Science Day at the HLPF 2023

What will success for the SDGs look like in 2030? We are nearing the half-way review of the 2030 Agenda and there is growing evidence that we are lagging in the achievement of the SDGs.

This event will offer an informal space in the framework of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) for decision makers, scientists, and other stakeholders to exchange views on potential strategies to ensure the acceleration of SDG implementation is as evidence-based, strategic and effective as possible. It will showcase important scientific findings, methodologies and tools that can help support evidence-based decision-making for the SDGs. These insights will also aim to inform the upcoming 2023 SDG Summit and the 2024 Summit of the Future.

We need to recognize that we have reached a point where effectiveness is the focus, not perfection. Therefore, the event will look at SDG accelerating pathways and portfolios for the short and medium term. The expected outcome of the event is a call to action for HLPF 2023 and for the September SDG Summit.

Science Day is jointly organized by the International Science Council, the Stockholm Environment Institute, the United Nations Development Programme, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Watch the recording of the Science Day in New York

Objectives:

• Create a space for exchange between a varied set of stakeholders, including governments, scientists, and practitioners
• Present current evidence of SDG impact and concrete strategies to support acceleration
• Present innovative research and current studies, for instance the upcoming 2023 GSDR

Agenda:

8:30 am | Registration opens, breakfast available

9:00 am | Opening Plenary – How exactly can science support decision making for the SDGs from 2024-2030?

• Ambassador Csaba Korosi, President, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 
• Ambassador Mathu Joyini, Permanent Representative of South Africa and STI Co-Chair
• Sir Peter Gluckman, President of the International Science Council 

09:30 am | Panel: Pathways to accelerate the SDGs in an evidence-based manner!

• Maria-Francesca Spatolisano, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, UN DESA
• Åsa Persson, Research Director and Deputy Director, Stockholm Environment Institute
• Albert van Jaarsveld, Director General, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)

10:30 am | Coffee Break

11:00 am | Table group discussions

• Group 1: Activating synergies in the six entry points put forward by the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), Lead discussant: Mr. Norichika Kanie
• Group 2: Battling multiple crises simultaneously
• Group 3: Evidence-based priority setting
• Group 4: What does acceleration look like for the SDGs
• Group 5: Concrete examples to improving underlying critical conditions for SDG implementation (e.g., conflict, digitalization, equality)
• Group 6: How can policy coherence save the SDGs?

12:30 pm | Closing Words

1:00 pm | Networking Lunch

For more information, please see:

The International Science Council at the HLPF 2023

Discover how the ISC is involved in the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2023, an international conference to discuss effective and inclusive recovery measures to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and explore actionable policy guidance for the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at all levels.