Attending the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) as a youth delegate for IBVM/CJ in New York was both inspiring and eye-opening. Among the many sessions I participated in, two Side Events stood out for their depth of discussion and their relevance to my own advocacy work.
The first was “Reinforcing Gender Equality to Realize Human Rights of Women and Girls” and the second was “MGoS – From Silos to Solidarity: Reshaping Multilateralism for a Fairer Future”. Both offered unique perspectives on how to break down barriers – whether they are between genders or between different sectors of society – in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The first Side Event made a lasting impression because of its powerful message: gender equality is not just one goal among many, it is the foundation for achieving all other SDGs. One statement that stayed with me was, “We don’t need to empower women and girls, we need to create the right conditions for them. They can empower themselves.”
The discussions were frank and urgent. Alarming statistics showed the devastating scale of gender based violence worldwide. The panelists emphasized that the lack of funding for women’s rights is not just a budgetary issue, but an existential one. They called for solidarity, not only among women and girls but across movements, linking gender justice with other struggles such as climate justice.
A personal takeaway from this event was the importance of creating safe, supportive spaces for women and girls to exchange experiences. I left with a renewed understanding that meaningful progress requires systemic change and dismantling the barriers that limit women’s rights.
The second Side Event focused on the urgent need to strengthen multilateralism by breaking down the “silos” that often exist between governments, civil society, and different sectors of advocacy. The session brought together high-level representatives, including Germany’s Parliamentary State Secretary Dr. Bärbel Kofler, and civil society voices like Andrea Tercero from the Women’s Major Group.
Speakers stressed that with only five years left until 2030, the SDGs cannot be addressed in isolation. Issues like gender justice and climate justice are deeply interconnected, and progress in one area requires cooperation across all sectors. The conversation also acknowledged current threats to multilateralism, from governments backsliding on commitments to the challenges of maintaining trust and adequate funding.
For me, the most important takeaway was the need for creativity and collaboration in multilateral processes. It was clear that achieving the SDGs requires a shift from fragmented efforts to a united approach that amplifies diverse voices – including youth, women and indigenous communities – at every stage of decision-making.
Both events reaffirmed that the SDGs are deeply interconnected and that progress demands breaking down systemic barriers, whether they are rooted in gender inequality or in siloed
approaches to global challenges. They also demonstrated the power of inclusive spaces where diverse stakeholders can collaborate toward a fairer, more sustainable future – and the essential role of youth in keeping these conversations bold and action-oriented.
Autor: Lili, CJ Youth Delegate HLPF 2025
Photos: (L): Youth delegate, Sima Bahous – Executive Director of UN Women and Lili; (R): Ambassador Paula Narváez – Permanent Representative of Chile and Lili. Both taken at HLPF Side Events
