francis

General Assembly - High-level Week 2023 (19-23 and 26 September 2023)
Discover the events linked to the High-Level Week of the General Assembly on the occasion of its 78th session.
78th session: agenda and programme of work
Schedule of General Assembly Plenary and Related Meetings - 78th Session
L’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies en sept questions
Chaque septembre, les dirigeants du monde entier se réunissent au siège des Nations Unies pour discuter des questions les plus urgentes.
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Thème de la 78e session : Rétablir la confiance et raviver la solidarité : accélérer l’action menée pour réaliser le Programme 2030 et ses objectifs de développement durable en faveur de la paix, de la prospérité, du progrès et de la durabilité pour tous.
UNGA General Debate - Live Coverage
General Assembly 78 Live Blog
Live blog of the high-level segment of the 78th session
UN Web TV - General Assembly
UNGA Website
“Solutions through Solidarity, Sustainability and Science” - Motto chosen by PGA
UN News - General Assembly Coverage

Other sources covering UNGA78

Devex coverage of UNGA78
IISD Coverage of UN Summits Week 2023 (18-20 September 2023)
Marking the halfway point to the deadline for achieving the 2030 Agenda, the SDG Summit and Climate Ambition Summit aim to provide renewed impetus for achieving the SDGs and accelerate climate action to accelerate the pace of change, respectively.
Crisis Group coverage of UNGA 78
This page includes Crisis Group’s latest updates from the annual High-Level Week in New York, as well as its coverage of the UN over the past year.
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Marking the opening of the 78th UN General Assembly, Crisis Group experts discuss challenges facing the UN’s efforts to promote peace and end conflict worldwide.

ECOSOC

9th Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (9-10 May 2024)
As in previous years, the theme of the STI Forum will be closely aligned with that of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), to be held from Monday, 8 July, to Wednesday, 17 July 2024, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, but will have an exclusive focus on the role and contributions of science, technology and innovation to sustainable development.
IISD Coverage of ECOSOC Youth Forum 2024 | 16 - 18 April 2024
The Youth Forum is an annual initiative of the ECOSOC President, which has evolved into a key platform where young people can contribute to policy discussions at the UN through their collective ideas, solutions, and innovations.

2024 - The High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development

The HLPF

The establishment of the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) was mandated in 2012 by the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), "The Future We Want". The format and organizational aspects of the Forum are outlined in General Assembly resolution 67/290.

High-Level Political Forum 2024 | 15 -17 July
Theme: "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions”.
Political Declaration to be adopted at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), under the auspices of the General Assembly in September 2023
To be adopted at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), under the auspices of the General Assembly in September 2023
19 July 2023
Outcome | High-Level Political Forum 2023
HLPF 2023 (10 - 19 July 2023)
The theme will be "Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels”.
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The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) will be held from Monday, 10 July, to Wednesday, 19 July 2023, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. This includes the three-day ministerial segment of the forum from Monday, 17 July, to Wednesday, 19 July 2023 as part of the High-level Segment of the Council. The last day of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC will be on Thursday, 20 July 2023.
HLPF 2023 Synthesis Report
Synthesis of submissions by functional commissions of the Economic
and Social Council and other intergovernmental bodies and forums

United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC)

United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) Main website
U4SSC provides an international platform for information exchange and partnership building to guide cities and communities in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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The United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) is a global UN initiative coordinated by ITU, UNECE and UN-Habitat, and supported by CBD, ECLAC, FAO, UNDESA, UNDP, UNECA, UNESCO, UNEP, UNEP-FI, UNFCCC, UNIDO, UNOP, UNU-EGOV, UN-Women, UNWTO and WMO.
Publications

UN, NGOs and Media Reporting

Greater social justice is the cornerstone of a more sustained recovery, ILO tells World Bank and IMF
In statements to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., the ILO’s Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, underlined 'the crucial need for concerted, coordinated action at all levels' in the face of converging global crises.
ILO News, 19 April 2024
Rich countries attain record human development, but half of the poorest have gone backwards, finds UN Development Programme
Uneven development progress is leaving the poorest behind, exacerbating inequality, and stoking political polarization on a global scale. The result is a dangerous gridlock that must be urgently tackled through collective action, according to a new report released today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
UNDP Press Release, 12 March 2024
Human Development Report 2023-24
The 2023/24 Human Development Report assesses the dangerous gridlock resulting from uneven development progress, intensifying inequality, and escalating political polarization, that we must urgently tackle. The report emphasizes how global interdependence is being reconfigured and proposes a path forward where multilateralism plays a pivotal role.
Published 13 March 2024

