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FAO and the 2030 Agenda Follow-Up and Review

2030 Agenda follow-up and review

As the lead UN agency responsible for food security and the custodian of 21 SDG indicators, as well as a contributor to further five, FAO plays an active role in the national, regional, and global follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda.

At the global level, FAO participates in the high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF), which serves as the main platform for reviewing SDG progress. At the regional level, FAO contributes to the Regional Fora for Sustainable Development (RF4SD) which convene key stakeholders to discuss both achievements and challenges. At the national level, FAO provides support for Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), which allow countries to review their SDG progress, share lessons learned and identify opportunities for improvement.

The Office of Sustainable Development Goals guides FAO’s participation in these processes and has developed a toolkit of resources for countries and regions in their preparation, engagement and follow-up actions at all levels.

 

2025 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF)

The 2025 HLPF, under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council, will be held from 14-18 and 21-24 July, in New York, convening under the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind”.

It will conduct an in-depth review of:

 SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

 SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

 SDG 8  - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
 SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
 SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

FAO is actively engaged in the preparatory process for the 2025 HLPF, providing technical inputs and participating in discussions in the various forums and meetings, as well as supporting coordination at the highest levels for its success. Throughout its engagement, FAO emphasizes the centrality of agrifood systems transformation for the achievement of all SDGs, showcasing innovative solutions and policy recommendations.

 

 

2025 HLPF Timeline

VNR_HLPF Timeline-EN
Preparatory Milestones

Leading up to the HLPF, FAO participates in global milestones that shape the Forum's agenda and provide technical inputs for the analysis of the SDGs under review. These include the ECOSOC Partnership Forum, ECOSOC Coordination Segment, Expert Group Meetings (EGMs) on the SDGs under review as well as further specialized Forums and Summits. These events, along with inputs from the Regional Fora for Sustainable Development (RFSD), ensure the HLPF is informed by diverse perspectives and actionable insights.

Read more about the preparatory milestones in focus for 2025:

Regional Fora for Sustainable Development

The HLPF is informed by the outcomes of five Regional Fora for Sustainable Development (RFSD), which are convened by the five UN Regional Commissions. These fora serve as platforms for sharing regional experiences, progress, and challenges, while identifying concrete policy solutions for the SDGs under review. 

Read more about FAO engagement in each of the Regional Fora for Sustainable Development:

Voluntary National Reviews

Voluntary National Reviews, carried out by UN Members are further key inputs in the annual HLPF and of the follow-up and review architecture of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs overall.  FAO supports countries to prepare their VNR reports, providing dedicated engagement with national and regional partners and key stakeholders. The FAO Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSG) has developed a tailored toolkit of supports for this propose. The toolkit includes a guidance note with timelines and roadmaps, webinar series and capacity building activities, as well as context-based consultations and support for the post-review action plans.

 

FAO and the 2030 Agenda follow-up and review: Guidance note for Regional and Country Offices

This guidance note details the VNR process and elaborates on the importance of leveraging agrifood systems transformations as a key accelerator for the SDGs.

e-Learning series: The 2030 Agenda Follow-Up and Review

This course series is designed to equip learners with the essential knowledge and skills needed to support preparations of the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) for the High-level Political Forum (HLPF).  

The series covers several core areas, starting with enhancing the ability to conduct evidence-based reviews of SDG progress, and utilizing data analysis and insights to inform future policies and actions. It also delves into integrated assessments and highlights the critical role of VNRs in this process. Emphasis is placed on the importance of partnerships and stakeholder engagement to ensure inclusive and participatory approaches in VNR preparations. 

Additionally, the series aims to empower participants to advocate for agrifood system transformations as a powerful catalyst for accelerating the implementation of the SDGs.

 

Read more about FAO's engagement in the 2024 HLPF Cycle
Insight
FAO at HLPF 2024

The 2024 Session of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) was held from Monday, 8 July, to Wednesday, 17 July 2024

2024 Expert Group Meeting on SDG 2

The 2024 HLPF conducted an in-depth review of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). In collaboration with UN DESA’s Division for Sustainable Development Goals, FAO organized an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) in March 2024 to take stock of where we are in terms of progress towards the SDG targets, to consider interlinkages with other SDGs and opportunities to leverage synergies and minimize trade-offs; to share knowledge about success stories, good practices and challenges; to identify particular areas of concern; and to suggest ways forward in terms of policies, partnerships and coordinated actions at all levels.  Read more about the outcomes of the 2024 Expert Group Meeting for SDG 2 here.

SDG Action Segment for Goal 2 – Zero Hunger at the 2024 ECOSOC Partnership Forum

Co-organizers: FAO, MGCY, Science and Technology Major Group (ISC and WFEO)

This segment highlighted the urgent need for multi-stakeholder collaboration, emphasizing synergistic efforts across public, private and civil society sectors to advance SDG 2. It called for an inclusive environment for bottom-up decision-making and strategic partnerships focused on shared goals, innovation and resilience.

SDGs under review at the 2024 HLPF: Reflections on the interconnections between the goals