30 January 2026 - “Delivering better means moving from commitment to results. It means ensuring that our partnerships are not statements of intent, but living commitments that empower those furthest behind,” said H.E. Mr. Lok Bahadur Thapa, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), as he opened the 2026 ECOSOC Partnership Forum on 27 January 2026 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Convened as the first major ECOSOC meeting of the year, the Forum brought together Member States, United Nations entities, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders to exchange priorities and practical experiences on advancing accountable, results-oriented partnerships for sustainable development in a rapidly changing global context.
Held under the theme “Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” the Forum focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under review at the 2026 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF): SDGs 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17.
The Forum featured four SDG Action Segments, each dedicated to one of the Goals under review at the 2026 HLPF (SDG Action Segments on 6,7,9 and 11), highlighting innovative and transformative partnership models driving the implementation of the SDGs across the sectors and regions through coordinated and scalable action.A multi-stakeholder Panel on SDG 17 showcased three stories of partnership experiences – spanning diaspora finance, water-scarce agriculture and micro-, small and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) capacity-building – sharing insights from demand-driven partnerships that advance SDG 17 built on shared ownership.
The plenary session provided space for Member States, UN entities and stakeholders to share priorities, policy insights and forward-looking actions for the ECOSOC cycle and the HLPF, while reflecting on how to strengthen ECOSOC’s role in advancing meaningful partnerships.
In parallel, side events enabled focused exchange on practical experiences and scalable solutions across a wide range of thematic areas.
Across sessions, participants emphasized that partnerships are most effective when they are aligned with national priorities and grounded in trust, and that moving beyond fragmented initiatives toward durable partnerships at scale is essential for sustained impact.UN DESA, as the secretariat of the Forum, led inclusive and participatory preparatory processes in support of establishment and engagement of the ECOSOC President’s Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group; a Global Online Stakeholder Consultation to gather stakeholder inputs; co-creation of the programme through the SDG Action Segments; and an open call for side events, among others – ensuring that diverse perspectives and expertise informed both the programme and its outcomes. UN DESA also prepared a Partnership Snapshot, offering a concise and informative overview of various partnerships, with the aim of inspiring governments and stakeholders to actively engage in collaborations that advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
The key messages of the 2026 ECOSOC Partnership Forum will inform the 2026 ECOSOC Coordination Segment (28–29 January 2026) and contribute to the July 2026 HLPF, as well as other intergovernmental processes throughout the year, including preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.
For more information: 2026 ECOSOC Partnership Forum
Access the full programme: Full programme
Watch the Forum: UN WebTV