The High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development ( HLPF )  is the main platform of the United Nations dealing with sustainable development. It has replaced the UN Commission on Sustainable Development and enhances the integration and balance between the three dimensions of SD  by providing political leadership and guidance , progress review and addressing new challenges.

The HLPF meets every four years at the United Nations in New York under the auspices of the General Assembly at the level of Heads of State and Government , and it meets every year under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council . It was therefore a momentous experience for me to attend the HLPF as a member of the children and youth constituency.

I was the youngest delegate amongst the hundreds of civil society members and political leaders who attended the HLPF in New York. I also had the opportunity of making two interventions . The first intervention I made was on MGCY position on Future Generations in which we emphasized " that sustainable development is not a zero sum game – this also applies more specifically to future generations. A High Commissioner for Future Generations could help identify win-win pathways that benefit both current and future generations. Not caring for future generations on the other hand is a loose-loose situation. Short-sightedness harms both current and future humankind."

For the full text of the intervention please visit the UNMGCY webiste :

http://childrenyouth.org/2014/07/02/mgcy-afternoon-intervention-on-future-generation-1st-july/

My second intervention was on "Multi-stakeholder partnerships and voluntary commitments for sustainable development ensuring accountability for all" .

Details can be viewed on the youtube link : http://youtu.be/eJVqoTVpnhk

It was a huge learning experience for me to attend these high level negotiations at the hallowed United Nations in New York.