1) (13th meeting) High-Level Political Forum 2026. 2) Ministerial Segment of the High-Level Political Forum 2026 | High-Level Segment of the Economic and Social Council, 37th plenary meeting

Dear colleagues, we are about to start. The 13th meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council at its 20th 26th session, is called to order. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I invite the Forum to continue its consideration of Sub-item C, Voluntary National Reviews, of Agenda Item 2. This afternoon, the Forum will consider the final 2 VNR presentations. For this panel presentation, I am pleased to welcome the distinguished presenters from Egypt and Rwanda. Before we begin with the presentations, I would like to appeal to the presenting countries to adhere to the agreed 10 minutes per presentation to allow sufficient time for all presenters as well as engagement with other states and participants. I apologize in advance if there will be a need to interrupt speakers, and I hope that it will not come to that with your cooperation.

cooperation.

The Forum will first hear the voluntary national review by Egypt and I invite His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Tarek Rustum, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, to make a presentation. You have the floor, Mr. Minister.

Right.

Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. Appreciate it. Thank you for the opportunity. Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasure to be here today. before you and presenting Egypt's 4th VNR proudly, being one of 10 countries globally that are able to produce such a number of VNRs, indicating, one, our strong commitment to the SDG agenda, two, leveraging our partnerships with the UN system, particularly with the UNDP, has been partnering closely with us on this exercise. Also appreciate all the support that we got from ESCWA and from other UN agencies that supported us in the process. And then 3, showing the value of embedding the methodology and the approach that the DNR has been offering, embedding it in the DNA of our planning process, of our financial management, public financial management, and even all the way to identifying local economies and local counties prioritization that is ongoing. Having said this, it's my— we are preparing this VNR while the world is approaching the final years of the 2030 Agenda amid unprecedented uncertainty. Egypt, similar to several countries in our region, has been suffering from a number of subsequent shocks, including regional conflicts, disruptions in Red Sea, as well as most recently unprecedented volatility in the energy markets, which has really affected our economy, the region, the regional economy, and also the global economy at large. Yet despite all of this, we were able to preserve our reform momentum, strengthen resilience, and keep sustainable development at the center of our economic policies. Next, please. On the philosophy of Egypt's VNR— now I turn on my stopwatch to make sure I don't breach the 10 minutes. Our 4th VNR is more than just an exercise. As I mentioned, we are deploying it as a policy instrument. It continuously informs our planning, our prioritization, as well as help us monitor implementation, especially when it comes to financing, the efficient use and deployment of data, as well as the implementation and deployment of reform priorities. Hence, the VNR links SDG progress with Egypt Vision 2030, our SDG Summit commitments, and with the Sevilla commitment. At the same time, it strengthens, as I mentioned, localization, ensuring leaving no one behind and keeping the Egyptian people at the center and the heart of our economic policies. Next, please. The methodology reflects the evolution of Egypt's development governance. It builds around 3 principles: strong national ownership, integrated analysis through a whole-of-government approach, as well as an inclusive participation at the local level, so that we ensure that this toolkit or this approach or this methodology responds both to national priorities and local priorities and work on aligning them. The review was prepared through a whole-of-government process, and again, we're so grateful for the support by the UN system, the UNDP, who work closely also with ESCO on a number of issues, and also a broad range of national stakeholders. For the first time, the VNR integrates evidence on both the SDG implementation and also the FFD, so the financing for development, and we're proud that this is embedded in our report. This year's review introduces several important innovations. First, it shifts from descriptive reporting to financial intelligence or financing intelligence, looking not only at outcomes but also how development is financed. Mapping our finances to our priorities through a rigorous prioritization exercise. We're also, as we move and shift the focus from national priorities to local priorities and localization of development, we are looking into adopting also a whole-of-society approach. So we're bringing together CSOs, the private sector, academia, and development partners in the process. Localization is becoming a key priority for how we are implementing our development policies and our development planning. So we're embedding local evidence throughout the review. And finally, we're looking at a comprehensive statistical annex that ensures our commitment and assures— both ensures and assures the commitment to transparency and also the evidence-based policymaking of our government. Thank you. Next. So, foundations of the progress. These achievements built on years of institutional reform. The Egypt Vision 2030 remains our overarching development framework. We are supported by a government action program. We're also having a number of sectoral strategies, integrated digital platforms using the power of digital platforms and sooner AI, with stronger coordination mechanisms across government and local communities. Our first integrated national financing strategy is also a flagship and outcome that we're presenting in this year's DNR. This combined is giving a holistic approach to a reform-strengthened report, and not only a report but rather an approach that translates long-term vision into measurable results and outcomes. Now, turning to our development results, The review organizes progress around 4 integrated development clusters. Cluster 1, investing in people, which is our highest priority. The people is the center, and the Egyptian people is the center and the heart, as I mentioned, of our development policy. We continued expanding our social protection, investing in health services, expanding educational access, and also looking into women empowerment programs, as we believe that human development remains the foundation of an inclusive growth approach that is a key priority for our government. The second cluster focuses on inclusive economic transformation. So the progress in this perspective has continued through structural reforms, including investments in infrastructure, focus on industrial development— again, jobs being the center of our economic policies— sustainable urban development. Moving to Cluster 3, again, environmental sustainability is integrated into our development planning and development financing. The VNR and the review highlights the progress in climate action, particularly on adaptation, natural resource management, and also biodiversity. Now, the 4th cluster, We have emphasis on governance, so strong institutions and partnership remained key enablers to sustainable development. The review highlights critical governance reform, particularly on digital transformation, financing for development, as well as leveraging international partnerships that were key for us to remain the course and stay the course on our SDG agenda. Now, looking ahead, Our focus shifts from sustaining progress to accelerating transformation. Actually, the next 3 years' government economic program will focus on economic transformation as a key objective for our next 3-year programming. The VNR was really instrumental in us shifting gears from focus on stabilization, fiscal discipline that we remain very highly committed to, to mixing this now and shifting gears to economic transformation that will be at the heart of our economic policy and planning for the next 3 years. The VNR identified 6 strategic investment pathways, particularly private sector-led growth, focusing on human capital, prioritizing green transformation, and also sustainable financing as a key source for financing our development, and a focus on localization and governance. So this is a package of priorities that really aligns also with our roadmap for the Egypt 2030 mission vision. Now, next, beyond 2030, Egypt's experience also offers lessons, and that's why we're happily here today for the future of the Global Development Agenda. We believe strongly that resilience must become a core pillar for the next generation of Sustainable Development Goals. We also believe that adaptive governance and strong national institutions matter and are key to ensure staying the course when it comes to sustainable development programming. Financing must evolve from mobilizing resources to building integrated financing ecosystem, and again, the INFF has been really critical in how we are financing development in Egypt as we move forward. In addition, the Global South views, visions, and voices should increasingly be recognized not only as beneficiaries but also as a source of innovation, including through knowledge hubs as well as offering practical solutions to critical and severe development challenges. Allow me to conclude, ladies and gentlemen, with one final reflection. In the past few years, we have fundamentally changed how we think and how we prioritize economic development. In an uncertain world, resilience is no longer separate from transformation. It is the condition that makes transformation possible. It makes it inevitable. Egypt's 4th VNR reflects this conviction as it is both an assessment of where we stand today and also a roadmap for where we plan to head in the future. We are indeed committed to continue adapting, to proceed with learning, to continue strengthening our partnership, and to continue advancing sustainable development that is resilient by design, that is inclusive in its impact, and that is responsive for the future generations. Thank you so much.

I thank His Excellency, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Egypt and his team for the presentation. The Forum will now hear the voluntary national review by Rwanda, and I invite His Excellency Yusuf Murangwa, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, to make a presentation. You have the floor, Mr. Minister.

