EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Second informal consultation of the HLPF Ministerial Declaration

EU Statement - UN General Assembly: Second informal consultation of the HLPF Ministerial Declaration

17 April 2026, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States delivered by Mr. Loann Marquant, European Union Delegation to the United Nations, at the Second informal consultation of the High-Level Political Forum's Ministerial Declaration

Excellencies, dear colleagues,

I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

I would like to start by thanking the co-facilitators for the hard work that went into the zero draft of the Ministerial Declaration of the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. We also thank you for its timely circulation and for sharing a clear and helpful roadmap of the negotiation process.

The EU and its Member States have made a preliminary assessment of the text and would like to offer some preliminary remarks, in addition to more detailed written inputs to be shared next week.

First, overall, we appreciate the structure of the text and efforts made to propose a document which is shorter and more concise than previous iterations. We will seek to maintain this conciseness throughout the process.

Regarding the language and elements contained in the zero draft, we positively note that a number of inputs submitted by the EU and its Member States were included in this document.

However, we would like to also highlight that the text is missing critical elements, such as reaffirming commitment to the 2030 Agenda in the first section, and including appropriate language on human rights, gender equality, climate change and conflicts throughout.

Further, each section would benefit from including more concrete content, with SDG sections going more into detail, especially regarding pressing challenges and specific actions to take.

Regarding Sections I and II, we are open to balanced new language where it pertains to recent and new developments, initiatives and further next steps of implementation. In that sense, our proposals will include references to relevant major achievements in international processes, such as the entry into force of the BBNJ agreement.

However, we would like to stress that the text should avoid any unbalanced referencing of cross-cutting priorities and commitments. In this regard, we note with concern the introduction of the paragraph on unilateral economic measures in this zero draft. We recall that the EU and its MS explicitly disassociated from this paragraph last year.

We would also like to see a reference to the importance of contributions of volunteerism and community-based actions to the implementation of the SDGs.

Regarding the SDGs under review this year,

On SDG6, we underscore that water and sanitation are fundamental human rights and that this SDG is a critical enabler of the 2030 Agenda. While progress has been made, we remain concerned that the world is not on track to achieve SDG6 by 2030.

We call for a strengthened commitment to universal access to safe, affordable and climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene services, including menstrual hygiene, with particular attention to women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.

We further stress the importance of integrated water resources management, including at transboundary level, and of addressing water quality through the prevention and reduction of pollution.

Recognizing the interlinkages between water, food systems, ecosystems and climate, we highlight the importance of protecting the global water cycle and promoting sustainable water use across sectors. Strengthened international cooperation, including through the UN system-wide strategy on water and sanitation and the mandate of the Secretary General's Special Envoy on Water, will be key to accelerating progress. In this regard, we would also like to highlight the importance of the 2026 UN Water Conference at the end of this year. This conference will be a critical milestone for accelerating progress towards the achievement of SDG 6.

On SDG7, we underscore that the global energy transition is central to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, underpinning economic growth, green industrialization, poverty eradication, improved health and education, food security, gender equality, and decent jobs. We further underscore the crucial progress achieved on improved energy affordability driven by renewable energy technologies.

The EU therefore calls for urgent scaling up of global action to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. This must include expanding access to clean cooking, tripling global renewable energy capacity, and doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvements. We further stress the need to address structural barriers and enabling conditions to mobilize finance and investment in sustainable energy, particularly in countries with the greatest gaps. Furthermore, strengthening institutional capacity and advancing gender-responsive energy governance remain essential.

Accelerated implementation and enhanced international cooperation are critical for progress including via the Global Plan of Action for the Extended Decade and implementation of the Global Stocktake commitments under the Paris Agreement.

On SDG9, we note that whilst several key elements are reflected in the zero-draft text, there are some wider aspects that could be further elaborated. In this regard, it could be highlighted that advances made towards achieving SDG 9 have also supported essential systems in other domains, such as water, sanitation and transportation. Progress towards SDG9 has also been pivotal to boosting key transitions, such as clean energy, health, education, digital transformation and climate action. Further enhancement of the text could be considered with regards to the following: the issue of competitiveness, highlighting the role of climate-resilient infrastructure, the development and economic resilience benefits of a decarbonized industry, and a more prominent role of fostering innovation. In this context, the text should highlight the relevance of the Global Digital Compact and the opportunities and challenges of the digital transformation for achieving all SDGs.

Regarding SDG11 on cities, we positively note that core concepts and initiatives are adequately reflected in the text, including green and public spaces, and adequate and affordable housing.

However, we would like to further see the recognition that cities and communities are essential for reaching goals on sustainable development, digitalization, innovation, investments and talent development for competitiveness.

Moreover, language on environmental impacts, biodiversity, pollution, engagement of local stakeholders, heritage preservation and sustainable development, could also be strengthened.

Finally, as SDG11 has not been reviewed in-depth in an HLPF ministerial declaration since 2018, we stress the importance of recognizing key agreements and processes achieved since then or in preparation, including the upcoming New Urban Agenda mid-term review, UN Habitat resolutions, and the recognition of the impacts of sea-level rise on cities.

Regarding SDG17, while we welcome the inclusion of several key elements, we would like to strengthen references to policy coherence for sustainable development, among others, as a key component of SDG17's targets.

Finally, regarding the section on Voluntary National Reviews, many key elements are already present in the text. We would like to strengthen its mention of stakeholder engagement, especially youth, and we would welcome further references to interlinkages between VNRs and local processes, including Voluntary Local Reviews.

To close, co-chairs, your Excellencies, thank you once again for the work that has gone into the preparation of the zero draft of the Ministerial Declaration.

The EU and its Member States remain constructively engaged and at your disposal to support the further development of this ministerial declaration. We will submit more detailed written inputs on each section of the document next week.