By Kimberly Happich Moloche, Director of Advocacy and Main NGO Representative in New York

The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the central United Nations platform for reviewing global progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Convened annually under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Forum brings together Member States, UN agencies, civil society, academic institutions, and other stakeholders. It is a space for collective reflection, shared learning, and global accountability. The 2025 session of the HLPF will take place from 14 to 23 July, with the ministerial segment scheduled from 21 to 23 July, centering on the theme: “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind.” Learn more

This year’s Forum will feature in-depth reviews of five SDGs: SDG 3 (health and well-being), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 14 (life below water), and SDG 17 (global partnerships). These goals are particularly relevant to the mission and advocacy work of the Good Shepherd International Justice and Peace (GSIJP). We are committed to the dignity and rights of girls and women, we are especially focused on SDGs 5 and 8—promoting gender equality, ending human trafficking, and supporting just economic systems that leave no one behind.

GSIJP will be actively engaged in HLPF 2025 through civil society coalitions and advocacy platforms. In partnership with the Working Group on Girls (WGG), we will monitor Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to ensure that the voices and experiences of girls are reflected in national reporting. We will be particularly attentive to how governments report on gender equality commitments, including protection from violence, access to education, and participation in decision-making. Additionally, through our involvement in the NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons, we will analyze how issues of human trafficking are addressed in both national presentations and HLPF discussions. These issues intersect with economic injustice, migration, and exploitation—areas that must be prioritized in any serious effort to implement the SDGs.

This year, thirty-seven countries—including El Salvador, Ghana, India, Philippines, and Nigeria—will present VNRs. These reviews are essential tools for understanding how governments are progressing on their commitments and where greater ambition is needed. They also offer space for civil society to advocate for structural change, improved accountability, and inclusive policies. See the full list of VNR countries

Beyond formal sessions, the HLPF hosts a rich array of side events, VNR Labs, exhibitions, and thematic discussions, which provide opportunities for cross-sectoral dialogue and innovation. These events are critical spaces where grassroots insights, research, and lived experience inform the global conversation. Explore the HLPF 2025 events

The HLPF is more than an annual convening—it is a key platform for shaping a just and sustainable global future. As we approach the final stretch to 2030, our collective efforts must accelerate, guided by the principles of equity, participation, and dignity for all. GSIJP remains committed to engaging in these processes with integrity and urgency, amplifying the voices of girls and women, and advocating for systems that reflect the interconnectedness of people, planet, and prosperity.

Together, let us ensure that no one is left behind on the path to sustainable development!