Mr. President, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. On behalf of the Government of Rwanda, I'm honored to present Rwanda's 3rd Voluntary National Review of the Implementation of SDGs. This review, under the theme of Accelerating Progress Towards the 2030 Agenda, builds on Rwanda's previous VNR presented in July 2023 and focuses on achievements, remaining challenges, and our acceleration strategies towards 2030. Mr. President, in 2025, GDP growth for Rwanda was 9.4%, and post-COVID-19 average annual growth was about 10%. Life expectancy for Rwandans has increased to 70.2 years, and projections show it will increase further. Financial inclusion is at 96% for adults. Rwanda is rated the 3rd fastest growing economy in Africa and ranked 3rd in Africa for government transparency. This report is Rwanda's 3rd VNR and provides in-depth analysis of 5 SDGs: SDG 6 for water and sanitation, SDG 7 for energy, SDG 9 for industry, innovation, and infrastructure, SDG 11 for cities and human settlements, and SDG 17 on partnerships for the goals. It also revisits progress on SDG goals that were reviewed in VNR 2023, as well as integrating SDGs 5 for gender equality, the Leave No One Behind agenda, and new and emerging challenges. Rwanda reports on 148 indicators from 2015-2016 to the most recent data available. The VNR was prepared through broad multi-stakeholder consultations involving government and non-government institutions. Since the 2023 VNR, Rwanda has undertaken several key reforms and strategic actions to implement the SDGs. The SDGs are fully embedded in Rwanda's Long-Term Vision 2050. Our second 5-year national strategy for transformation structured around economic transformation, social transformation, transformational governance, and cross-cutting areas. We have also rolled out the 4th national strategy for the development of statistics that will support monitoring and evaluation. Rwanda has made significant progress in poverty reduction, social protection, youth employment, legal identity, disability inclusion, and refugees protection. Poverty has declined from 39.8% in 2017 to 27.4% in 2024, driven by expanded social protection, and livelihood programs that strengthen resilience for vulnerable households. Youth unemployment has fallen from 22.7% in 2023 to 19.8% in 2025, supported by investments in job creation, entrepreneurship, skills development, and labor market programs. A 5-year refugee graduation strategy has been put in place with the aim to transition 50% of eligible refugee households from aid dependency to self-reliance. In 2025, Rwanda hosted nearly 138,000 refugees. Rwanda continues to empower women politically and in their representation. In 2025, women held 63.75% of seats in the Chamber of Deputies, and 53.8% of seats in the Senate. This has led to positive transitions in other areas, including the private sector, where women leadership and contribution are also increasing. Households with access to water from improved sources have increased to 89.5% in 2025. Households using electricity as the main source of Lighting also increased to 84.6% in 2025, up from only 4.3% in 2005. Rwanda is investing significantly in inclusive infrastructure, digital transformation, and innovation ecosystems. Improved road connectivity in both urban and rural areas have improved access to services by the population and increased efficiency in business and access to markets. Air transport is growing increasingly, connecting Rwanda to the region and globally. 4G internet access covers almost entirely the population, 99% of the population, enabling access to over 200 government and public services Development finance anchor for the SDGs. Despite strong progress realized, there are challenges that need to be addressed systematically to ensure achieving the SDGs by 2030 and beyond. These include declining development finance, among others, tightening global financial institutions, global supply chain challenges, climate change and disaster risks, youth unemployment, and skills mismatch. In Rwanda, we need to boost SDGs financing from the current 7.6% of GDP to between 11.7% and 20.7% of GDP if we are to accelerate successfully achieving the SDGs. We believe this is a modest requirement that can be achieved with appropriate commitment both the government of Rwanda and other development finance partnerships. Mr. President, I conclude by a call to all partners to strengthen the means of implementation of SDGs and strongly revive global partnerships to accelerate SDGs implementation. Thank you very much.

I thank His Excellency, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of Rwanda, and his team for the presentation. We will now hear comments and questions from states and other participants. Delegations who wish to intervene in the interactive discussion, including those who indicated so through the Group of Friends of the VNRs, are invited to press the microphone button on the console. Before I give the floor to the first speaker, I would like to remind delegations to kindly limit their interventions to 2 minutes each. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Côte d'Ivoire, to be followed by Pakistan and Indonesia.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. The delegation of Côte d'Ivoire would like to sincerely congratulate the governments of Egypt and Rwanda on the quality of their presentations, as well as the significant progress they have presented in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In particular, we welcome the constant commitment of Rwanda to ensure national ownership of sustainable development, illustrated by the mainstreaming of the SDGs in international planning instruments, as well as through the concerted mobilization of various different stakeholders around a shared vision of economic and social transformation. The presentation that has just been given highlights the importance of robust institutions, effective governance, and strengthened communication between the state, local governments, the private sector, civil society, and development partners to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs. We also note with interest the efforts being undertaken by Rwanda to consolidate coordination and cooperation mechanisms for development and to ensure their effective contribution to the national priorities. Mr. Minister, Côte d'Ivoire is particularly interested in Rwanda's experience when it comes to the effectiveness of development cooperation at a time when many countries are seeking to better coordinate partner action and to maximize the impact of external resources. Could you tell us, in your view, what were the 3 key factors in Rwanda's success in aligning financial and technical partners with the country's priorities and in strengthening mutual responsibility around development results. Thank you very much.

Thank you. I give the floor now to the distinguished representative of Pakistan, to be followed by Indonesia and NGO Major Group.

Colleagues, and my congratulations to all of the member states who have presented their VNRs during this forum. To the Honourable Representative from Egypt, your nation's VNR identifies a number of accelerators for the remainder of the decade of action. Which accelerators do you consider most transformative for sustaining progress towards the SDGs?

Thank you again, and my congratulations to the Egyptian national team for their World Cup performance. Thank you. I give the floor now to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Indonesia congratulates Egypt and Rwanda on their insightful VNR presentation. We commend that both presentations reaffirm the importance of national-owned development strategies, strong institutions, and inclusive partnerships in advancing the 2030 Agenda, particularly amid persistent global economic, geopolitical, and environmental challenges. We also recognize the valuable experience of Egypt and Rwanda in advancing development solutions that respond to their respective national circumstances. In this regard, Indonesia seeks significant potential for stronger South-South and triangular cooperation among our countries, including through the exchange of knowledge and best practice in areas such as renewable energy, digital public services, food security and nutrition, climate isolation and sustainable infrastructure, also, uh, micro, small, medium enterprise development and innovative financing. We would like to direct our question to the distinguished delegation of Egypt. Could you elaborate on how Egypt utilizes digital platforms and integrated data systems to improve implementation and accountability across multiple development agendas?

Thank you.

I thank you. I give the floor to the representative of NGO Major Group, to be followed by ESCWA.

Mr. Chair, we thank Egypt for their 4th BNR and this strong commitment to Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to the comments by the state, we would like to add the following. In terms of Goals 1, 7, and 10, the payments for debts are taking a lot of our revenues, which shrinks the physical space for investment in development and increases the cost of electricity and fuel and the privatization of such services such as water. In terms of the other goals, we see that the labor market is suffering from structural barriers, and despite the efforts to empower women, informal labor among women and young women have increased. We also commend the good efforts by the government to improve internet connectivity, but there is a gap in terms of the pricing of these services. In terms of Goals 6 and 11, the share of individuals for water has gone under the average, annual average, and there is also a reduction of green spaces in Egypt. In view of the high cost of living, how are revenues used to support those who are the most vulnerable and to improve internet connectivity and reduce its cost? What is the plan of the government to provide electricity to citizens? In affordable cost, given the economic challenges, what are the interventions to transform women into the formal labor sector and to benefit from the different production sources? How are they going to reclaim green spaces, and what is the timetable for desalination to, to preserve the water in the Nile? Thank you.

I I now give the floor to the Executive Secretary of ESCWA.

Let me start by congratulating both Egypt and Rwanda for not just this VNR, but also for their previous VNRs, which have been quite sustainable, and also mention that ESCWA is very happy to have partnered with UNDP and other UN agencies in this journey. A question to His Excellency the Minister: looking beyond 2030, what does Egypt think should be the defining features of a global sustainable development framework?