Barcelona to host 2024 UN Ocean Decade Conference
Three years after the start of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), a global conference will bring together the Ocean Decade community and partners to celebrate achievements and set joint priorities for the future of the Decade.
Ocean Decade News, 2 March 2024
ECOSOC, UNGA Presidents Look to Summit of the Future to Accelerate SDGs
The Presidents of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held an annual joint briefing to update Member States on their vision for the year ahead. The briefing highlighted areas of complementarity the Presidents will advance through collaborative efforts as they work towards the Summit of the Future in September 2024.
IISD News, 7 February 2024
The UN Summit of the Future is crunch time for António Guterres
Time is short to come up with a worthwhile outcome "pact" for António Guterres’ Summit of The Future, but if states collaborate in new ways, progress may be possible.
Devex, 18 January 2024
Ministers Set out Priorities for 2024 Summit of the Future
The UNGA President hoped the Summit of the Future would result in agreement on “the shape and content of multilateralism for the years to come”.
IISD News, 27 September 2023
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Underscoring that time “is not on our side,” the UN Secretary-General invited Member States to “draw inspiration from recent global agreements on … biodiversity, on the high seas, on … loss and damage, and on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment”.

What can humanitarians expect from the UN’s Pact for the Future?
‘I’m not that alarmed that this process could damage the multilateral system, but I am worried that it will waste time, resources, and political capital.’
The New Humanitarian, 20 February 2024
Co-facilitators Present Zero Draft of Pact for the Future, Roadmap for Talks
The co-facilitators of the intergovernmental preparatory process of the Summit of the Future developed the zero draft of the Pact for the Future and outlined a roadmap to guide the negotiations in the first quarter of 2024.
The first reading is scheduled to begin on 6 February.
IISD News, 1 February 2024
Member States to Begin Consultations on Pact for the Future
The co-facilitators will hold informal consultations on the preparations of the Pact for the Future on 9 November, where they will outline their approach, timeline, and plans for consultations in the coming months.
IISD News, 26 October 2023
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UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis has circulated a letter from the co-facilitators of the intergovernmental preparatory process for the Summit of the Future regarding the schedule of informal consultations. The co-facilitators aim to have a zero draft of the Pact for the Future in early 2024.
Following this initial meeting, the co-facilitators will convene a series of closed informal consultations in December “to hear directly from Member States on the substantive issues that they would like to see reflected in the zero draft of the Pact for the Future on a chapter-by-chapter basis”.

Global Compact Network UK Unveils Tool for Businesses to Assess SDG Impacts
The report recommends that businesses start engaging with the Goals by conducting materiality assessments by mapping their operations’ impacts on the SDGs across their value chain and identifying impact opportunities.
IISD News, 17 April 2024
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It highlights the double materiality approach to conducting materiality assessments, whereby companies are required “to include financial and impact materiality considerations in their assessments”.
SDG Showcase: How companies are contributing to achieving Agenda 2030
Download the report here.
The SDG Showcase serves as a tool for businesses to assess material SDG impacts and showcases good practice examples of the private sector working with a clear plan to advance the SDGs for the future we all want.
Global Compact Network UK, April 2024
Maximizing Progress on the 2030 Agenda: Building on SDG Interlinkages
The 2030 Agenda emphasizes the importance of integration and indivisibility in addressing sustainability issues, encouraging a systemic approach.
IISD News, 1 February 2024
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By identifying causal mechanisms that lead to both synergies and trade-offs, we can better comprehend the factors that drive or hinder progress.
Leveraging this knowledge can allow the discussion on sustainable development post-2030 to be more focused and help set priorities for the future.

