The second week of the 2026 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) marked the beginning of the Ministerial Segment, bringing together ministers, senior government officials, UN leaders and stakeholders from around the world to accelerate action towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Held in the United Nations General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters in New York, the Ministerial Opening reaffirmed the importance of global cooperation in addressing today’s interconnected challenges. Among those addressing participants was United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who called for renewed commitment, stronger partnerships and collective action to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals during the final years leading to 2030.
For the Action Lab For Development delegation, the second week offered another opportunity to witness high-level decision-making while reflecting on how global policies can translate into meaningful change for communities around the world.
From Global Commitments to Local Impact
Alongside the Ministerial Opening and General Debate, our delegates continued participating in discussions exploring how progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals should be measured and strengthened.
One particularly thought-provoking session was the Goals Lounge discussion, “Beyond GDP: Moving from Analysis to Impact.” The conversation challenged traditional measures of development by asking whether economic growth alone truly reflects people’s quality of life.
Reflecting on the session, our delegate Emery Song shared:
“For many developing countries, economic development can sometimes pay too much attention to GDP growth, big visible projects and numerical achievements. But in real local situations, people’s daily well-being, public services, dignity, accessibility, youth opportunities and community needs may not always be fully seen.”
He continued:
“The discussion on ‘Beyond GDP’ made me think that sustainable development should not only be about economic growth or numbers on paper. It should also ask whether people’s lives are truly becoming more secure, inclusive and dignified.”
From Action Lab For Development’s perspective, these reflections strongly resonate with our mission. Empowering young people, supporting entrepreneurship, fostering innovation and strengthening communities cannot be measured solely through economic indicators, they must also be reflected in improved opportunities, greater inclusion and a better quality of life.
Leadership and Collaboration for the SDGs
The Ministerial Segment repeatedly highlighted that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires more than ambitious national strategies. It requires collaboration across governments, civil society, youth organisations, academia and the private sector.
Our delegate Bryan Tumusiime Arinitwe attended the Ministerial Opening and followed the closing remarks delivered by H.E. Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Reflecting on the discussions, Bryan noted the strong emphasis placed on international cooperation, shared responsibility and collective action as essential drivers for accelerating progress on the SDGs.
Throughout the Ministerial Week, one message remained clear: no country, organisation or community can achieve the 2030 Agenda alone. Strong partnerships, meaningful dialogue and inclusive cooperation are fundamental to ensuring that sustainable development reaches everyone and that no one is left behind.
Looking Back on Two Inspiring Weeks
Over the course of HLPF 2026, the Action Lab For Development delegation participated in discussions covering SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), the Ministerial Segment, and broader conversations on measuring sustainable development beyond economic growth alone.
From technical policy reviews and side events to high-level political dialogue in the General Assembly Hall, our delegates engaged with policymakers, experts, civil society representatives and fellow young leaders from across the globe. These experiences have provided valuable knowledge and inspiration that will strengthen our ongoing work to empower young people and support sustainable development initiatives within our communities.
As HLPF 2026 concludes, one lesson stands out above all others: sustainable development is not simply about achieving targets—it is about improving people’s lives. Progress must be measured not only in statistics, but also in greater opportunity, dignity, inclusion and hope for present and future generations.
Thank You to Our Delegation
Action Lab For Development extends its sincere appreciation to our dedicated HLPF 2026 delegation: Christian Daru (Head of Delegation), Malak Kamel (Deputy Head of Delegation), Amina Oueddo, Bryan Tumusiime Arinitwe, and Yiming Song. Through their active participation in official sessions, side events, and dialogues with stakeholders from around the world, they proudly represented our organisation and demonstrated the important role that young leaders play in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
We thank each of them for their commitment, professionalism and thoughtful reflections throughout the Forum. Their engagement has helped bring youth perspectives into international discussions while reinforcing Action Lab For Development’s commitment to turning global dialogue into local action. As we conclude our participation in HLPF 2026, we look forward to building on these experiences and continuing to empower communities, foster partnerships and contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive and equitable future.