Thank you very much.

I thank Madam Executive Secretary and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Switzerland, to be followed by Women's Major Group and Jamaica.

Thank you, Chair. We would like to congratulate Egypt and Rwanda for their comprehensive BNR presentations and the work they have put into this process. Our question is directed to Egypt. Data is important for evidence-based public policy planning, institutional capacity, and multi-sectoral human development.

What are the challenges for Egypt to advance open data accessibility and strengthen its institutional mechanisms.

Thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to the Women's Major Group, to be followed by Jamaica and Botswana.

Distinguished co-facilitators, civil society welcomes Rwanda's progress. Poverty fell from 39.8% in 2017 to 27.4% in 2024. Life expectancy reached 70.2 years, and access to water, electricity, and sanitation has expanded significantly. Yet structural gaps remain. Rural poverty at 31.6% is nearly double the urban rate, and rural workers earning less than half the wages of their urban counterparts. Women continue to carry a disproportionate share of unpaid care work, and Rwanda still lacks a living wage policy to close persistent gender pay gaps. The 2024 NGO Law grants broad discretionary authority over civil society organizations' leadership and operations, a concern raised repeatedly in Rwanda's recent Universal Periodic Review and one that can affect the independence civil society needs to fully contribute to SDG monitoring. The ratification of the African Union Protocol on the Rights of Older Persons also remains pending. So we therefore ask, what safeguards will ensure the NGO Law, which is implemented in a way that protects civil society, society's independence and diversity? And what is the timeline for adopting a living wage policy and redistributing unpaid care work? And how will citizen and CSO-generated data be formally incorporated into SDG monitoring going forward? And civil society, we're standing and we are ready to be a genuine partner in translating Rwanda's strong growth and equity for those still left behind. Thank you.

I thank you and give the floor to the distinguished representative of Jamaica.

Thank you, Mr. President, for giving me the floor. Jamaica congratulates Rwanda and Egypt on the successful presentation of their VNRs. Jamaica further congratulates Rwanda for the significant progress achieved under SDG 11, particularly in advancing climate-resilient urban planning amid one of the fastest rates of urbanization in the region. My question is directed to Rwanda. Rwanda's report refers to efforts to relocate households from high-risk areas into safer and more planned settlements. Could Rwanda share the main lessons from this experience, particularly for countries working to improve resilience in urban areas?

Thank you.

I thank you. The last speaker, distinguished representative of Botswana.

Thank you, Mr. President. Botswana wishes to congratulate Egypt and Rwanda on the successful presentations of their voluntary national reviews. The presentations provided valuable insights into the progress made, the challenges encountered, and the measures being pursued to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda. In view of the critical role of financing and political leadership in translating national development priorities into tangible results, we would like to ask 2 questions pointed to Rwanda. For each, I'll give context before asking the question. Botswana has developed an integrated national financing framework to better align financing with national priorities. The question is, from a government's perspective, what has to Rwanda been the greatest value of bringing all financing sources together under one strategic framework? Context: financing frameworks are ultimately only as effective as their implementation. Now, the question is that, given Botswana's long history of effective national development planning— development and planning, what can Rwanda say about political leadership across cabinet and government institutions in playing and ensuring that financing strategies translate into real investment? stronger coordination, and measurable development results. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Botswana, and I now invite our distinguished presenters to briefly respond to the questions from the floor within 5 minutes. I give the floor first to His Excellency Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Tawfiq Rustum, Minister of Planning and economic development of Egypt? You have the floor, Mr. Minister.

Thank you. Thank you, Excellency, Mr. Chair, and thank you for the excellent questions that we received. Let me start by the comprehensive question that we got about the economic challenges, the debt situation, privatization, informality, and all the excellent and rightful— right questions that were answered. But when it comes to One, talking about economics and where the economy stands, it's great that we support statements with evidence and numbers because that's really what tells how substantial a question could look like. But nevertheless, indeed, I'm happy to share what I have right now in terms of numbers, and also after the session, I welcome the I would be happy to share more detailed and elaborate information about this. As it stands, as I mentioned, Egypt is committing— is committed to fiscal discipline and has been indeed in a broiling region where the macroeconomy has been challenged not only in our country but also in the entire region, needless to say, in the globe. And that's why part of that fiscal discipline and fiscal responsibility is that we are looking into making sure that we rationalize spending, make it more efficient in areas where it should be, direct spending to the vulnerable segments of the society who are really in need, strengthening our social safety net programs, and then in the virtue of this, also empower the private sector to make a proactive role. Yes, we have a debt situation that is indeed manageable. Our DSA stands and our sovereign rating stands. In a comfort zone despite all the shocks that the economy has been susceptible to for the past 5 years and 6 consecutive shocks. Nevertheless, we have also achieved the primary surplus for 3 years in a row and working on making this even more persistent and more sustainable in the future. While doing so, we are also looking into empowering the private sector. Yes, we are taking the courage and say that we have announced a state ownership policy where the government is stepping back from particular sectors where the private sector should be leading and giving it more way to operate, more way to— an elaborate way and conducive way to create jobs. And that's how we've also, for the past 3 or 4 years consecutively, our unemployment rate has been dropping from 6.9% to 6.7% to currently 6%, you know, in 3 years or 4 years in a row with the unemployment rate on the drop. Now, this is not enough. We certainly admire and respect the admiration and the aspiration of our youth. We're embarking on several programs to empower entrepreneurship, to strengthen SMEs, and also to create an entrepreneurial capacity for our youth. Nevertheless, on the infrastructure side, the public investment management for this year's plan is envisioning a 12% increase in investment in clean water and sanitation. Nevertheless, we have a dedicated program. It's called Hayya Karima that is approaching 1,700 villages with development impact through sanitation, healthcare services, clean water services, also primary education and primary healthcare services. These are— we have tangible numbers for this. I'm happy to share with you more numbers on Hayya Karima after this, given that I only have 5 minutes and I consumed 3 minutes already. Now, on the numbers, on the data, I assure you that we're committed to data transparency. leave for one more minute. We are currently at the cabinet level. We are envisaging a Freedom of National Public Data and Documentation Act that's being envisaged at the cabinet level. Hopefully, it will pursue the channels soon to parliament within the next season, parliamentary season, now that we are in a recess. But nevertheless, we are also deploying data because we believe in the power of data in achieving development goals. So we're working with a multi-pronged approach, including empowering platforms and digital platforms at the national and local level to inform our development priorities and decisions. Lastly, very quickly, for a post-2030 agenda, we believe resilience should be integrated, adaptive governance should be integrated, and also integrated financing and enabling financing ecosystem, and as well as accounting for climate and development shocks should be part of how we envisage the world in post-2030. I'll stop here. It's 5 minutes under that. Oh no, no, I'll stop here. Thank you. Thank you so much.

