High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF)

14 – 23 July 2025

United Nations Headquarters, New York

The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) serves as the central United Nations platform for reviewing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Established at Rio+20 in 2012, the HLPF plays a critical role in tracking global progress and fostering policy coherence to accelerate SDG implementation.

The 2025 HLPF will be convened under the auspices of ECOSOC from 14–23 July 2025, followed by the ECOSOC High-Level Segment and Ministerial Segment from 21–24 July 2025.

2025 Theme and Focus Areas

The theme for HLPF 2025 is:
“Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind.”

The SDGs to be reviewed in-depth are:

  • Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Goal 5: Gender Equality
  • Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Goal 14: Life Below Water
  • Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

These interlinked goals highlight the urgency of health, gender equality, economic stability, environmental sustainability, and multi-stakeholder collaboration in shaping a just and resilient future.

Strengthening the Focus on Women, Children, and Adolescents’ Health (WCAH)

The inclusion of Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality) in the 2025 agenda presents a unique opportunity to prioritize Women, Children, and Adolescents’ Health (WCAH). PMNCH urges the HLPF 2025 to elevate discussions on:

  1. Accelerating Progress on Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health: Addressing preventable mortality and morbidity, in alignment with the WHA77 resolution.
  2. Investing in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR): Ensuring access to essential healthcare services, including family planning, maternal care, and adolescent health programs.
  3. Strengthening Health Systems and Financing: Promoting universal health coverage (UHC) and mobilizing domestic and international resources for resilient healthcare infrastructures.
  4. Youth and Gender-responsive Policies: Advancing policies that empower women and young people in health decision-making, ensuring inclusivity and equitable access to opportunities.

HLPF 2025: A Platform for Action and Accountability

The HLPF will convene high-level representatives from governments, UN agencies, academia, civil society, and the private sector to:

  • Conduct Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), where countries assess and present their SDG progress.
  • Exchange best practices and evidence-based solutions to accelerate sustainable development.
  • Adopt a ministerial declaration outlining global commitments to achieving the 2030 Agenda.

With just five years remaining to meet the SDGs, the HLPF must serve as a catalyst for transformative action, ensuring policies are equitable, inclusive, and rooted in science and evidence.

Call to Action: Ensuring WCAH is Central to Sustainable Development

PMNCH calls on Member States, civil society, and stakeholders to:

  • Integrate WCAH into national and regional SDG reviews and policies.
  • Increase investments in health, gender equality, and social protection systems.
  • Strengthen partnerships to enhance healthcare access for marginalized communities.
  • Ensure the voices of women and youth are heard in decision-making spaces.