With the importance of sustainability, inclusiveness and the importance of science and evidence at the heart of the theme for this year’s UN High-Level Political Forum, there is close alignment with the values and priorities of libraries.

Libraries have developed a strong track record of engagement with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), not just in the ten years since they were agreed, but also beforehand.

The SDGs’ recognition of the importance of access to information (highlighted in Goal 16 – peace, justice and strong institutions), as well as their broader focus on integrated, rights-based and people-centred policies already fits well with how libraries work.

The Goals are under attack of course, with some governments even questioning the notion of ‘sustainable’ development, and indeed the merits of working internationally. Nevertheless, for libraries the 2030 Agenda continues to offer a relevant and helpful framework as well as a source of inspiration.

A theme that highlights library priorities

This year’s UN High-Level Political Forum – the main annual event for taking stock and looking ahead on the Goals – will not only echo key themes around sustainability and inclusion, but also emphasise the need for science- and evidence-based solutions.

The theme is:  “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind”.

This reflects the priority given to science and innovation in the Pact for the Future agreed last year. IFLA has strongly supported this as a sign of a growing readiness to recognise the importance of information and informed societies.

We also see a strong link with the Global Principles on Information Integrity – also released in the context of the Pact for the Future – which open the door to more focus on ensuring a strong support of quality scientific and other information.

Libraries are of course central to science and information infrastructures globally, from enabling research to take place to providing a channel for the results to find their way into policy-making, in governments or in parliaments.

Crucially, we help make these infrastructures work for everyone, ensuring that it is not only the rich or those attached to specific institutions who are able to benefit. Moreover, with an in-built focus on the long-term – through their preservation and wider planning – sustainability is also central to our work.

In focus, on topic

As in previous years, there are also a selection of focused SDGs for 2025, all of which cover areas where libraries are making contributions.

SDG 3 (Health and Wellbeing for All) is a great example of how library fields as a whole contribute to policy success. This runs from the work that public and school libraries do to promote healthy living and wellbeing, through the work of academic and research libraries in supporting scientific progress, to the knowledge management and policy support role of government and special libraries.

SDG 5 (Gender equality) allows reflection on the particular nature of libraries which, in many cultures, are far more welcoming and comfortable for women and girls than other public spaces. Our institutions have built on this fact to offer vital services and support that might not otherwise be available.

SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth) stresses the importance of skills and lifelong learning for both individual and collective growth. With library systems specifically set up in some countries to support adult learning, there is little argument about our field’s role in allowing people to upskill, and to contribute to wider economic growth (also through support to small businesses and entrepreneurship).

SDG 14 (Life below water) is particularly relevant at the moment in the light of the UN Oceans conference. This is another area where the role of libraries in supporting research and the management of data and information is essential. In particular, the record of our field in building collaborations between institutions and across borders provides a powerful response to challenges that are by their nature global.

SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) is a standing item on the agenda of the HLPF, in recognition of the SDGs’ call on all actors to mobilise – together – to take action towards the goals. Libraries have of course been ready to fulfil their responsibilities to contribute to the goals, and to combine their strengths with those of others to increase reach and impact.

Getting involved

IFLA’s representation at the HLPF this year will come from an enthusiastic local team (coordinated by IFLA Governing Board member Loida Garcia Febo), who will ensure that the role of libraries is understood – especially in the light of the theme chosen.

We will also be encouraging our members to reach out to governments and make sure that national representatives are primed and ready to think about how they can better integrate libraries into their sustainable development planning.

If you want to find out more, do join our SDGs mailing list!