Appreciate it.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Yusuf Murangwa, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of Rwanda. Minister, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President. Question from Ivory Coast regarding effectiveness of— how do we do effectiveness to coordinate partners. I would say 3 things are very important that have worked very well for Rwanda. First of all, as a country, as a government, as a people of a country, we have to have strong ownership of the priorities that we decide to pursue. That is very important. 2, it needs consistency. It's difficult to do in a short period of time. It's difficult to do in 1 year, 2 years. In Rwanda, we've been very consistent for the last close to 30 years. We've been very consistent in engaging partners, making sure that we are clear about what we want, and making sure that we are following through on what we are committing as our priorities. So consistency is very important. And finally, it's very important to be pragmatic. We don't set priorities as government alone. We set priorities working with all stakeholders, making sure that the population is also considered, the opinions of the population are considered, the opinions of a wide, broad stakeholder base is also included, so that by the time we make the commitments and confirm them, there is a broad-based agreement that these are the priorities that we need to pursue. Then, as I said before, we are consistent about that and we are committed about that. That has worked very well for us. There's a question from Jamaica about relocation from high-risk areas in terms of settlement, and especially what lessons have we learned. We've been doing this for quite some time, especially because the terrain in Rwanda is very hilly. The land of a thousand hills, so many people in the past have settled in areas that are not safe. The government has systematically worked with the populations to make sure that we move people to safer areas. Again, the lessons that we've learned is, first of all, as a country, we make sure that the priority of our population is safety. So safety, first of all, for the population. Then two, it also requires a lot of engagement, making sure that all stakeholders concerned understand what we are doing so that they're on board, because moving people is very sensitive. Without proper engagement, it's very difficult to manage. Then finally, making sure that much as we want people to move and settle in safe places. Also very important is livelihoods. We have to make sure that people move to settle in safe places, but also make sure that their livelihoods are safeguarded and also improved to make sure that they are comfortable wherever they are moving to. Then Botswana, regarding 2 questions. The value of consolidating financing frameworks. I would say that is very important. One of the main challenges that we see in development is fragmented financing of interventions, and if that happens, interventions are very small and sometimes you don't see the impact. So one of the most important advantages of consolidation. Is that we are able to do big projects that can show value and impact after implementation. Also, what is important to make sure that that is successful, especially making sure that at the political level there is commitment to make sure that financing for development has impact— what we see is that We've put in place mechanisms that have very strong institutional frameworks, especially in planning, budgeting, and financing. There's a lot of transparency and there is a lot of engagement in determining what needs to be done. So we make sure that what we plan for, what we commit to, to be financed, is what is important to the populations and There's a lot of convergence with also what is agreed upon at global level, including the SDGs. So if that commitment is done in a transparent manner, most likely the implementation, if successful, will lead to impactful results that over time we've seen in Rwanda. There's a special question from civil society. I would want to confirm or emphasize that in Rwanda we consider civil society a very important stakeholder in national development. The civil society does a lot of work, a lot of good work in terms of advocacy for issues. We see a lot of advocacy for youth, for women, for people with disability, for the environment, and so on and so forth. I would say the work is very good, but also they are a strong partner in implementation. So I want to assure civil society in Rwanda that their work and their contribution is very welcome and appreciated. Thank you very much.

I thank our distinguished presenters for their responses and I congratulate warmly Egypt and Rwanda on their VNRs. I also thank all delegations for their valuable contributions. I now briefly pause the meeting to allow the podium to be rearranged for the next part of our program.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Can we start? Because we—

Yes.

Oh, full week, so tiring.

So tiring.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I now invite the Forum to turn to Agenda Item 3, Adoptions of the Ministerial Declarations and the Draft Ministerial Declarations of the High-Level Segments of the 2026 Session of the Economic and Social Council and 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development convened under the auspices of the Council on the theme Transformative, Equitable, Innovative, and Coordinated Actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for Sustainable Future for All, which is contained in Document E/HLPF/2026. Thank you, Mr. President. 2026/L1, and which I have submitted in my capacity as the President of the Council. I would like to once again express my sincere gratitude to the distinguished co-facilitator, Her Excellency Shuela Djanina, Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations, and His Excellency Michael Imran Khanu, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations, who expertly facilitated the intensive and challenging consultations on the draft Minister Declaration. I also wish to thank the delegations for their support and for their efforts during the negotiations. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Suela Jannah, Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations and co-facilitator of the draft minister declarations. Your Excellency, you have the floor now.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, on behalf of my fellow co-facilitator Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu and myself, we are honored to have been entrusted by the President of ECOSOC to serve as co-facilitators of the 2026 Ministerial Declaration on the High-Level Segment of the ECOSOC and Social Council and the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development convened under the auspices of the Council. We are very grateful to all delegations for their constructive, collegial, and positive engagement and contribution in the intergovernmental consultations. Our vision as co-facilitators was to collaborate with delegations to present a Declaration that builds upon our collective past accomplishments, and where Member States reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda and accelerating SDG implementation in the final years leading to 2030. Our work was guided by the mandates of several resolutions of the General Assembly on the work of ECOSOC, and the HLPF. In particular, General Assembly Resolution 67/290 states that in all meetings of the Forum every effort shall be made to reach consensus. General Assembly Resolution 75/290B on the High-Level Political Forum also states that the intergovernmentally negotiated Ministerial Declaration should be concise, focused, action-oriented, and forward-looking, outlining priority areas for accelerated action. We are pleased that the draft Minister Declaration presented by the President reached that ambition. The Declaration addressed the 2026 theme of ECOSOC and the HLPF on Transformative, Equitable, Innovative, and Coordinated Actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and its Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable future for all. It highlights progress as well as emerging and persistent challenges to advancing the SDGs. While previously agreed language helped us bridge some issues, on other areas delegations broke important new ground. The Declaration underscores priority actions necessary for accelerating implementation of SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17. The Declaration also sends key messages on the voluntary national reviews. We are confident that the texts presented represent the most constructive path forward and reflects the delicate balance that Member States have worked diligently to achieve. We would once again like to extend our sincere gratitude to all delegations for their thoughtful and constructive engagement, as well as their valuable collaboration and support throughout this process toward a comprehensive, action-oriented, and forward-looking Declaration. As we look ahead to the 2027 SDG Summit, this Declaration sends a strong signal of our collective commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. We look forward to its adoption. I thank you.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations. I have been informed that the draft Minister Declaration has no program budget implications. Before proceeding further, I note that we need to conclude the forum at 6 PM. I therefore kindly request delegations to keep their statements In accordance with Rule 64 of the Rules of Procedure of the Functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council, the Council will take decisions on the amendments submitted to the draft declarations. The Group of 77 and China has submitted an amendment to paragraph 1. 54H of the Draft Minister Declaration is circulated in an informal document on 14 July 2026 through e-delegate portal. I give the floor to the representative of Uruguay to introduce the amendment on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Group of 77 and China assigns great importance to adopting a ministerial declaration which gives a strong political impulse to implementing the SDGs. Though, since the beginning, the Group expressed its request that SDG 7 section, ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, should not include reference to specific initiatives under the UNFCCC process. In that sense, the Group broke silence to request the elimination of the last part of the last sentence of Paragraph 54. Therefore, the group submitted an amendment in that regard. We remind everyone that SDG 7 section already includes references to renewable energies, just transition pathway, low and zero emission technologies. The issue of climate change is being addressed in Section 2 on priority actions, now with 3 paragraphs. The first, paragraph 38, proposed by the G77 as a bridging proposal is agreed language from Sevilla Commitment of 2025. It has the right balance by mentioning both the actions— mitigation and adaptation— together with the means of implementation needed according to UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement. The 2 other paragraphs, 39 and 40, should be read as a package with paragraph 38 to grasp the right balance and context of this climate action. They shouldn't be read in isolation. The group has exerted its maximum flexibility to avoid presenting further amendments in the understanding that these 3 paragraphs need to be read as a whole and should not be invoked in the future as standalone paragraphs without the necessary balance brought by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement, which identifies our respective obligations. We therefore request the delegations to accompany our amendment proposal concerning paragraph 54. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the Permanent Representative of Uruguay. The Forum will now proceed to consider the amendment submitted by the Group of 77 and China to paragraph 54H is circulated in an informal document on July 14, 2026. A recorded vote has been requested on the amendment submitted by the Group of 77 and China to paragraph 54H of the draft minister declarations. Does any delegations wish to make a statement in explanation of vote before the vote on the amendment. I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ireland.

Excellencies, the EU and its member states were very disappointed that an amendment was proposed to delete the wording in 54H recalling the UAE consensus From the section on SDG 7, the major agreement was a milestone embraced by 198 of us and adopted less than three years ago by consensus. The UAE consensus is an all-encompassing agreement. The reference in the text is not highlighting or cherry picking any of its specific parts. The UAE consensus also unequivocally remains relevant. and is indispensable to the achievement of SDG 7. The EU member states will vote against the amendment deleting this crucial milestone, and we hope that other member states will also do so to show that we stand by our commitments and intend to act on them. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ireland. I see no further requests. The Forum will now begin the voting process. In accordance with Rule 61 of the Rules of Procedure of the Functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council, no representative may interrupt the voting except on a point of order in connection with the actual process of the voting. The Forum will now vote on the amendment submitted by the Group of 77 and China To paragraph 54H, as circulated in an informal document on July 14th, 2026, through the e-delegate portal. Those in favor of the amendment, please signify. Those against, abstention. And I would like to give the secretary now.

