H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) is on the list of the keynote speakers who will address the High-level Political Forum (HLPF 2025) Ministerial segment on Sustainable Development, which kicked off on Monday, 21 July 2025 to Wednesday, 23 July 2025, in the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, USA. Featuring among the speakers who took the floor during the opening ceremony are Bob Rae, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Philemon Yang President of the 79th General Assembly of the UN and a youth representative.

Holding under the theme: “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind", the three-days ministerial segment of the HLPF, will focus among others, on integrating scientific research and evidence into policy-making to achieve the SDGs and Agenda 2063, while ensuring inclusivity and sustainability. The meeting emphasized the importance of using data and scientific research to inform policies that promote sustainable development, ensuring that decisions are grounded in solid evidence, stressing the need for solutions that consider the diverse needs of all populations, particularly marginalized and vulnerable groups, to ensure no one is left behind in the pursuit of the SDGs.

The HLPF 2025 aims to inspire collective action and commitment towards achieving the 2030 Agenda, fostering a global environment where sustainable development is a shared priority and where the benefits of progress are equitably distributed.

The speakers underscored the importance of using data and scientific research to inform policies that promote sustainable development, ensuring that decisions are grounded in solid evidence, highlighting the need for solutions that consider the diverse needs of all populations.

A keynote address delivered by the youth’s representatives emphasized the critical role of youth in shaping a sustainable future, addressing challenges such as climate change, inequality, and access to education. The keynote on youth aims to galvanize support for youth initiatives and encourage nations to invest in the potential of their young populations as a pathway to achieve sustainable development goals. The importance of empowering young people so they can drive innovation and lead efforts in sustainable development, advocating for their inclusion in decision-making processes, were also discussed.

HLPF 2025 brought together ministerial and high-level representatives of governments, as well as a wide range of expertise and stakeholders, including heads of UN and AU entities, academics and other experts, and representatives of major groups and other stakeholders.

For further information please contact:

Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission and Communication Adviser, AU Permanent Observer Mission to the UN | Mobile: +1 (347) 812-7195 / WhatsApp: +251911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

Mr. Salaheddine Tiar, | Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chairperson | Cabinet of the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission | Mobile and WhatsApp : +251 953003133 - +213 549808627 - +1 6412061820 E-mail: TiarS@africanunion.org