INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN THE MINISTERIAL DECLARATION OF THE HIGH LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM (HLPF) OF THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2017
Joan Carling, co-convenor of the Indigenous Peoples Major Group for Sustainable Development (IPMG)
GENERAL OBSERVATION ON THE MINISTERIAL DECLARATION:
A Ministerial Declaration is one of the main outcomes of the annual High Level Political Forum (HLPF) as the global Follow Up and Review (FUR) process of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015. This negotiated agreement by UN member-States aims to provide further guidance and actions in the implementation of the SDGs.
In general, the Ministerial Declaration of the HLPF held in July 2017 is largely a reiteration of the commitments already made by States in the Political Declaration “Transforming the World” known as 2030 Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It lacks decisive actions and guidance to implement the SDGs in order to achieve the Goals and Targets. Global actions are needed to address structural barriers, policy cohesion requiring strategic political and economic reforms and transformation to achieve the SDGs and ensuring “no one is left behind”. It also requires actions for a balanced implementation of the environmental, social and economic dimensions of the SDGs. The political will of many States remains weak in putting into actions the commitments made under the 2030 Development Agenda such as the respect and protection of human rights, achieving equality, social justice and non-discrimination, transparency and accountability, among others. Further, the main development strategies and plans are still largely “business as usual” approach to development instead of transformative, as evidenced in the Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) of 43 States.
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