The
UN Regional
Forums on
Sustainable
Development
(RFSDs) are
crucial
platforms for
driving
progress on
the 2030
Agenda for
Sustainable
Development by
addressing
region-specific
challenges,
fostering
regional
cooperation,
and promoting
inclusive
dialogue among
governments,
civil society,
the private
sector, and
other
stakeholders.
The chair’s
summary will
be submitted
to the UN
Economic and
Social Council
(ECOSOC) and
conveyed to
the 2026
High-Level
Political
Forum (HLPF).
In
2026, the
RFSDs will
center on the
theme:
“Transformative,
equitable,
innovative and
coordinated
actions for
the 2030
Agenda and its
SDGs for a
sustainable
future for
all“
Focus Areas
The
2026 RFSDs
will conduct
in-depth
reviews of the
following
Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs):
-
SDG
6 (clean water
and
sanitation)
-
SDG
7 (affordable
and clean
energy)
-
SDG
9 (industry,
innovation,
and
infrastructure)
-
SDG
11
(sustainable
cities and
communities)
-
SDG
17
(partnership
for the
Goals).
These
forums will
also support
countries
preparing
their
Voluntary National
Reviews (VNRs)
for the 2026
HLPF,
providing an
opportunity to
showcase
progress,
share best
practices, and
identify gaps
in
implementation.
2026 RFSD
Schedule
Asia-Pacific
Forum on
Sustainable
Development
(APFSD)
-
Dates:
24-27 February
2026
-
Location:
Bangkok,
Thailand
-
Facilitator:
UN Economic
and Social
Commission for
Asia and the
Pacific
(ESCAP)
-
For
stakeholder
engagement
follow: Asia Pacific RCEM
-
More
Information:
APFSD 2026
Arab
Regional Forum
on Sustainable
Development
-
Dates:
31 March – 2
April 2026
-
Location:
Beirut,
Lebanon
(Tentative)
-
Facilitator:
UN Economic
and Social
Commission for
Western Asia
(ESCWA)
-
For
stakeholder
engagement
follow:
ANND
-
More
Information:
Arab RFSD 2025
Latin
America and
the Caribbean
Regional Forum
on Sustainable
Development
-
Dates:
13-17 April
2026
-
Location:
Santiago,
Chile
-
Facilitator:
UN Economic
Commission for
Latin America
and the
Caribbean
(ECLAC)
-
For
stakeholder
engagement
follow:
TBC
-
More
Information:
TBC
UNECE
Regional Forum
on Sustainable
Development
-
Dates:
21-22 April
2026
-
Location:
Geneva,
Switzerland
-
Facilitator:
UN Economic
Commission for
Europe (UNECE)
-
For
stakeholder
engagement
follow: ECE RCEM
-
More
Information: UNECE RFSD 2026
Africa
Regional Forum
on Sustainable
Development
(ARFSD)
-
Dates:
28-30 April
2026
-
Location:
Kampala,
Uganda
-
Facilitator:
UN Economic
Commission for
Africa (UNECA)
-
For
stakeholder
engagement
follow: ARMMGoS on Twitter
-
More
Information:
ARFSD 2026
Why the
RFSDs Matter
The
RFSDs provide
a unique
opportunity
to:
-
Address
regional
priorities and
challenges in
implementing
the SDGs.
-
Foster
collaboration
across
countries,
sectors, and
stakeholders
to achieve
sustainable
development.
-
Share
innovative,
science-based
solutions and
best practices
to advance
progress on
the SDGs.
-
Strengthen
accountability
and peer
learning
through VNR
discussions.
By
advancing
evidence-based
and inclusive
approaches,
the RFSDs
continue to
play a
critical role
in ensuring
that
no one is left behind
in achieving
the 2030
Agenda.
The
forums create
inclusive
spaces for
diverse
stakeholders,
including
governments,
civil society,
the private
sector, and
academia, to
engage in
meaningful
dialogue. This
ensures that
all voices,
including
those of
marginalized
groups, are
heard and
integrated
into the
sustainable
development
agenda. Stay
tuned for
updates from
each RFSD as
we work
together to
create a more
sustainable
and equitable
future.
The Role of
Major Groups
and Other
Stakeholders
(MGoS) and the
Importance of
Regional
Engagement
A
strong feature
of the
Regional
Forums is the
structured
role of the
MGoS in
shaping
discussions,
proposing
solutions, and
holding
decision-makers
accountable.
The RFSDs
bring the 2030
Agenda closer
to national
and local
realities,
offering a
more
accessible and
politically
relevant space
for civil
society,
youth,
academia,
local
authorities,
Indigenous
Peoples,
persons with
disabilities,
and other
constituencies
to engage.
Many
stakeholders,
especially
those unable
to access
global
platforms like
the HLPF, use
the RFSDs to
influence
regional
priorities,
bring evidence
from the
ground, and
highlight
challenges
that are often
overlooked at
the global
level.
Because
the RFSDs are
geographically
closer and
more
context-specific,
they enable
more
meaningful,
continuous,
and inclusive
engagement
than
once-a-year
global
meetings.
Active
participation
by MGoS
strengthens
the legitimacy
of the forums,
ensures that
diverse
perspectives
inform policy
discussions,
and reinforces
peer learning
on how civic
space, human
rights,
environmental
protections,
and social
inclusion
intersect
across
regions. In
turn, this
contributes to
more robust
VNRs and
better
implementation
of the SDGs.
For
stakeholders,
the RFSDs are
therefore not
only
preparatory
events for the
HLPF, they are
key advocacy
spaces where
regional
narratives,
data, and
community
experiences
can directly
shape
sustainable
development
pathways.
Strengthening
MGoS
engagement at
the regional
level is
essential for
ensuring that
the 2030
Agenda remains
people-centered, transparent, and grounded in real challenges and
opportunities
experienced
across
different
regions.
