PhD Candidate Felicitas Fritzsche recently shared reflections from her visit at this year’s High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).
Key insights to the evolving landscape of multi-stakeholder partnerships (MSPs) at the global level included:
🌍 MSPs are more essential than ever.
As geopolitical tensions rise, public budgets tighten, and civic space shrinks, speakers widely highlighted partnerships as critical tools to advance multilateralism locally. However, the complexity of partnerships was often overlooked and references to transactional approaches were on the rise. Calls for co-creation and inclusion of marginalized groups—especially in side events—offered a hopeful counter-narrative. The formal program, however, could still foster more meaningful cross-sectoral dialogue.
🧩 MSPs need follow-up.
In week one, progress on SDG 3 (health), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work), SDG 14 (life below water), and SDG 17 (partnership(s)) was reviewed. Partnerships were frequently referenced in connection to the Sevilla Platform for Action and the 2025 UN Oceans Conference. Follow-up and review on these commitments and partnerships is crucial – as recognized in the HLPF ministerial declaration, but awaiting meaningful implementation.
🔬 We need stronger science-policy interfaces.
Under the theme, “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind”, HLPF panels tackled the role of knowledge brokers and the communication of scientific insights.
📢 More to come!
Follow Transformative Partnerships 2030 as we publish more findings on the transformative potential of MSPs in advancing the 2030 Agenda.