2018 Sustainable Development Transition Forum

The overarching objective of the 2018 Sustainable Development Forum Forum (SDTF) is to achieve a better understanding of successes, lessons and specific mechanisms for initiating and fostering the profound transformations that are urgently needed to make our societies sustainable, resilient, prosperous, peaceful and inclusive in accordance with the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The SDTF has been conceived as a forum where the themes of the High-level Political Forum (HLPF), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda’s implementation can be discussed in an informal setting. It is designed for knowledge and experience sharing as well as capacity building for policy makers charged with SDG implementation at national level. At the same time, it is a place to consider how the international institutional arrangements for SDG implementation can best support accelerated progress at national and regional levels

Some of the concerns which have arisen during the first few years of SDG and 2030 Agenda review in the HLPF, which may be considered in the 2018 SDTF, are the following:

• What benefits do Member States and other stakeholders derive from their participation in the HLPF?
• Does the HLPF provide useful policy guidance for implementing the 2030 Agenda at national and subnational levels? What evidence is there that national governments and other stakeholders have applied those lessons
• Does the HLPF serve as a valuable forum for forging partnerships to advance SDG implementation? Does it facilitate resource mobilization to that end
• What is the experience with the thematic reviews of the SDGs and of overall SDG progress? Do these provide valuable policy insights? Could they be made more effective?
  

Caroline Zimm (TNT) will participate in two roundtable discussions, presenting insights from The World in 20105 (TWI2050) initiative and IIASA work on SDG interactions to further the understanding of policy coherence and integrated policy approaches reflecting a systems approach:

Session 2 (29 October 2018, 14:00 - 15:15): How can the HLPF’s thematic reviews be enhanced? and

Session 9 (31 October 2018, 9:00 - 10:15): Making the HLPF Fit for Purpose: What is needed? This session looks ahead to 2020 and how the HLPF’s role as global hub for SDG follow-up and review can be strengthened? Take away: five highest priority actions

The 2018 SDTF is hosted by the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) of UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, (UNDESA), Division for Sustainable Development Goals, in partnership with the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF).

Last edited: 18 October 2018