Announcing YDC’s 2023 Youth Delegation to the High-Level Political Forum
We are pleased to announce that Young Diplomats of Canada is sending a delegation to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) for a third consecutive year.
The HLPF is the main United Nations platform on sustainable development and plays a central role in the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the global level. The HLPF fosters discussion and facilitates collaboration between states, civil society, and other stakeholders, providing them with a unique opportunity to examine and share their progress in implementing the SDGs and address challenges in a multilateral setting.
The 2023 HLPF will be held from July 10th - 19th, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council in New York City. This year's theme is “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.”
In 2023, the HLPF will review in-depth the following SDGs, each of which holds particular relevance for Canada:
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation - Canada is known for its extensive freshwater resources, and our commitment to this goal helps ensure their protection and sustainable use.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy - As a country with diverse energy sources, Canada's progress in this area directly contributes to global efforts to transition to clean and sustainable energy.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - Canada's commitment to sustainable industrialization, technological innovation and resilient infrastructure is a key aspect of our economic growth and sustainability strategy.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - With our rapidly growing urban areas, Canada's focus on creating inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities is of utmost importance.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals - Canada's longstanding tradition of international cooperation aligns with this goal to establish effective partnerships for sustainable development.
As Canadians, our participation in the HLPF represents our commitment to global cooperation and sustainable development. We look forward to sharing updates from our delegates at the HLPF 2023 and continuing to work towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Meet the 2023 HLPF delegates:
Kimberly Watada, Head Delegate
Kimberly Watada, recently graduated from the University of Toronto’s chemical engineering program, focuses on the intersection of sustainable finance and clean technology. She is recognized for her work in sustainability and student empowerment, having co-developed an extraction method for rare earth metals, achieved recognition for her cleantech entrepreneurship projects, and held leadership roles in multiple student organizations. With past experience working at CPP Investments, she is now preparing for her full-time role with the Boston Consulting Group. She looks forward to representing Canadian youth at the 2023 HLPF.
Joe Noss, Communications Coordinator
Joe Noss works as a consultant for Deloitte’s Public Sector Transformation practice, focusing on Human Services and Digital ID technology. With a background in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), and a Master's degree in Analytics from the Ivey Business School, Joe engages with complex transformations of Canadian government systems. A former Model United Nations delegate, he's deeply committed to the United Nations SDGs and is particularly interested in Canada's role in creating sustainable energy systems. In addition, Joe collaborates with the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, developing tools to support youth transitioning from care into adulthood.
Topaza Yu, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator
Topaza Yu (she/her/hers/elle), originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Treaty 6 territory and Métis homeland), is a first-year doctoral student in counseling psychology. She's dedicated to anti-racism and anti-oppression (ARAO), mental health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). A trusted consultant and advocate, Topaza serves on Action Canada's Sexual Health and Rights Board of Directors. She aims to promote SRHR accessibility for youth and plans to further these efforts through her future work in counseling psychology, advocacy, and entrepreneurship.
Nico Han, Engagement Coordinator
Nico is a research analyst at a DC-based think-tank. An aspiring policy maker and a scholar, Nico is passionate about the role of the global south in international affairs from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Nico has interned with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Wilson Center for International Scholars, the U.S.-Asia Institute as well as the U.S. House of Representatives. Nico holds a Masters of Philosophy in International Relations from the University of Oxford, where she was also President of her MCR (Middle Common Room) and a co-founder of the Oxford Diplomatic Society. Nico is an incoming Yenching Fellow at Peking University in China.