Regions4 was represented by the Council of Governors of Kenya in the Preparatory Workshop for Major Groups and Other Stakeholders (MGoS) on Engagement in the 2020 Sessions of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) that happened on 2-3 December 2019. The Workshop discussed the available opportunities for participation of MGoS during the HLPF and provided peer-learning between experienced actors within the MGoS groups.

The Workshop had an introduction about the HLPF and the role played by the MGoS since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda. MGoS have been actively working towards its implementation, through projects, initiatives, advocacy, knowledge-sharing, and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda. Regions4 is an Organizing Partner of the Local Authorities Major Group and our members have been participating and contributing to several of these initiatives.

The 45 participants of the Workshop had an interactive dialogue, shared past experiences, and identified main opportunities and challenges in the 2020 HLPF. They explored advocacy opportunities and had practical exercises to understand the process of making interventions during the official thematic sessions. Moreover, they interacted with UN Member States representatives that will present VNRs at the 2020 HLPF and discussed civil society engagement. The work of the Regional Commissions and Regional Forums on Sustainable Development was presented, and participants examined obstacles and opportunities for better coordination at the regional level. Lastly, cross-cutting and emerging issues relevant to the 2020 HLPF theme were analysed in view of the road to the 2020 HLPF.

The Council of Governors (CoG) shared their engagement in the Kenyan VNR. The CoG is part of the interagency technical committee that is coordinating the process of VNR preparation and interacts with the national government, county governments, civil society, private sector and academia.

The outcomes of the Workshop include the need for better messaging commonalities of the MGoS, and embrace the ladder of participation which includes: inform, consult, involve, collaborate and empower. Subnational governments are ready to contribute to the 2020 HLPF engaging in national processes, pushing to have our voices heard, facilitating sensitisation and awareness, and implementing innovative policies.

2020 HLPF

The 2020 HLPF will be held from 7 July to 16 July 2020 in the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States. The theme will be “Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development.” This year’s HLPF will not focus on a set of SDGs because a comprehensive review of HLPF format will take place in early 2020.

Regional preparatory meetings will be organised by the UN regional commissions offering good opportunities to raise the voice of subnational governments.

For further information on engagement & participation opportunities, please click here.