The HLPF is the central United Nations platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs at the global level. It is the apex of the architecture for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda.

The 2024 theme will be Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.

The HLPF in 2024, without prejudice to the integrated, indivisible and interlinked nature of the SDGs, will review in-depth: Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere; Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; and Goal 17. Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

With only 17% of SDGs on track in 2024, it may need a deeper conversation on our relationship with sustainability and with ourselves. A group of academics from the Greater Toronto Area in Canada has created a reflection document to spark a more explicit conversation on the potential of including dimensions of spirituality in the dialogue on our shared futures.

The Canadian discussion falls in line with similar efforts made by the International Islamic University in Malaysia (IIUM), aiming to address spirituality, values and culture for sustainable development.

Mohd Israil, Khaliq Ahmad & Abdelaziz, Berghout (eds.) (2023). SDG 18 spirituality, values and culture for humanising sustainable development: a future worldview. ISTAC, Malaysia.