On 7 May, at the Palais des Nations, we participated in the UN Expert Group Meeting in preparation for the 2024 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), which will take place in July 2024.

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

The HLPF will support the implementation of the Political Declaration and other outcomes of the SDG Summit and provide an opportunity to translate political commitments into practical actions. The expert meeting, organised by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Sustainable Development Goals (UN DESA/DSDG), UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the World Bank Group, convened experts from all regions, sectors, and stakeholders including international organisations, civil society, and academia.

Magdalena Sepúlveda participated as one of the Lead Discussants in the thematic discussion 3: Social Protection to Ensure Leaving No One Behind

Shahra Razavi, ILO, moderated the session. Other Discussants included: Nyovani Madise, African Institute for Development Policy Manuel Mera, CIPPEC, Argentina; Zina Nemeh, UNU-Merit Gong Sen, Zhejiang University; Monica Orozco, Progresa/Mexico and Helmut Schwarzer, ILO.

The session examined how social protection can build resilience in the face of climate change, conflict, and multiple shocks. It showed the interplay of care work and poverty reduction. It will highlight the importance of the “Leave No One Behind” principle and expand coverage to those who need it most. Despite the high up-front costs and debt servicing and borrowing costs faced by developing countries, such investments can yield long-term results far outweigh immediate costs.