Policy brief for HLPF 2026
The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), will convene in July at the UN in New York under the theme “Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sus-tainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a sustainable future for all.” IUCN will focus its engagement on three of the SDGs 6, 7 and 11, that will be under review this year: SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
Our key messages:
SYNERGIES: Taking place ahead of the three Rio COPs in 2026 there should be a coherent commitment to con-tinue to build concrete operational linkages across the Rio Conventions, promoting and strengthening relationships with other conventions as well as with Agenda 2030, and international organisa-tions, institutions and agencies.
NATURE POSITIVE ENERGY TRANSITION: For SDG7, the HLPF should provide a clear path-way for a nature positive and just transition to sustainable energy systems ensuring that all en-ergy solutions deliver measurable net gains for biodiversity and are shaped through meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples, local com-munities and all stakeholders.
WATER GOVERNANCE: HLPF and the review of SDG6 is a key stepping stone to the UN Water Conference and should send a strong political message on a broad commitment to an intergovernmental process aiming at closing the global water governance gap.
BIODIVERSITY IN URBAN PLANNING: For SDG11 the HLPF should empower cities to lead a nature positive future by integrating bio-diversity into urban planning, strengthening local decision making, reconnecting people with nature, and driving ecologically informed, transparent and accountable development