Changier Attends HLPF 2021

The 2021 meeting of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) was held from July 6 to 15 at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York. The forum serves as a platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

World leaders as well as heads of international organizations including Munir Akram, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSCO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Kristalina Georgieva, President of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Senegalese President McKee Sal addressed the opening ceremony of the forum.

Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for the United Nations Department of Economic and Social affairs presented the Secretary-General’s progress report on the SDGs at the forum. This report provides an overview of the world’s efforts to achieve the SDGs, revealing that progress has been made in some areas as the pandemic is threatening the fulfillment of the SDGs. Liu said even as the pandemic erases decades of gains in development, response efforts show signs of renewed global commitment to accelerate SDG progress. He added the decisions and actions taken during the next 18 months will determine whether pandemic recovery plans will put the world on a course to reach the SDGs.

ECOSCO President Akram called on everyone to take stock of the impact of the pandemic on the SDGs and review the interdependence of the SDGs to promote sustainable development in the economic, social and environmental dimensions.

The fifth formal session of the forum held on July 8 discussed goals on good health and well-being, reduced inequalities, peace, justice and strong institutions, and partnerships.

Zhang Yinjun, President of the Beijing Changier Education Foundation and representative of China’s non-governmental organizations, delivered a speech via video link at the session. Zhang said that improvement of life quality and care for public health are the foundation of human sustainable development. Not long ago, the UN adopted the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS, calling on all countries to provide a comprehensive package of people-centered, effective HIV/AIDS prevention programs. A non-governmental organization committed to the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS among youth, the Beijing Changier Education Foundation has set up youth clubs in schools and communities to offer classes about HIV/AIDS prevention and sex education. This proved practice, which has helped tens of millions in China and beyond,  was recognized by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and advocated to spread all over the world. Zhang added that Changier is willing to provide China’s solutions to the global goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

Emma Chen-Banas, UN Representative & Chief Administrative Officer for Changier Education Foundation, said that the meeting shed light on the Changier’s follow-up measures concerning HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment among youth. She added that she hopes all countries, especially developed ones, can unite as one in achieving the SDGs, addressing challenges brought by COVID-19 to the sustainable development, and putting the world back on track by making concrete efforts according to the agreed action plans.

Changier representative Tiffany Li said that the meeting offered young people like her insights into the severity of multiple global problems, especially HIV/AIDS. She noted that practical targets and plans should be set and implemented and Changier’s practice of HIV/AIDS prevention education in schools and communities can provide reference for other countries.

The HLPF meets annually under the auspices of the ECOSCO, including a three-day ministerial segment and every four years at the level of Heads of State and Government under the auspices of the General Assembly. The theme of the forum this year was “Sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that promotes the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development: building an inclusive and effective path for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development.”