Thank you, Mr. President. If I could ask the sound engineer to please display all the states on the screen. I will just pause.

Okay.

Sorry for the delay with that. I think states have cast their votes and are now visible on the board to the amendment to paragraph 54H. Will all delegations confirm that their votes are correctly reflected?

Yes.

The voting has completed. Please lock the voting machine. Could we please see the screen where all states votes before we lock the vote?

Chair, point of order.

So can we restart the board? Because, you know, yeah, it is not reflected there. Can we— can you ensure that the machine is—

Yes.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, sorry for the confusion. The forum will now vote on the amendment submitted by the Group of 77 and China to paragraph 54H, as circulated in an informal document on July 14th, 2026, through the e-delegate portal. Those in favor of the amendment, please signify. Those against and abstentions. I will give the floor to the Secretary.

Thank you, Mr. President. The forum is now voting on the amendments submitted by the Group of 77 and China to paragraph 54H of the draft ministerial declaration as circulated in an informal paper on 14 July 2026. Will delegations confirm that their votes are correctly reflected on the screen? The voting has been completed. Please lock the voting machine.

I thank the Secretary. The result of the vote is as follows. In favor, 82. Against, 54. Abstentions, 12. The amendment submitted by the Group of 77 and China to paragraph 54 is adopted. Does any delegation wish to make a statement in explanations of vote after the vote on the amendment. Now I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of United Arab Emirates.

Thank you, Mr. President. The United Arab Emirates thanks the co-facilitators, the Permanent Representative of Albania and Sierra Leone for their diligent work in steering us toward a balanced ministerial declaration. We especially welcome the language on SDG 6 as we look forward to co-hosting the UN Water Conference with Senegal this December. The UAE also wishes to recall that the 2024 HLPF ministerial declaration welcomes decisions adopted under the UAE consensus. We further recall that the 2023 HLPF political declaration under the auspice of the General Assembly stresses the urgency of enhancing ambition for climate action in the implementation of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, and looks forward to the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement to take place at COP28. This is the first HLPF to review SDG 7 since COP28, where for the first time parties agreed a pathway towards energy transition in a just, orderly, and equitable manner. Alongside commitments to triple renewable energy capacity globally and double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. This has clear significance for Sustainable Development Goal 7, especially for Target 7.2 and Target 7.3. This is a time to be resolute in our commitments on climate change and energy and to affirm the importance of accelerating zero and low emission technologies, including renewables, nuclear abatement, and removal technologies such as carbon capture and utilization and storage. The UAE Consensus, which was agreed by all parties by consensus in Dubai, remains an international agreement of great importance in this regard. We welcome the work to advance its implementation delivered at COP29 and COP30 and welcome its discussion at HLPF. Accordingly, the UAE was not able to support the proposed amendment to paragraph 55 of the ministerial declaration. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of UAE. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Brazil.

Thank you, Mr. President. Brazil reiterates its unwavering commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. The transition to cleaner and renewable sources of energy is irreversible and imperative. Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all as enshrined in SDG 7, is therefore essential to achieving sustainable development in all its dimensions. As the presidency of COP30, Brazil underscores the urgent need to accelerate climate action during this critical decade, building on the consensus reached under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its parent Paris Agreement. The UAE Consensus, the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement, both adopted at COP28 in Dubai, as well as the Global Mutirão launched at COP30 in Belém, together provide a clear roadmap for collective action. They call on us to rapidly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, transition away from fossil in energy systems, accelerate just, orderly, and equitable energy transitions, triple global renewable energy capacity, and double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. They also provide strong direction for strengthening resilience and enhancing action to avert, minimize, and address climate-related loss and damage. Brazil remains fully and actively committed to supporting the implementation of these collective commitments through strengthening multilateral cooperation. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Brazil. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Colombia.

Muchas gracias, señor Presidente.

Thank you very much, Mr. President, for giving me the floor, and my thanks to the co-facilitators of the negotiations on the ministerial declaration, Albania and Sierra Leone, for facilitating the discussions in the plenary, and also Uruguay and Pakistan for the debate in the context of the G77 and China. Mr. President and colleagues, Colombia is a country of more than 50 million people, a mega-diverse country, a middle-income country, and a country that is making every effort to consolidate peace. Colombia therefore understands the concerns of the Global South and Colombia supported the majority of the positions of the G77 and China. Nevertheless, the United Arab Emirates consensus is a milestone in the fight against climate change. It is a milestone that reiterates the decision of COP28 to move towards renewable and clean sources of energy, to move beyond fossil fuels, to move beyond the extractive economy. It is central for my country and it is fundamental in order to achieve the commitments made in Paris. And to make progress on the 2030 Agenda. Thank you very much, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Colombia. That was the last statement in explanations of vote after the vote on the amendment. A vote has been requested on paragraph 18 of the draft minister declarations contained in document E/HLPF And before proceeding to the vote, I will give the floor to delegations wishing to make a statement in explanations of vote before the vote on paragraph 18 of the draft ministerial declaration. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Israel.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. Israel appreciates the work of the co-facilitators in managing the difficult negotiations on the declaration. Israel participated constructively in these consultations and showed flexibilities where necessary and where it could. However, my delegation was clear from the start that it did not and would not support certain politicized elements, elements that the proponents knew in advance would not enjoy consensus. Ultimately, these delegations decided that pushing through their narrow political interests was a higher priority than seeing universal agreement on the development pathway ahead. For this reason, Mr. President, Israel has called a vote on paragraph 18 and will vote to delete this paragraph. We urge other delegations to send the message that the UN declarations are not political stools or individual prizes that such actions made by a few delegations only cheapen these outcomes. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Israel. I see no further request for the floor. The Forum will now vote on paragraph 18 of the draft ministerial declarations contained in document E/HLPF/2011/1. 2026/L1 is amended. In accordance with Rule 61 of the Rules of the Procedures of the Functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council, no representative may interrupt the vote except on a point of order in connection with the actual process of the voting. Delegations are kindly requested to indicate their No, still not? No.

Okay.

Still the same problem.

Okay, again, sir. Delegations are kindly requested to indicate their votes. Wishing— those wishing to retain paragraph 18 should vote yes. Those wishing to delete paragraph 18 should vote no.

The forum is now voting on paragraph 18 of the draft ministerial declaration contained in document EHLPF 2026-L1 as amended. Those wishing to retain paragraph 18 should vote yes. Those wishing to delete paragraph 18 should vote no or abstentions. Will delegations please confirm that their votes are correctly reflected on the screen? Mr. President, I see a request from Uruguay. Is that a technical matter or is that—

At the beginning, it wasn't clear if we were voting in favor of an amendment or if we were voting in favor of retaining paragraph 18. So if each time you could be clear what we are voting on. But yes, I understand that is to retain paragraph 18 as it stands.

Thank you.

So just to repeat, those wishing to retain paragraph 18 should vote yes. Those wishing to delete paragraph 18 should vote no. Will delegations confirm that their votes are correctly reflected on the board? The voting has been completed. Please lock the voting machine.

The voting is now closed.

I thank the Secretary. The result of the vote is as follows: in favor, 113; against, 1; abstentions, 34. Paragraph 18 of the draft Minister's Declaration is retained.

Thank you.

Does any delegation wish to make a statement in explanations of vote after the vote on paragraph 18? I see none. The Forum will now proceed to take actions on the draft minister declarations. Contained in document E/HLPF/2026/L1 as a whole, as amended. I would encourage any delegations wishing to make statements in connection with the draft minister declaration to deliver these statements after the adoption. Does any delegation wish to make a statement? Before the adoption of the draft minister declarations as amended?

