High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2025

The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is the central United Nations platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The HLPF was established at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012 in its outcome “The Future We Want”. The HLPF is an integral part of the global architecture for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

The Forum is convened annually under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for eight days, including a three-day ministerial segment, The Forum conducts regular in-depth reviews of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and includes Voluntary National Reviews where countries present the findings from national reviews of progress with a view to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

In 2025, the HLPF under the auspices of ECOSOC will be convened from Monday, 14 July, through Wednesday, 23 July 2025. The high-level segment of ECOSOC, including the three-day ministerial segment of the HLPF, will be convened from Monday, 21 July, through Thursday, 24 July 2025. The theme of the 2025 ECOSOC and HLPF is “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind”. The SDGs to be reviewed in-depth are Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 14 (Life Below Water) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Aquatic Blue Food Coalition at the HLPF

Supporting seaweeds and their myriad contributions to advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and beyond

16 July 2025 | 9:30 – 11:00 | UNCTAD New York Office

Register here

Seaweeds are a powerhouse for advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including those currently under review. By boosting nutrition, enhancing food security, and driving pharmaceutical innovation, seaweeds can significantly improve health outcomes (SDG3). In coastal communities, seaweed farming and processing offer remarkable opportunities for women’s economic empowerment (SDG5). Having tripled from $5 billion in 2000 to $17 billion in 2021, the seaweed market presents a chance for countries to foster sustainable growth, create decent jobs, and support smallholders (SDG8). Seaweeds also play a critical role in mitigating ocean acidification, reducing marine pollution, and preserving marine ecosystems (SDG14).

At UNOC-3, the United Nations Global Seaweed Initiative (UNGSI) was agreed under the leadership of Madagascar, Indonesia, and France, in collaboration with UN agencies, relevant private sector associations, and scientific and civil society actors. The UNGSI will serve as a collaborative platform for developing the seaweed sector in market, regulatory, scientific, financial, capacity building, and advocacy areas. It will be launched at the 2025 United Nations General Assembly as an important step in fostering a global partnership around seaweed and strengthening policy coordination under SDG17. This event will showcase seaweeds’ multifaceted contributions to the SDGs, present the UNGSI as a concrete partnership underway as well as the development of a Seaweed Breakthrough to guide conservation and preservation efforts.

Tentative Agenda:

• Opening
  • Ms. Nichola Dyer, Global Seaweed Coalition, Moderator
• Welcoming remarks
  • Mr. Ike Levine, International Seaweed Association
  • Mr. Juan José Martinez Badillo, Chief UNCTAD, NY office
• Opening keynote
  • Mr. Paubert Mahatante Tsimanaoraty, Minister Fisheries and the Blue Economy or Ms. Lantovololona Felaniaina, Director of Aquaculture department, Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Madagascar and founding member state of the UNGSI (tbc)
    Panel presentations on SDGs under review:
• SDG3, Ms. Shakuntala Thilsted, CGIAR, World Food Prize Laureate (tbc)
• SDG5, Ms. Runa Ray, KelpTex / Anoushka Concepcion, Chair, GSC Strategic Advisory Council
• SDG8, Mr. Harrison Charo Karisa, World Bank (tbc)
• SDG14, Ms. Liz Cottier-Cook, Scottish Association for Marine Science – confirmed (virtual)
• SDG17, Ms. Chantal Line Carpentier or Mr. David Vivas Eugui, UNCTAD (virtual) / Mr. Jan Matas, CNRS
   

Co-organisers: Republic of France, International Seaweed Association, United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), World Bank, African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, Global Seaweed Coalition, French National Research Center (CNRS), Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), and Aquatic Blue Food Coalition.