New York: Europe and the Arabs

Ministers, experts, and civil society actors from around the world are gathering in New York this week for a high-level UN forum aimed at accelerating action to achieve these goals.
According to the UN Daily News bulletin on Monday, the 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development follows the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville, which concluded with renewed calls for urgent action to close the massive $4 trillion annual financing gap needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, underscoring the need for expanded investment and systematic reform of the international financial architecture. The Forum, under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, will be held from July 14 to 23 at UN Headquarters in New York.
Here are five key things to know about the 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
1. Focus on Accelerating Action
The 2025 High-Level Political Forum will be held under the theme: "Promoting sustainable, inclusive, science-based, and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Goals, ensuring that no one is left behind."
This title reflects a growing sense of urgency. As the 2030 deadline approaches, the Forum will focus on practical, data-driven strategies to close implementation gaps, particularly in the face of intersecting global crises, including climate change, inequality, and economic instability.
2. Five Sustainable Development Goals in Focus
The High-Level Political Forum annually conducts in-depth reviews of selected goals. In 2025, the focus will be on:
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 goals cover a wide range of issues, from public health and gender equality to building economic resilience and preserving the marine environment. Goal 17, which is reviewed annually, highlights the importance of revitalizing global partnerships and strengthening means of implementation, including financing, to which countries committed last month at the Seville Summit on Financing for Development.
3- Voluntary Progress Report
A hallmark of the Forum are Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), self-assessments conducted by Member States on their progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This year, dozens of countries are expected to present their VNRs, providing insights into achievements and ongoing challenges.
These reviews promote transparency, peer learning, and accountability. It also provides a platform for civil society and other stakeholders to engage directly with governments on development priorities.
4 - It's not just about governments
While the High-Level Political Forum is an international UN platform that brings together governments, it also brings together a diverse range of voices, including youth groups, local authorities, indigenous peoples, NGOs, academics, the private sector, and UN system agencies.
The Forum's program is rich with side events, exhibits, and panel discussions. This inclusive approach reflects the spirit of the 2030 Agenda, which recognizes that sustainable development is a shared global endeavor.
5 - The Final Countdown
With only five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the 2025 High-Level Political Forum represents a critical turning point. More than just an annual review, this year's session comes at a time when science, solidarity, and urgent action must converge. This will help set the tone for the next SDG Summit in 2027, where world leaders will assess collective progress and determine the final push toward 2030. What happens now—at this moment two-thirds of the way before the deadline—will shape whether the SDGs deliver on a global promise or become a missed opportunity.