High-Level Political Forum 2025: Portugal Champions SDG Acceleration
From 15 to 22 July, the United Nations hosted the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2025, the central platform for reviewing progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year’s forum focused on accelerating implementation amid global challenges, including climate change, inequality, and conflict.
Portugal actively engaged throughout the forum, reaffirming its commitment to multilateralism, with the SDGs as a blueprint for prosperity and sustainability.
In her interventions, the Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ana Isabel Xavier, reiterated that Portugal stands for reform, ambition, and results, mentioning some of its deeds as a reliable partner for a stronger UN:
- VNR follow-up and local action;
- Fellowships on Ocean, Digital & Space Affairs;
- Backing SDGs with concrete actions (BBNJ ratification, Climate-Debt Swaps implementation & WPS Action Plan)
Beyond the main sessions, Portugal participated in several thematic sessions and side-events. At the session dedicated to Africa, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Portugal highlighted key initiatives, including advocacy for the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) and moving Beyond GDP as measures of progress, as well as the promotion of triangular cooperation to strengthen partnerships and capacity-building.
At the session on SDG 14 (Life Below Water), Portugal stressed the vital role of science and international cooperation in advancing ocean sustainability. Portugal highlighted key contributions, including:
- The AEROS nanosatellite for marine monitoring and data collection;
- The UN–Portugal Ocean Fellowship, fostering capacity-building and knowledge sharing;
- Strong backing for the BBNJ Agreement as a cornerstone of global ocean governance.
