Opening of the High-Level Segment of ECOSOC/Ministerial Segment of HLPF
The Honourable Speaker, Dr. Jiko Luveni today participated at the opening high-level segment of the ECOSOC/ Ministerial segment of the 2018 High Level Political Forum on “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies” at the UN Headquarters in New York.
The set of goals to be reviewed in depth for the 2018 HLPF focuses on the role of SDGs 6, 7, 11, 12, 15 and 17 in this year’s forum:
- Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
- Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
- Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
- Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
- Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, that will be considered each year.
The UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, emphasised the need for full implementation of the SDGs across national policies.
UN Youth Envoy addressed the opening of the HLPF segment, “Let’s work together for a sustainable future with no young person left behind”. Allow the 1.8 billion young people to fully contribute to the SDGs implementation.
The high level political forum is an opportunity to hear the shared experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. So far over 100 countries have completed their VNRs.
The reviews of the VNRs are state-led, involving ministerial and other relevant high-level participants. It provides a platform for partnerships, including through the participation of major groups and other relevant stakeholders.
The VNRs seek to strengthen policies and institutions of governments and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Hon. Speaker, Dr. Jiko Luveni is joined in the 2018 HLPF by Hon. Osea Naiqamu, Minister of Forestry, Hon. Jone Usamate, Minister of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Hon. Alivereti Nabulivou, Government member of Parliament, and Hon. Ro Kiniviliame Kiliraki, Opposition member of Parliament.
Fiji will represent it’s VNR to the high-level political forum in 2019. The parliament will have an important role in scrutinizing the report on the progress in achieving the 17 SDGs. Fiji’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Dr. Satyendra Prasad said that this is a serious mentioned effort that will need to bring together Governments, Civil Society, Parliament, Private sector and the academic.
