Getting ready for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2016

Next week begins the first session of the global follow-up and review platform for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) - since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda in September last year. The eight days of discussions at the United Nations in New York will include the voluntary reviews of 22 Member States' progress towards implementing the SDGs.
 

With the leadership of IDA, and in partnership with IDDC and other disability movements and organisations worldwide, persons with disabilities have been engaging and contributing to the HLPF and are now recognised as the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities. The disability community coordinated an open and collaborative process for writing a formal submission to the HLPF on behalf of persons with disabilities, which received endorsements from 370 organisations worldwide. Download the position paper here. Click here for more details.

On Monday July 18th, persons with disabilities will be holding a town hall-style event alongside the HLPF to share and discuss experiences in engaging with their countries' national voluntary reviews. Representatives from Germany, Latin America, Morocco, the Philippines and Uganda will present during the event. The event will be moderated by Yetnebersh Nigussie, from Light for the World, Ethiopia, and representatives of Member State governments will be taking part in the conversations.

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In addition to the above event, persons with disabilities will be key participants in four side events during the first week of the HLPF. These will cover discussions on inclusive education, data desegregation by disability, tackling inequalities, and ending violence against children.

This Sunday, July 10th, representatives from across civil society are meeting, as Major Groups and other Stakeholders for Sustainable Development. The Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities are co-facilitating the meeting, and IDA's newly appointed Chair, Mr. Colin Allen, will lead discussions throughout the day.

Separately, but alongside the HLPF, the President of the General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, will be holding a high-level debate on human rights, for which José Vierra, of the World Blind Union, has been invited to deliver a speech on combatting discrimination and inequalities, on behalf of persons with disabilities. In partnership with other members of civil society, including Amnesty International, World Visison, Transparency International, and Together 2030, IDA will be hosting a side event to the debate, on the issue of shrinking space for civil society to participate meaningfully at the UN and in the 2030 Agenda.

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