Secretary-General's remarks to the General Assembly on Priorities for 2024
"Peace can achieve wonders that wars never will. Wars destroy. Peace builds. But in today’s troubled world, building peace is a conscious, bold and even radical act. It is humanity’s greatest responsibility. That responsibility belongs to us all – individually and collectively. In this difficult and divided moment, let’s meet that obligation for today and future generations. Starting here. Starting now. For my part, I can guarantee that I will never give up pushing for peace."
UNGA, 7 February 2024
“Peace is the Missing Piece”: UN Secretary-General on Priorities for 2024
Addressing the UN General Assembly (UNGA), UN Secretary-General António Guterres briefed Member States on his priorities for 2024. The Secretary-General highlighted “peace in all its dimensions” as his top goal for the year.
IISD News, 7 February 2024
Remarks by the President of the General Assembly, Mr. Dennis Francis, at the Joint Briefing of the Presidents of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council
Published 2 February 2024
UNGA President Outlines Priorities for Resumed 78th Session
The UNGA President identified the Summit of the Future as a priority to supercharge SDG implementation, “adapt our systems for good governance and the efficient delivery of global public goods,” and “have a meaningful dialogue with relevant stakeholders with a view to fixing… the international financial architecture”.
IISD News, 18 January 2024
Member States Approve USD 3.59 Billion UN Budget for 2024
The regular budget for 2024 will be USD 3.59 billion – nearly USD 300 million more than the USD 3.3 billion figure unveiled by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in October 2023.
IISD News, 10 January 2024
Rebuild trust and restore hope in 2024: UN chief’s End-of-year video message
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for global unity to make 2024 a year for “building trust and hope” following the immense suffering, violence, and climate chaos that characterized 2023.
General Assembly approves $3.59 billion UN budget for 2024
The General Assembly has approved a $3.59 billion budget for the United Nations for 2024, including the establishment of a special account to finance the Organization’s peacebuilding fund.
UN News, 24 December 2023

Co-facilitators Publish Zero Draft of Resolutions on ECOSOC, HLPF Reviews
In 2021, the UNGA decided to conduct the reviews of the ECOSOC and the HLPF in conjunction with each other at its 78th session.
The first reading of the zero draft is scheduled to take place during the third informal consultation on 28 March 2024.
Member States can submit written comments by 1 April 2024.
IISD News, 27 March 2024
ECOSOC Discusses Durable Solutions, Partnerships to Reinforce 2030 Agenda
- The ECOSOC President welcomed the Partnership Forum’s multi-stakeholder and participatory discussions that, she said, can “shine the spotlight on innovative solutions for addressing many of today’s most pressing challenges”.
- The Coordination Segment featured panel discussions on tackling inequality amidst multiple crises, building resilient food systems, advancing climate action through sustainable solutions, and creating effective institutions to achieve the SDGs.
IISD News, 7 February 2024
Symbiotic Public-Private Alliances Key to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals, Speakers Stress at Economic and Social Council Partnerships Forum
The type of public-private partnership that enabled a moon landing and led to the invention of mobile phones and baby formula is lacking with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a keynote speaker told the Economic and Social Council today at its annual Partnership Forum, as she called for symbiotic, rather than parasitic, approaches to address major global crises.
UN Meeting Coverage, 30 January 2024
ECOSOC President Publishes Updated List of 2024 VNR Presenters
Iran and Mexico have been added to the updated list.
Israel will not carry out a VNR in 2024.
As per the 26 October letter, “the updated list of countries presenting VNRs at the 2024 HLPF is now closed”.
IISD News, 2 November 2023

Our Common Agenda

Our Common Agenda
United Nations Annual Report 2023
2023 Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organization
Download the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization - A/78/1 in the six official languages
Presented to the General Assembly, 19 September 2023, 9:00 a.m. (local time)
Policy Briefs
At the invitation of Member States, the Secretary-General is now issuing a series of Policy Briefs to provide more detail on certain proposals contained in Our Common Agenda and to support them in their deliberations as they prepare for the Summit of the Future.
Delivering Our Common Agenda
Our Common Agenda is an agenda of action, designed to strengthen and accelerate multilateral agreements – particularly the 2030 Agenda – and make a tangible difference to people’s lives.
Our Common Agenda report
Released September 2021

