The snail is about to run backwards – Push back the pushback

“The Sustainable Development Goals are not a dream,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the opening of this year’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF25) on July 21, 2025, in New York. “They are a plan. A plan to keep our promises - to the most vulnerable people, and to future generations.” 

For two weeks, more than 6,000 participants from around the world gathered under the UN roof to assess the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2030 Agenda obliges all member states to achieve the goals by 2030 – meaning only five years remain to make real progress. 

Bob Rae, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), who led the negotiations on the final declaration, put it succinctly: “The SDGs represent the common sense of humanity. Strengthening national ownership of the SDGs is essential.” He added: “We need to reaffirm the UN’s relevance through results – showing that multilateralism delivers real, tangible benefits for people at every Level of Society!“ 

And I‘d like to add: at all ages. The mood at the HLPF25 reflected the seriousness of the global situation: concerned, yet determined and hopeful. After all, what’s at stake is nothing less than our shared future – the health, justice, and dignity for all people, regardless of age, origin, or gender. The delegates were united in their commitment to the SDGs. A strong sense of resolve and energy filled the space. 

Shrinking spaces for civil society 

Germany was one of the few countries with strong representation from civil society – including a wide range of NGOs. Finland was equally exemplary: its Prime Minister even joined the opening session to reaffirm Finland’s commitment to the SDGs before the General Assembly. In contrast, it was both striking and disappointing that the German Chancellor did not even send a greeting, as was customary in past years. 

Our German delegation, however, was excellent: Parliamentary State Secretaries Dr. Bärbel Kofler (BMZ) and Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter (BMUKN), MPs Volker Mayer-Lay (CDU) and me (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen). Several mayors also took part – which is especially important, since many SDGs are implemented at the local level. In addition, there were numerous representatives from civil society organizations part of the official delgation, which I find had a very strong impact. Thea ranged from Bread for the World and UN Women Germany to Greenpeace. 

Many other countries were unable to bring civil society representatives – not due to lack of political will, but because obtaining U.S. visas has become increasingly difficult. In some cases, travel costs were simply unaffordable, especially for participants from low-income countries. Discussions about moving future HLPFs outside the United States are already underway, in order to ensure broader civil society participation. 

Health and well-being – One Health as a key 

HLPF25 focused on SDGs 3 (Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 14 (Life Below Water), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). My impression: global health is increasingly recognized as a key issue. The health impacts of the climate crisis – as well as the health co-benefits of sustainable economies – were highlighted repeatedly. 

The final ministerial declaration, that was adopted on July 23rd with 154 countries in favor, explicitly states what we know to be true: poverty causes illness, and illness causes poverty. Fighting poverty remains a top priority. The importance of the WHO for global health is strongly reaffirmed, along with the need for universal, unimpeded access to healthcare services. 

Final ministerial declaration

Reproductive justice and intersectional discrimination 

Negotiations on the final ministerial declaration – spanning 130 paragraphs – were intense. The United States participated actively, but mainly to voice criticism on climate protection and women’s rights. Despite efforts to find common ground, the U.S. – along with one other country – ultimately voted against the declaration, citing its “climate and gender ideological tone” as justification. 

Other countries issued interpretative statements: while they agreed to the declaration overall, they objected to the explicit use of terms like ‘reproductive rights’ and ‘intersectional discrimination’. 

123 and 0 – The snail is running backwards 

In the Inter-Parliamentary Union debate, I spoke about the deep links between SDG 3 (Health) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). If we continue at the current pace, it will take 123 years to achieve global gender equality. 

Currently, there is not a single country in the world where gender equality is achieved. 

It is urgent that we close the gender health gap and ensure unhindered access to reproductive healthcare worldwide. Progress has been crawling like a snail and now the risk is real that progress could start to reverse: the snail is even moving backwards. Around a quarter of countries are currently undermining their own commitments to gender equality, rights, and protection for all women and girls. We cannot let that happen. 

For this reason, I strongly advocate: Push back the pushbacks! 

HLPF ends with strong call for accelerated action 

The response to growing pressure on democracy and multilateralism – and the threat of backsliding on global commitments – was clear: Over 6,000 delegates reaffirmed their determination to accelerate efforts, especially for the most vulnerable populations. 

At the same time, during the HLPF, the International Court of Justice issued a landmark opinion: climate targets are not a voluntary commitment, but a binding legal obligation. This ruling was widely seen as reinforcing the forum’s call for accelerated implementation of the SDGs. the forum’s efforts. Wealthier countries in the Global North must take greater responsibility – because they can, and because their CO₂ footprint is disproportionately larger. 

Each country bears responsibility. But only together can we fulfill the promise of the SDGs. The 2030 Agenda is not just a plan, it is a global obligation. 

Push back the pushbacks – for health at every age, for people in vulnerable settings, for our shared future, to leave no one behind. Global health is key. 

We have invited Dr. Kirsten Kappert-Gonther (Member of German Parliament, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) to share her reflections on the High Level Political Forum 2025. The views expressed are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Global Health Hub Germany.