The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2019

New York, USA

July 9-18, 2019

1. The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) took place in New York from the 9th to the 18th of July in 2019, with the wide participation of representatives of governments, United Nations bodies, international organizations, civil society organizations, and others. Completing the first cycle of HLPF, this year’s Forum took stock of national, regional, and global progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the theme of empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality. Particular focus was placed on the implementation of SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 8 (economic growth and decent work), SDG 10 (reduction of inequality), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions).

2. The delegation of the Republic of Korea was headed by H.E. Mr. Jeong-sik Kang, Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs. Mr. Kang shared the efforts of the Korean government in promoting just and equal societies and thus inclusive nations, implementing the SDGs at home and abroad through the establishment of an SDG monitoring mechanism adapted to Korea’s context, and increasing its official development assistance. Participating in a panel discussion about inequality and exclusion at an event co-hosted by the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Sweden, Timor-Leste, and Tunisia, Mr. Kang shared the recent policy efforts made by the Korean government with the aim of tackling inequality. On the margins of the HLPF, Mr. Kang also met with the heads of the MIKTA delegation and the Swedish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs to discuss issues regarding sustainable development.

3. The Korean delegation actively took part in various thematic sessions of the HLPF, with a focus on the issues of quality education, equality, climate action, peace, and justice. Mr. Tae-yul Cho, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, as the Chair of the Group of Friends of SDG 10, shared the outcome of the Group’s discussions about the policy measures needed for reducing inequality. Also, various side events were organized by the Korean delegation in partnership with the Korea Overseas International Cooperation Agency, Korean civil society organizations, and other partner countries and organizations, contributing to the follow-up and review of the SDGs.