The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) was held from Monday, 14 July, to Wednesday, 23 July, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This includes the three-day ministerial segment of the forum from Monday, 21 July, to Wednesday, 23 July 2025, as part of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC.
The theme is “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”.
The 2025 HLPF with full appreciation for the integrated, indivisible and interlinked nature of the Sustainable Development Goals, conducts in-depth reviews of:
Five years to course correct: Science and engineering for a world off track
DOI: 10.24948/2025.03
Publication date: 30 June 2025
Publisher: International Science Council
| Date, time (EST), location | Description |
|---|---|
| 14 July 11:00 – 13:30 In-person and broadcast on UN Web TV | HLPF official session: Unlocking means of implementation: Mobilizing financing and STI for the SDGs This event explores how to close the SDG financing and technology gaps by building on outcomes from the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. It focuses on mobilizing investment and strengthening partnerships, while promoting inclusive access to science, technology, and innovation to support sustainable and equitable development. ISC representative and Lead Discussant: – Robbert Dijkgraaf, ISC President-elect – Marcia Barbosa, Professor of Physics, Universidad Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) Watch the UN Web TV recording. |
| 15 July 10:00 – 13:00 UN HQ Conference Room3 In-person and broadcast on UN Web TV | Science Day 2025 (HLPF Special Event) Organized by: ISC, SEI, UNDP, SDSN, UN DESA Science Day 2025 offers an independent space for decision-makers, scientists, and stakeholders to reflect on science’s role in advancing the SDGs and envisaging the future of sustainable development. As a stocktaking and forward-looking moment, it will showcase solutions, foster dialogue, and spark ideas to drive transformative, evidence-informed change ISC representatives: – Robbert Dijkgraaf, ISC President-elect – Marcia Barbosa, ISC Vice-President for Freedom and Responsibility in Science Watch the UN Web TV recording. |
| 15 July 9:00 – 10:15 Online | Title: From Pact to Progress: Open Science, Open Innovation and Digital Cooperation Building momentum toward the 4th United Nations Open Science and Open Scholarship Conference, this side event will convene diverse stakeholders and delegates to discuss the mechanisms through which equitable and inclusive knowledge systems can seize on opportunities provided by new and emerging technologies. This dialogue aims to produce actionable recommendations for the implementation of the Pact for the Future Actions on Science, Technology, innovation, and digital cooperation ISC representative: – María Estelí Jarquín, ISC Governing Board member Watch the recording. |
| 16 July 15:00 – 18:00 In-person | Title: Small Island Developing States: Strategies for SDG success ISC representation: A statement by James Waddell on behalf of the Scientific and Technological Major Group. Watch the UN Web TV recording. |
| 18 July 13:00 – 18:00 The German House In-person (invitation only) | Title: Global Higher Education Symposium Organized by: UNAI, YORKU, UNESCO, SDSN, ISC This symposium explores the evolving role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in shaping inclusive and sustainable futures. It aims to reassess their value, autonomy, and global relevance in light of the SDGs and the post-2030 agenda, while addressing their underrepresentation in global policy. The event provides a space to reimagine HEIs’ contributions to knowledge, innovation, and lifelong learning, and to strengthen their role in connecting local action with global dialogue. ISC representative: – Robbert Dijkgraaf, ISC President-elect – Marcia Barbosa, ISC Vice-President for Freedom and Responsibility in Science Read the post-event overview: Bringing together diverse Stakeholders to reimagine higher education |
| 18 July 13:15 – 14:30 Conference Room E | Title: Science-policy interface for integrated decision-making for the implementation of the 2030 agenda and beyond Organized by: Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations and Stakeholder Forum, and co-sponsored by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the International Science Council The session will look at ways to use the science-policy interface for effectively integrated decision-making at different stages of the policy-making process and to inform and engage different stakeholders from governments, intergovernmental organizations, and academia to civil society organizations. ISC representative: – Morgan Seag, ISC Senior Representative to the UN System |
| 22 July 13:15 – 14:30 | Title: Strengthening climate and SDG synergies for accelerated momentum toward 2030 Organized by: UNDESA, UNFCCC This Special Event highlights how integrated climate and sustainable development action can drive accelerated progress toward the 2030 Agenda. Building on the outcomes of the Sixth Global Climate and SDG Synergies Conference, the event will feature the launch of three new Thematic Reports focused on: enhancing public health through resilient cities; protecting nature while advancing the SDGs and climate goals; and scaling up access to climate finance and insurance for vulnerable communities. ISC representative: – Marcia Barbosa, ISC Vice-President for Freedom and Responsibility in Science Watch the UN Web TV recording. |
The ISC will be represented by
Photo by Quinton Horne on Unsplash
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