No.

I didn't see none. May I take it that the forum wishes to adopt the draft minister declarations contained in document E/HLPF/2026/L1 As amended. I hear no objection. The draft Minister Declarations contained in document E/HLPF/2026/L1 is adopted as amended. I now give the floor to delegations wishing to make a statement after the adoption of the draft minister declarations. Delegations are kindly requested to limit their statements to 3 minutes. Now I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Israel, to be followed by Guatemala, Russian Federation, and Ireland.

Thank you, Mr. President. We have already made our statement before the vote. And we will now ask to disassociate from paragraph 18 and ask that their statement be made part of the proceeding of this meeting. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Israel. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Guatemala. Mr.

President, Guatemala expresses its gratitude for the organization of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and recognizes the importance of this space for evaluating progress, identifying challenges, and reiterating collective commitment to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In that regard, Guatemala believes it is essential that the international community continue to work in a joint and coordinated way and in a spirit of cooperation in order to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and make sure that no one is left behind. With regards to the reference to transboundary cooperation contained in the ministerial declaration, Guatemala considers that this constitutes a mechanism for cooperation between states and other relevant actors that could help address common challenges and promote sustainable development. Provided that this takes place as appropriate on a voluntary basis and with full respect for the national circumstances of each state. For Guatemala, all cooperation modalities should be carried out fully in line with the political constitution of the republic, the national legal order, the exercise of state sovereignty over national resources located within its jurisdiction, and respect for the sovereign equality of states and their territorial integrity. In that— with that understanding, Guatemala considers that the reference contained in the ministerial declaration does not create new legal obligations for states, nor does it modify existing rights and obligations under international law. Guatemala therefore reiterates its commitment to international cooperation and to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in accordance with its national development priorities. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Guatemala. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Russian Federation.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Russian Federation does not cast any doubt on the importance of dialogue on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and we've been consistent in our support for the work of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. We are convinced that the main task of the forum is to consolidate the efforts of states around the delivery of the 2030 Agenda. What was agreed on this year, the ministerial declaration, Unfortunately, unduly emphasizes human rights and gender issues. Nonetheless, the Russian Federation joined the consensus on the outcome document of the forum. However, we are compelled to distance ourselves from paragraph 13, which has to do with peace and security. It's our view that the text of the paragraph is not balanced and exceeds the bounds of the forum and the sustainability agenda because it bears on the work of the United Nations Security Council. What's more, the language used in the paragraph demonstrates a selective approach to the principles of the United Nations Charter. This approach is one with which we disagree. in no uncertain terms, we deem it unacceptable. We've consistently held that all of the principles of the Charter need to be held up in their entirety and in their mutual connectedness and not selectively. We would call for this stance to be reflected in the record of the meeting, and we thank you for your attention.

I thank the distinguished representative of Russian Federation. Now I give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of Ireland, to be followed by Japan, Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, and United Kingdom.

Thank you, President. I have the honor to deliver this explanation of position on behalf of the European Union and its member states. We thank the co-facilitators, Her Excellency Ambassador Suela Janina, Permanent Representative of Albania, and His Excellency Ambassador Michael Imram Kanu, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone for their sincere efforts in the pursuit of a consensus-orientated Ministerial Declaration. The EU and its Member States are pleased to support the Ministerial Declaration as this year's contribution to our common follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda. During the negotiations, the EU aimed for a robust and realistic state of play on, and recommendations for, the 5 critical SDGs under review. Specifically, we stressed the need to strengthen global water governance, expand clean, affordable, and resilient energy access and investment, bridge divides and boost inclusive sustainable development in infrastructure, innovation, and digital transformation, promote resilient, inclusive, well-funded cities, and strengthen partnerships and mobilize finance from all sources to close the SDG gap. Furthermore, the EU sought to underline the 3 following cross-cutting priority issues. Firstly, on gender equality as a critical enabler of all sustainable development efforts across the agenda. In this regard, we regret that the text does not clearly recall the importance of gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Secondly, climate change is an existential threat which jeopardizes the achievement of the SDGs. SDGs, and we see that in their implementation, the SDGs can contribute to climate action, both mitigation and adaptation. We're disappointed, for example, that references to climate-resilient infrastructure were not retained in the text, despite the reality of dire impacts of climate change we all face. Finally, we also sought to better reflect the content and spirit of the Sevilla Commitment on financing. Overall, the text reflects all these elements. However, we would like our positions on certain issues to be reflected in the report. With regard to partnerships, we regret that the text contains caveats undermining the participation of stakeholders and the whole-of-society approach, notably in paragraph 27. These caveats contradict the 2030 Agenda itself. We recall that enhancing a whole-of-society approach and meaningful participation and engagement of stakeholders is a prerequisite to the achievement, and we disassociate from the unhelpful new caveats that were introduced. Finally, we sincerely regret that the reference to the UAE Consensus, a document adopted by consensus which is explicitly relevant to SDG 7, was deleted. Colleagues, Excellency, the EU strongly supports the High-Level Political Forum as our joint platform to review and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. This role is more important than ever at this critical time as we run up to the 2030. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Ireland speaking on behalf of the member states of the European Union. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Japan.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the co-facilitators for making a tremendous effort in facilitating negotiations towards the adoption of the ministerial declaration. Japan places great importance to achieving the SDGs. While advancing various initiatives domestically, we have also made our own contributions, including providing support for developing countries to ensure that international efforts bear fruit to that end. We therefore consider it crucial to properly manage progress towards 2030 as well as conduct an effective follow-up. The importance of this ministerial declaration is self-evident on Japan-joined consensus for the draft resolution. However, this does not mean Japan fully endorses its content. First, paragraph 17 emphasizes only a specific element contained in the Rio Declaration on environment and development and focuses solely on CBDR, which is unbalanced in light of the declaration's purposes and spirit. Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the concept of CBDR has evolved to overcome bifurcation between developing and developed countries. For example, it has been clarified that principles should be applied in the light of different national circumstances. Therefore, we believe it is inappropriate to single out CBDR alone in this paragraph. On paragraph 62, addressing debt architecture, Japan ultimately decided to accept it since it followed the wording of the SDG targets. However, we feel it is inappropriate to prejudge ongoing discussions on debt issues within the G20 and Paris Club, which would make the debt architecture more complicated and it will not be an effective solution for debt issues. Japan has consistently advocated for this position, including negotiations on the Sevilla Commitments. Mr. President, we believe in the importance, importance of the culture of consensus that the United Nations, as a core of multilateralism, has long cherished. To realize the 2030 Agenda, Japan remains committed to cooperating with all the member states. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Japan. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Australia speaking on behalf of the CANZUS Group.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm honored to speak on behalf of Canada, New Zealand, and my own country, Australia. We thank the co-facilitators, the Permanent Representatives of Albania and Sierra Leone, and the Secretariat for their dedication over a long and challenging negotiation. At a high level, the Declaration includes important messages on sustainable development, retains support for countries in special situations, including SIDS, and reflects a shared commitment to the 2030 Agenda. That said, Cairns is disappointed by aspects of the process and the outcome. Cairns consistently advocated for a concise, focused, and impactful declaration, one that was accessible and understood by our communities and our political leaders. Frankly, we've not achieved this. We are disappointed with negotiations that were too long, marked by disruptive and poor faith practices. These actions made sustained engagement and bridge-building difficult. Cairns worked constructively to propose and defend meaningful language on gender equality and climate change, recognising that neither issue is peripheral to sustainable development— they are fundamental to it. We are disappointed that over the course of 3 months of negotiations and 6 full readings, ambition across these important cross-cutting issues was gradually and consistently weakened. This weakening has unfortunately continued today with the amendment to delete reference to the UAE Consensus. The UAE Consensus represents the most recent globally agreed commitments to accelerate the energy transition and improve energy efficiency. These are directly relevant to achieving SDG Targets 7.2 and 7.3 and should be in today's Declaration. We wish to put on record that we view the Rio Principles principles as a package, with no single principle taking precedence over others, and that we do not regard the formula in paragraph 17 as setting a precedent for other UN processes. We hope that as 2030 draws near, we can genuinely reflect on how we negotiate this document in the final 3 years to 2030. We owe it to our ministers, to our publics, and to the most vulnerable, for whom the SDGs are so very critical to be future-looking, ambitious, and impactful. We regret that this document did not achieve that this year. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Australia speaking on behalf of the CANZUS. Now I would like to give the floor to distinguished representative of Islamic Republic of Iran.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. Mr. President, thank you very much for the floor and I appreciate your job co-facilitators. Further to our registered reservation regarding the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates that this political declaration is a voluntary and non-legally binding instrument. Iran does not consider itself committed to provisions that are inconsistent with its national priorities laws, regulations, policies, or cultural and religious values. Iran participated constructively in the negotiations with the aim of achieving a balanced and consensus-based outcome. We regret, however, that the declaration fails to recognize that military aggression and violation of the Charter of the United Nations constitute grave obstacles to the Sustainable Development Goals. Over recent months, my country has repeatedly been subjected to unlawful military aggression, including during negotiations. Such acts have become a major obstacle to achieving all Sustainable Development Goals. These continuous attacks have claimed the lives of thousands of civilians, particularly women and children. The attack on Minob's Gelt Primary School is only one tragic example. Critical civilization infrastructure has also been targeted, weakening national developing capacities and causing severe human, economic, social, and long-term environmental harm. For this reason, the delegation of Iran dissociates itself from paragraph 13. The paragraph should have explicitly addressed the situation of countries subjected to military aggression and condemned attacks against civilian infrastructure including schools, hospitals, bridges, water systems, cultural sites, transportation networks, and other essential public facilities. Its failure to reflect these realities overlooks major barriers to sustainable development and protection of civilian population. Mr. President, unilateral coercive measures are unjust and contrary to the Charter of the United Nations, international law, and fundamental human rights. This undermines the civilian equality of states, restricts trade and investment, and obstruct the right to development. The consequences extend beyond economic losses by weakening efforts to eradicate poverty, protect public health, and achieve strengthening resilience and achieve sustainable development. Such measures restrict access to finance, technology, scientific cooperation, and essential goods and services, disproportionately affecting populations in targeted countries and placing the development aspirations of more than 2 billion people at risk. With regard to the climate change provisions, my delegation aligns itself with the position of Group of 77 and China. We emphasize that climate action must be implemented in full accordance with UNCCC, including the principle of CBDRRC, and in the light of different national circumstances. Mitigation and adaptation, together with provisions of adequate means of implementation, including finance, technology transfer, and capacity building, must remain balanced and mutually reinforcing. I thank you, Excellency.

