The 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) will take place from 14–23 July under the theme: “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind.”
This year’s in-depth reviews will focus on SDG 3 (Health), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships). Thirty-seven countries will also present Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) highlighting national progress on the 2030 Agenda.
According to the 2024 CIVICUS Monitor, over 70% of the world’s population lives in countries with severely restricted civic space. Among the 37 countries presenting VNRs this year, only six— The Bahamas, the Czech Republic, Finland, Japan, Micronesia, and Saint Lucia —are rated “open.”
These constraints threaten progress toward the SDGs by limiting public participation and silencing those most affected, especially women and marginalised groups.
📅 To get involved in HLPF events, see the official calendar here.
👇 Below are the key events that CIVICUS is supporting, either as a panelist or co-organiser (all times in Eastern Time):
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17 July 2025 |
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1. Resilience, Adaptation and Transformation: Local Voices reclaiming SDG16+ 2. A New Vision for Global Leadership: Selecting the Next UN Secretary-General (CANCELLED) 3. SDGs and Civic Space Under Threat: An interactive dialogue on existential challenges to civil society and strengthening resilience |
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18 July 2025 |
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1. CSO Engagement with VNRs: A focus on SDG 16 and 17 |
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19 July 2025 |
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1. Civil Society Weekend Workshop |
