Hello from the United Nations! Let There Be Light International and solar are shining bright in New York City.

In July Let There Be Light International participated in the High Level Political Forum in NYC. The HLPF is the main United Nations platform on sustainable development. It has a central role in the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the global level. 

The Forum adopts inter-governmentally negotiated political declarations and carries out regular voluntary reviews of the UN’s 2030 Agenda which include developed and developing countries as well as relevant UN entities and other stakeholders. The reviews are state-led, involving ministerial and other relevant high-level participants, and provide a platform for partnerships, including through the participation of major groups and other relevant stakeholders.

Executive Director Sarah Baird is an active member of the NGO Major Group, which performs a variety of monitoring and input tasks throughout the year. As a member of the NGO Major Group, Sarah is invited to the HLPF as a delegate hosted by an ECOSOC accredited NGO, Nonviolence International. Sarah contributes to the NGO MG position papers and other statements. This year, she contributed directly to the Interlinkages section (p.61-64). 

LTBLI’s photo of Gloria, a child reading by her solar light in Uganda (on p.71), was the only photo included in the position paper, because it illustrates the interlinkages of the global goals. Through access to solar lights, children can read at night, homes are brighter and safer, and overall health and well-being are improved. Take Action here. Shine On!