I thank the distinguished representative of Islamic Republic of Iran. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of United Kingdom, to be followed by Holy See and

Thank you, Mr.

President. Thank you to the Permanent Representatives of Sierra Leone and Albania for their leadership through these negotiations. We welcome the HLPF Ministerial Declaration and its focus on clean water and energy, sustainable cities and infrastructure, innovation and partnerships, which are all critical to accelerating progress across the 2030 Agenda. We welcome the strong focus on climate, disability inclusion, and gender responsiveness, as well as mention of the Paris Agreement and temperature goal and links to UN reform. These are central considerations for delivering the goals under review. We also welcome mention of agreements from the severe commitment to mobilize finance from all sources. We look forward to taking these conversations forward through COP31 and the UN Water Conference later this year. We also note a few points of concern. We must disassociate from the reference to common but differentiated responsibilities in paragraph 17, given CBDR is not considered to be a principle of customary international law and therefore is not applicable to this statement. We consider that any reference to CBD, RRC, DNC should be balanced, accompanied by a clear emphasis on the urgency of accelerating action based on the best available science and the latest Global Stocktake targets, and should be strictly confined to use within the UNFCCC. On paragraph 54, we regret that the reference to the UAE Consensus was removed. The UAE Consensus is an important milestone and globally agreed only 3 years ago, should very much be in this statement. On process, we're also concerned that paragraph 38 was added after the Declaration had gone through several silence procedures. This risks setting a bad precedent, and we encourage a transparent and inclusive process in future. That being said, we remain firmly supportive of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs, and we look forward to working with with you all to drive high ambition and concrete action to deliver these critical goals over the remaining 4 years. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of United Kingdom. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Holy See.

President, we thank you and your leadership, and we thank the co-facilitators for their efforts. The Holy See attaches great importance to the HLPF and its outcome document. In this regard, the Holy See welcomes the adoption of this ministerial declaration, which includes a number of important elements, such as the reaffirmation that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge And the commitment to accelerate actions to end hunger, food insecurity, and all forms of malnutrition, and the reaffirmation that the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation are essential for the full enjoyment of the right to life. While welcoming the inclusion of these and others positive aspects, the Holy See nevertheless feels obliged to express its concern regarding an emerging trend witnessed during these negotiations. Language reaffirming the centrality of poverty eradication and the imperative of ending hunger was repeatedly questioned, qualified, or made contingent upon consideration unrelated to their intrinsic importance. And the Holy See wishes to state clearly that the eradication of poverty is not simply one priority among many. The first paragraph of the 2030 Agenda, agreed by all States, recognizes that eradicating poverty is the greatest global challenge. Likewise, ending hunger and achieving food security was agreed as a matter of priority. Eradicating poverty and hunger is a moral imperative. Therefore, the Holy See strongly reaffirms that the eradication of poverty is the overarching objective of the 2030 Agenda, and its eradication, as well as that of hunger, can't be treated as negotiable balances within a text, nor should their prominence depend upon the relative frequency with which other SDGs are referenced. As we enter in the final years of implementing the 2030 Agenda and begin to reflect on what comes next, the Holy See considers it essential that the international community preserve the ambition and integrity of the commitments already made. Finally, the Holy See reiterates that the term gender and its derivatives are understood by the Holy See as grounded in biological sexual identity, that is, the 2 sexes, male and female. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Holy See. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Paraguay.

Muchas gracias, señor.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. I would now like to present the explanation of a national position In relation to the adoption of the ministerial declaration regarding the 2030 Agenda, we should point out that paragraph 64 of Resolution 60/1 that adopted the 2030 Agenda reaffirms the voluntary nature of follow-up and review processes of its implementation, which should be carried out in accordance with the normative frameworks and national priorities. Consequently, the national government is implementing development plans in full exercise of the sovereignty of the Paraguayan state with unlimited respect for its constitution. And we would like to recall that for Paraguay, any definition of gender refers exclusively to the differentiation between women and men. The Constitution of the Republic of Paraguay is the normative framework in effect, and it lays the basis for real and effective equality and allows for no discrimination. With regard to the references to food systems and agrofood systems, Paraguay understands that the promotion of sustainable and resilient agriculture must take into account the different circumstances, capacities, and priorities of nations. With regard to the reference to the promotion of safe nutritional and healthy diets in paragraph 31, Paraguay understands that this should be implemented with respect for national circumstances, cultural diversity, food traditions, and consumption habits of each country, avoiding prescriptive or uniform approaches. With regard to the Pact for the Future referred to in paragraph 35, we reiterate the national position that was expressed during its adoption that it is non-binding and will be applied in accordance with our constitution and the legislation that is in force In particular, we reiterate that the content of the document will not be interpreted as language limiting the capacity to produce food nor the configuration of the production system with a view to achieving national development. Moreover, with regard to paragraph 42, Paraguay wishes to point out that it is solely party to the Cartagena Protocol on Biotechnology Safety of the Convention on Biodiversity. That it is not bound by the other protocols adopted in the framework of that convention to which it has not acceded. Or equally, with regard to the reference to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Paraguay understands that this instrument constitutes a political framework adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Biodiversity Convention, and therefore it does not alter or modify the legal nature, scope, or obligations derived from the Convention, which constitutes a legally binding international treaty for its respective States Parties. Lastly, my delegation wishes to put on record that Paraguay disassociates from paragraph 15 of the document. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Paraguay. And Excellencies, distinguished delegates, colleagues, we have thus concluded the considerations of all the items on the agenda of the forum. I now invite— We have already—

Sorry for that.

