BLIA Attends UN HLPF Forum, Advocating Partnerships to Implement the Sustainable Development Goals

The 2026 United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) held a thematic session titled “Strengthening alliances for SDG implementation: stakeholder engagement for the 2030 Agenda” on July 10 at United Nations Headquarters. The session brought together senior United Nations officials, government representatives, and global civil society organizations to explore how partnerships and public participation can accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Venerable You Lin, BLIA World Headquarters UN NGO Office Director, and Bihchun Tsay, BLIA New York Chapter director, attended as representatives of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA). They exchanged views with non-governmental organizations, religious groups, and youth representatives from around the world, jointly focusing on important issues such as global sustainable development, human rights protection, and multilateral cooperation.

The forum noted that the world is facing multiple challenges, including climate change, armed conflicts, widening wealth gaps, shrinking space for civil society participation, and rapid technological development. The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals have now entered the critical final four years.

Panelists pointed out that civil society is an important force in advancing human rights, democratic governance, and sustainable development. They called on governments, civil society organizations, religious groups, and young people to build closer partnerships and promote a “whole-of-society approach,” enabling more communities and grassroots members of the public to participate in public decision-making. They also encouraged greater engagement in education, poverty alleviation, environmental protection, and sustainable community development, so as to jointly put into practice the principle of “leaving no one behind” and work together to promote peace and sustainable development.

Venerable You Lin stated that sustainable development depends not only on policy and institutional reform, but also on the purification of people’s minds. Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founding master of Fo Guang Shan, advocated Humanistic Buddhism, benefiting society through education, culture, charity, and cultivation. He also promoted the concepts of “Environmental and Spiritual Preservation,” emphasizing that environmental preservation should begin with spiritual preservation. Only by respecting life and cherishing nature can humanity and the environment achieve harmonious coexistence.

Bihchun Tsay said that BLIA will continue to participate in international dialogue through the United Nations platform, deepen exchanges and cooperation with civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations, and actively respond to global sustainable development issues. Through concrete actions, BLIA supports the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, leveraging the power of religious organizations in promoting cooperation and unity for good.