More about the SDGs

Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) 2023 | Unlocking and accelerating transformations to the SDGs: a review of existing knowledge
Unlocking and accelerating transformations to the SDGs: a review of existing knowledge
Published July 2023
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Sustainable Development Goals
As part of the United Nations family, IMO is actively working towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the associated SDGs.
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Indeed, most of the elements of the 2030 Agenda will only be realized with a sustainable transport sector supporting world trade and facilitating global economy. IMO’s Technical Cooperation Committee has formally approved linkages between the Organization’s technical assistance work and the SDGs.
The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023: Special Edition— SDG Indicators
The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023: Special Edition provides a powerful call to action, presenting a candid assessment of the SDGs based on the latest data and estimates.
Published 10 July 2023
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While highlighting the existing gaps and urging the world to redouble its efforts, the report also emphasizes the immense potential for success through strong political will and the utilization of available technologies, resources, and knowledge. Together, the global community can reignite progress towards achieving the SDGs and create a brighter future for all.
World Investment Report 2023: Investing in sustainable energy for all
UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2023 reveals a widening annual investment deficit that developing countries face as they work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Issued 5 July 2023
IMF SDG Financing Tool
The IMF SDG Financing Tool is an interactive scenario builder that can be used to assess the macroeconomic coherence of countries' SDG financing plans.
Launch: April 2023
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It will help stakeholders advance long-term comprehensive plans, evaluate the impact of policies, and compare financing options.
TRACKING SDG7 THE ENERGY PROGRESS REPORT 2022
IRENA, Launched 1 June 2022
UN Energy Compacts
Voluntary commitments to accelerate achievement of clean, affordable energy for all by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050
Do Mega-Conferences Advance Sustainable Development?
IISD analysis / backgrounder, 21 June 2021
Global Assessment Report (GAR2022) by UNDRR
26 April 2022
Review of 247 VNRs Points to Good Practices in SDG Reporting
IISD, 9 February 2022
Updated UNECE Road Map guides countries through complexities of measuring and monitoring progress towards SDGs
UNECE - 2 February 2022
UNDESA Publication: Repository of Good Practices in Voluntary National Review (VNR) Reporting
UNDESA publication
SDG Lab: recommended SDG resources
SDG Mapping
Who does what on which SDG in Geneva.
SDG – Human Rights Mechanisms Recommendations in the OHCHR
Universal Human Rights Index: Search for recommendations by Sustainable Development Goals and their targets.
SDG - Human Rights Data Explorer

From the UN Library & Archives Geneva

Climate Change
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Act for Our Common Future
Choose Your Issue. Make An Impact.

SDG event calendar - official site

SDGs in Geneva

Multilateral Solutions in a Challenging World
The 2022 annual report of the United Nations Office at Geneva.
Published 20 July 2023
SDGLAB - Activating the 2030 Agenda
‍The SDG Lab is a multi-stakeholder initiative that contributes to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Perception Change Project
Efforts are centred around four main axes: making information accessible, changing the narrative, promoting the work of Geneva-based organizations and promoting the Sustainable Development Goals.
Discover the mapping of SDG expertise of International Geneva

From UNDESA

World Economic Situation and Prospects
SDG Global Database
Access data on more than 210 SDG indicators for countries across the globe
by indicator, country, region or time period
The Partnership Platform
It is a global registry of voluntary commitments and multi-stakeholder partnerships made by stakeholders in support of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Building Bridges 9 - 12 Dec 2024

Building Bridges : Aligning Finance with Sustainability
Building Bridges - News
Building Bridges launches a networking app for its community
Building Bridges is more than an event, it is a powerful movement of committed people and organizations that aim to accelerate the transition to sustainable financial system.
Download the app here.

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

IISD Reporting Service
IISD Coverage of SDG Summits
Tracking the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda
SDG Knowledge Hub | Daily SDG News | IISD
Tracking the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda
IISD Events calendar

Conference Primer: Sustainable Development Goals: 2024

Goal 4 : Quality Education

More about Goal 4

ON THIS PAGE

UN Economic Commission for Europe

Regional Forum 2024 | 13 - 14 March 2024

Summit of the Future in 2024

The 78th session of the UN General Assembly

Other sources covering UNGA78

ECOSOC

2024 - The High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development

United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC)

UN, NGOs and Media Reporting

Our Common Agenda

Our Common Agenda

More about the SDGs

SDG event calendar - official site

SDGs in Geneva

From UNDESA

Building Bridges 9 - 12 Dec 2024

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

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