I now invite the Forum to begin its consideration of Agenda Item 4 on the adoption of the draft procedural report of the sessions, which is contained in document E/HLPF/2026/L2. The draft procedural report contains information on the organizational aspect of the 2026 sessions of the Forum under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. In my capacity as President of the Council, I will finalize the draft report with the support of the Secretariat and it will be issued as a full report of the Forum's proceedings. Are there any comments On the draft report. May I take it that the Forum wishes to adopt the draft report contained in the document E/HLPF/2026/L2 and to authorize me as the President of the Council to finalize the report to conclude all the proceedings of the Forum?

Yes.

I hear no objections. It is so decided. The Forum has thus concluded its consideration of Agenda Item 4. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, we have thus concluded the consideration of all the items on the agenda of the Forum. With this, we have reached the end of the very intense and highly productive High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council at its 2026 session. I now invite Mr. Navid Hanif, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, to deliver his closing remarks. Hanif, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President. Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, distinguished delegates, representatives of civil society, dear colleagues and friends, it is my honour to deliver these closing remarks on behalf of the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. I thank the President of Economic and Social Council, the Bureau, Member States, major groups and other stakeholders, and our UN partners for their leadership throughout this forum. Over the past 2 weeks, more than 100 ministers and high-level representatives, senior UN leaders, and over 1,300 Stakeholders came together with a shared purpose to turn ambition into action. The discussions were candid. The message was clear: 15% of the SDG targets have moved backwards. Only 36% are on track. Or making moderate progress. Yet progress is possible, but it is not automatic. It follows political leadership, sound policies, investment, and strong partnerships. Our discussions on the review goals reinforced that lesson. On SDG 7, renewable energy is expanding at record speed, but success is measured not in megawatts alone. It is measured by whether every family has reliable and affordable energy. On SDG 6, Water security is about far more than infrastructure. It depends on resilient institutions, integrated water management, and sustained investment in sanitation and water— wastewater systems. On SDG 9, productive capacity is the engine of sustainable development. Innovation must reach small businesses as well as major firms. On SDG 11, cities are where the SDGs become real. Better housing, better transport, better public services. More than 400 volunteer Voluntary local reviews show that local action is accelerating global progress. Excellencies, a common message emerged across every discussion: development works best when policies are integrated, implementation is country-led, and financing supports national priorities. That means expanding fiscal space, tackling unsustainable debt, lowering the cost of capital, strengthening institutions, investing in data, and rapidly implementing the Sevilla Commitment to help close the SDG financing gap. The 36 voluntary national reviews reminded us that there is no single path to sustainable development. Countries differ in their circumstances, but successful approaches share common foundations: strong institutions, reliable data, local leadership, and partnerships. They bring together governments, communities, business, and civil society. The reviews from Small Island Developing States demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of climate vulnerability. African countries highlighted determined efforts to build productive capacity, expand digital connectivity, invest in sustainable infrastructure. These experiences remind us that solutions are most effective when they are nationally owned and internationally supported. Excellencies, as we close this forum, one message stands above all others: the SDGs are not beyond reach. But they are beyond business as usual. The Forum does not mark the end of our work. It marks the beginning of the next phase— from commitments to implementation, from fragmented action to integrated solutions, from promises to measurable results. The road to the 2027 SDG Summit starts today. Let's move forward with urgency, solidarity, and determination. This ends the remarks by the Under-Secretary-General. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the ASC, Hanif, and for this closing remark on behalf of the USC. Now I will deliver my closing remarks as the President of the ECOSOC. Honorable Ministers, ASG Hanif, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, dear colleagues, I am honored to deliver these remarks at the closing of this 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. As we bring the forum to a close, I thank you for your active participation and engagement. Over these past 2 weeks, the High-Level Political Forum has reviewed progress, shared practical experiences, and identified the most urgent priorities of the final years of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The richness of our discussions reflected the diversity of the experiences across countries and across stakeholders while reaffirming our shared commitment to sustainable development. Our discussions were rich in ideas and also in solutions. They were not only about accelerating implementations, but also changing how we work through integrated policies, through coherent partnerships, and through more effective international cooperation. As you have just heard on behalf of the Under-Secretary-General, thematic reviews provided numerous examples of successes that can be replicated and scaled up, including in the areas of clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, industry innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities, and strengthening of partnerships for the goals. They also reminded us that progress on one goal depends on the progress across many others, reinforcing the importance of integrated approach to sustainable development. I thank all the ministers and delegations for their statements during the general debate, which contributed key messages on delivering better, accelerating urgent and transformative actions to achieve the SDGs by 2030. These messages will inform the preparations for the 2027 SDG Summit. I congratulate the 36 countries that presented their Voluntary National Reviews, demonstrating political leadership, transparency, and continued commitment to peer learning. I also note that 10 countries have already volunteered to present their national reviews in 2027, and I would like to warmly encourage other members to do likewise. Today, We have taken an important step by adopting the Minister Declarations. The negotiations were not always easy. They reflected the diversity of the perspective that characterizes our membership. Yet today's outcome demonstrates that through dialogue, through mutual respect, and through compromise, multilateralism can deliver meaningful The declaration provides concrete policy guidance, particularly on the Sustainable Development Goals under review this year, and reaffirms the urgency of accelerating implementation of the 2030 Agenda. I reiterate my deep gratitude to Her Excellency Miss Suela Janina, Permanent Representative of Albania, and His Excellency Mr. Michael Imran Khan, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone, for their exemplary leadership as co-facilitators. The outcome bears witness to tireless efforts through many hours of formal and informal considerations, consultations, and they worked passionately and inclusively to bridge differences and build consensus. They and their dedicated teams deserve our highest appreciation. Dear colleagues, the High-Level Political Forum has reminded us that it is not too late to realize sustainable development, but the years ahead will demand urgency. Will demand our determination and, more importantly, demand our transformative actions. I express my profound gratitude to all the participants in this year's Forum for your commitment and for your contributions throughout this year— the Forum. I express my sincere appreciation to my colleagues in the Bureau of the Economic and Social Council To all members of the Council and to the Secretariat for their unwavering dedication and support throughout this process. And to my own team at the Permanent Mission of Nepal, my heartfelt thanks for the long hours and hard work they had to go through. As we move forward, let us integrate the lessons and outcome of this forum. We leave with a clear understanding of what must be done: accelerate implementations, mobilize financing, strengthen science innovations and data, and deepen international cooperation with particular attention to countries in vulnerable Above all, we reaffirm that achieving the goals will require transformative actions, inclusive multilateralism, and partnerships at all levels. As we look ahead to the 2027 SDG Summit, I invite your continued engagement and concrete follow-up. The work of this forum does not end with today's gavel. It continues in our capital. It continues in our communities. And it will continue in our institutions. Let us carry forward the spirit of cooperation that made today's declaration possible and translate our shared commitments into tangible results for the people and for the planet. I thank you. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, as we conclude the High-Level Political Forum, I ask the Secretariat to display a short photo montage reflecting the important moments at the HLPF. A big thank you to the International Institutes for Sustainable Development, Earth Negotiations Bulletin, for putting this montage together. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, before we conclude, I would like to remind delegation that Economic and Social Council will convene tomorrow at 10 AM in the ECOSOC Chamber for the final day of its high-level segment. Details of the program are available on the HLPF website and iGO. I encourage participants to share their feedback on the HLPF By completing the online survey. The survey can be accessed via a QR code available within the HLPF app, on the HLPF website, and projected in the conference rooms. Participants' inputs are highly valued and will contribute to improving future HLPF sessions. With that, I hereby declare closed the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council at its 2026 session.