Monday, July 14—Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind
Join the Pathfinders at this year's High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), where we will be speaking at, partnering on, and hosting a number of discussions and events exploring progress on SDG16+, and themes relating to halving global violence, justice for all, and inequality and exclusion.
As the 2025 HLPF undertakes in-depth reviews of SDGs 3 (health and well-being), 8 (decent work and economic growth), and 17 (partnerships for the Goals), the high-level side event will explore how these reviews can help shape the ambition and substance of the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2), to be held in Doha 4-6 November 2025.
This virtual side event intends to shine a light on how local actors are responding to the complex realities of today to foster more peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. The event will feature videos and stories of best practices and extraordinary efforts that civil society undertakes towards SDG16+. Selected videos will highlight how local practitioners are adapting in the face of existential threats to civil society, while continuing to lead change and advance the 2030 Agenda. These stories will showcase how they adopt an integrated approach by recognizing and acting on the interlinkages between SDG16+ and the SDGs under review at the 2025 HLPF.
In a year critical for multilateralism and against a backdrop of global milestones, from FFD4 to HLPF, the Peacebuilding Architecture Review and the Second World Social Summit, among others, this VNR Lab aims to highlight how, and why, SDG16 is present in member state VNRs (2025 and previous), share in lessons learned for improved follow-up and action, from consultations to outcomes, and unpack the relevance of peace, justice, equality, institutions and governance to any global development agenda amidst a rapidly evolving and uncertain geopolitical and economic landscape.
In this event, we will discuss the theoretical foundations and policy implications of taking a public health approach to reduce and prevent violence, and highlight initiatives that are effectively utilizing this model to increase well-being in our communities.
Hosted by the African Peer Review Mechanism and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Associate Director, SDG16+, Margaret Williams will be speaking on a panel about country experiences in promoting civil service competencies and mindsets to advance the SDGs and Agenda 2063.
