The 2016 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development concluded today with the adoption of a declaration that committed ministers from around the world to leaving no one behind in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Prior to the adoption, the representative of Nicaragua had requested a recorded vote to delete paragraph 19 from the declaration. By 141 votes in favour to 1 against (Nicaragua), with 3 abstentions (Egypt, Myanmar, Russian Federation), the Council rejected the proposal.

Through the text, Forum ministers stressed that the 2030 Agenda was a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity that also sought to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom. While reaffirming that eradicating poverty in all its forms was the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, they welcomed early efforts to address unfinished business from the Millennium Development Goals.

Speaking before the vote, the representative of Nicaragua said that during negotiations, there was no respect for General Assembly resolution 67/290, which guided the work of high-level meetings under the Council’s auspices. Certain things had been imposed on sovereign countries, he said, recalling that Nicaragua had rejected the Paris Agreement, a fact that should be respected.

Expressing support for including the paragraph in the text, a number of delegates underscored the need to truly reflect the views of all while others recognized that each State had the sovereign right to make its own decisions.

“It was only through active engagement and commitment that the High-Level Political Forum could fulfil its mandate,” said Wu Hongbo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, emphasizing that it provided political leadership, guidance and recommendations for follow-up and review. Congratulating 22 Member States for presenting national reviews, he stressed that they had showcased national actions and identified gaps.

Similarly, Council President Oh Joon (Republic of Korea) stressed that the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals required a transformative leadership, describing national development plans as the starting point. Such strategies must focus on reaching out to the most vulnerable, eradicating poverty and addressing discrimination.

In its final day of proceedings for its 2016 session, the Forum heard voluntary national reviews from 10 countries, spanning many regions of the world. Presenters discussed steps that had already been taken to integrate the 2030 Agenda into national plans, while also outlining challenges they faced in implementing the future development framework. Countries providing national assessments were Togo, Estonia, Philippines, Colombia, Egypt, France, China, Venezuela and the Republic of Korea.

Prime Minister Sélom Klassou of Togo, said the country faced significant development challenges requiring new solutions. He recalled that Togo had participated in the consultations leading up to the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, and had been selected as one of two pilot countries for the Sustainable Development Goals. Since then, the Government had taken a number of steps to integrate the global Goals into existing development strategies, he said, adding that, as Togo awaited the adoption of its updated national sustainable development plan, it would continue with a number of flagship projects for the most disadvantaged and seek to mobilize both domestic and international resources.

Hanno Pevkur, Minister for Internal Affairs of Estonia, said his Government was already implementing measures and taking actions in the field related to all 17 of the Goals, although it would be a challenge for Estonia to provide the data needed to measure progress at the global level. Ensuring productivity, developing an energy- and resource-efficient economy, addressing the needs of low-income citizens and decreasing the gender pay gap were other challenges. To preserve Estonia’s rich biodiversity, one fifth of the national territory enjoyed protected status, he said, pointing out that e-services were also in place to help make taxation processes and business start-ups extremely easy and efficient. 

Choi Jong-moon, Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs of the Republic of Korea, recalled that the country had experienced significant increases in its gross national income per capita and export volume over the last 50 years. Still, the country was facing challenges, such as the slowdown of economic growth, polarization of society, and low fertility rates. To address such issues and to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, the Committee on International Development Cooperation coordinated official development assistance (ODA) policies, he highlighted, while the Presidential Commission on Green Growth promoted the development of low-carbon and green technologies and industries.

In a parallel meeting under the main theme of “ensuring that no one is left behind”, the Forum continued its general debate where speakers discussed national efforts, synergies and partnerships between actors, and the use of reliable and aggregated data. Also today, the Forum held a panel discussion titled “prospects for the future (projections, scenarios and new and emerging issues)”.

Participating in the general debate were representatives, ministers and other senior Government officials of Libya, Croatia, Luxembourg, Germany, South Africa, Ukraine, Brazil, Jamaica, Syria, Romania, Guatemala, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Ireland, Nepal, Slovakia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, United Kingdom, Mali, Sudan, Lebanon, Bolivia, Indonesia, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Myanmar, Azerbaijan, Albania, Cuba, Tunisia and Jordan, as well as the Holy See.

Also delivering statements were speakers and other stakeholders, including organizations representing the major groups for children and youth, indigenous people, business and industry, workers and trade unions, older persons and persons with disabilities.

Also speaking were representatives of the World Bank, International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

Taking the floor as well were representatives of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, International Organization of the Francophonie, League of Arab States and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Speaking during the action on the Ministerial Declaration were the representatives of Nicaragua, Algeria, Egypt, Ecuador, Slovakia, Cuba, Bolivia, Venezuela, Russian Federation, Algeria, Iran and the United States.