2023 SDGs Learning, Training and Practice

INTRODUCTION

The United Nations high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF) in 2023 will be held from 10 – 19 July 2023, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. This includes the three-day ministerial segment of the forum from 17-19 July 2023, as part of the high-level segment of the Council.

The theme for the HLPF 2023 will be “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels”. In the forum, participants will be able to further discuss the effective and inclusive recovery measures to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and explore actionable policy guidance for the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at all levels.

The Division for Sustainable Development Goals at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA/DSDG) and the New York Office of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), are organizing the 2023 edition of the SDGs Learning, Training & Practice – a series of capacity building and knowledge learning sessions held annually as a Special Event to the HLPF, featuring speakers and experts from many sectors on crucial topics related to the implementation of the SDGs under review in 2023 HLPF as well as supporting discussions leading up to the SDG Summit in September.

THEME

The 2023 SDG Learning, Training and Practice Special Event will align with the 2023 HLPF theme: "Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels". It will also be closely connected with the following SDGs to be reviewed at the 2023 HLPF:

• SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
• SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
• SDG 9 Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
• SDG 11 Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
• SDG 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

FORMAT

The 2023 SDGs Learning, Training and Practice Special sessions are envisioned to be held in both in-person and virtual format.

Ten learning sessions will be organized and distributed during the first five days of the HLPF (10-14 July 2023) to be organized by Member States, UN entities and other relevant stakeholders selected through an open application process.

For online sessions, UNITAR and UNDESA will provide the online platform access, coordinate participants registration, outreach and reporting – online sessions will have 90 minutes duration.

For in-person sessions, guidance will be provided to selected organizers accordingly. Format and duration of in-person sessions will be defined at appropriate stage.

OUTPUT

The 2023 SDGs Learning, Training & Practice workshops aim to advance:

• Knowledge and skills acquisition
• Networking
• Sharing experiences and peer to peer collaboration
• Learning about practical actions and best practices
• Capacity building
• Practical policy integration and coherence

All sessions will be livestreamed, recorded, and open to all interested participants. All information will be posted on the website and a dedicated page will be set up at the 2023 HLPF website to promote information about the different sessions.

A summary report will be produced by UN DESA and UNITAR and published on the website.

OPEN CALL FOR LEARNING SESSION PROPOSALS (NOW OPEN!)

National governments and stakeholder organizations interested in organizing a SDGs Learning, Training & Practice session may submit one learning session proposal.

The application form for submission of proposals can be accessed through this link. Deadline for submission: 30 March 2023. 

Please note:

• Only submissions in English will be considered.
• Applicants will be asked to indicate their preference for virtual or in-person sessions.
• The selection of learning sessions will be based on the quality of proposals, relevance to the HLPF theme and focus of the 2023 SDG Learning, Training and Practice priorities (as indicated above), the expertise of the organizers, and willingness to produce the desired output.
• There is no fee for submission or approval of proposed courses.

Learning Session proposals should be submitted no later than 30 March 2023. Organizations of selected course proposals will be notified by 15 May 2023.