James Anderson:
In a powerful intersection of faith and policy, Imam Muhammad Shahidullah, CEO of Save the People USA, joined global leaders at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to participate in the 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). Held from July 14 to July 23, 2025, the forum is the UN’s central platform for reviewing progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Representing his organization on behalf of American civil society, Imam Shahidullah’s presence marked a significant moment for faith-based advocacy at an international level. His participation aligned with the HLPF’s commitment to include diverse voices and sectors in global decision-making processes. The gathering featured a ministerial segment from July 21 to July 23, welcoming senior-level policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from around the world.
The theme of the 2025 forum, “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda…”, emphasized the importance of collaboration and equity in addressing global challenges. This year’s HLPF spotlighted five core SDGs: health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), sustainable economic growth (SDG 8), marine resource conservation (SDG 14), and global partnerships (SDG 17). Through these lenses, participants explored not only policy innovations but also grassroots contributions to sustainability.
Delegates from 37 countries, including Bangladesh, Ghana, India, the Philippines, and Finland, shared their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs)—country-specific progress reports on SDG implementation. Alongside government officials, the forum featured academics, UN agencies, and civil society organizations, with additional programming including side events, VNR Labs, and special exhibitions.
Save the People USA’s engagement underscores the evolving role of faith-based nonprofits in the international development sphere. As a U.S.-based organization with community roots and a growing global footprint, its participation signaled the value of local voices in shaping global frameworks.
For Imam Shahidullah, the invitation to engage at the HLPF reflects a broader commitment to amplifying ethical, people-centered approaches to global development. As climate change, inequality, and displacement continue to pose complex threats, leaders from across disciplines—including religious sectors—are being called to the table to collaborate on holistic solutions.
As the 2025 HLPF concluded, the collective momentum pointed toward deeper integration of community-led action with global strategies. For Save the People USA, the forum offered both a platform and a promise: that even small voices can echo loudly in the chambers of international diplomacy—especially when they speak for justice, dignity, and sustainable futures for all.
For more blogs, visit nyn.press
