The SDSN at the 2026 UN High-Level Political Forum
From July 7–15, 2026, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and its partners will host a series of key events alongside the 2026 UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development.
The events will bring together scientists, policymakers, civil society leaders, and financial stakeholders to advance solutions to critical sustainable development challenges — from strengthening science-policy collaboration and accelerating the energy transition to addressing key issues in tropical forest finance.
Information will be continuously updated as details are finalized.
SDSN Events at HLPF
Science Day 2026: The Science-Policy Imperative in the Final Stretch to 2030 and Beyond
July 9, 2026, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM EDT | Online & Conference Room 3, UNHQ, New York | Register
Organizers: SDSN, International Science Council (ISC), the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
Building on the 2023–2025 editions, Science Day 2026 will convene members of the scientific community, policymakers, and other stakeholders at a critical moment for multilateral cooperation. As the 2030 Agenda enters its final phase of implementation, the event will examine how scientific knowledge is being integrated into multilateral decision-making processes. Discussions will explore where science-policy collaboration is helping accelerate SDG implementation, where gaps remain, and what is needed to strengthen the credibility and effectiveness of science-informed policymaking under current global conditions.
To attend Science Day 2026, you must be registered for HLPF 2026.
Accelerating Energy System Innovation and Transition for Equity and Resilience to Advance Global Sustainable Development
July 10, 2026, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM EDT | ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ, New York
Organizers: SDSN, Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET), Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Convening energy experts, policymakers, UN agencies, and private sector leaders, this side event takes place at a critical moment for global clean energy transformation. With SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) under review at HLPF 2026 and with progress still significantly off-track, discussions will examine how climate-adaptive power systems and grid interconnection can close persistent gaps in energy access, emissions reduction, and infrastructure resilience. Participants will explore where technological innovation and multi-stakeholder partnerships are accelerating the transition, where governance and financing bottlenecks remain, and what integrated policy pathways linking energy with water, industry, and urban development are needed to drive progress across the 2030 Agenda in its final years.
Scaling Integrated Forest Finance: Scientific Insights for the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Borneo
July 13, 2026, 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM EDT | Online & Scandinavia House, New York
Organizers: SDSN, Science Panel for the Amazon, Science Panel for the Congo Basin, Science Panel for Borneo, WWF
The policy brief, Scaling Integrated Forest Finance for Planetary Stability: Insights from the Amazon, Congo Basin and Borneo Tropical Forest Regions, examines gaps in current forest finance mechanisms and identifies opportunities to scale integrated, science-based financing approaches that recognize the global ecosystem services provided by tropical forests. The event will feature keynote presentations from the brief’s authors and scientific representatives from the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Borneo regions. A roundtable discussion between scientific experts and financial sector representatives will address key challenges in tropical forest finance and provide feedback on the draft policy brief.