High-level Political Forum 2021 Debrief
One year ago, the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) was the first major global gathering to keep its full schedule when it pivoted to a virtual setting. The pandemic had only been declared four months previously. Disastrous waves of infections had yet to strike. Privileged governments were still in the early days of deploying massive stimulus packages.
As the 2021 HLPF approaches, there’s cause for hope and concern. Approved vaccines are blunting COVID case numbers in some parts of the world; in others, shots are a rare or non-existent treasure. Economic relief has flowed to some people and environmentally sustainable sectors, but dollars have also gone to high-polluting industries while missing marginalized groups.
With a world reeling from the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, how will the HLPF build momentum for the 2030 Agenda and bolster commitments to Leave No One Behind?
The International Institute for Sustainable Development invites you to a panel discussion and Q&A session the day after the Forum closes, answering:
- How did the second virtual HLPF go?
- What challenges were identified and what themes emerged for moving forward with SDG implementation as we “recover” from the global pandemic?
- Where does the 2030 Agenda go from here?
IISD’s team of experts will provide a brief snapshot of the HLPF’s proceedings and challenges in the coming year.
Upcoming events
2026 Mining and Sustainability Forum of the Americas
The 2026 Mining and Sustainability Forum of the Americas takes place in Santiago, Chile on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. The forum’s theme is Mining for Development: Value addition and industrial transformation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
IGF 22nd Annual General Meeting
The 22nd IGF AGM will be held under the theme of Trust in an Interdependent World: Advancing inclusion and resilience in mineral value chains.
2026 Investment Policy Forum
The 17th edition of IISD's Investment Policy Forum will take place from September 16 to 18, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Foundations of Debt Sustainability: A training course bridging theory and practice
This course equips participants to critically assess and restore sovereign debt sustainability, design and implement effective fiscal frameworks, and engage meaningfully with international financial institutions. It is offered in partnership by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF).