American Library Association Delegation to Participate in United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

ALA delegation and public program will highlight the role of libraries in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) will send a delegation to the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) from July 13–15, 2026, to advocate for libraries as essential partners in advancing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The delegation’s participation will culminate in the public program “Libraries as Catalysts: Driving Equitable and Innovative Action for the SDGs,” presented on July 15, 2026, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. EDT at the New York Public Library Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL). The event is organized by the ALA International Relations Committee United Nations SDGs Subcommittee in partnership with SNFL.

The 2026 HLPF, convened under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), will focus on the theme: “Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for a sustainable future for all.”

The ALA delegation includes:

• Dr. Maria McCauley, president of the American Library Association, 2026–2027, and director of the Cambridge Public Library, Massachusetts
• Loida Garcia-Febo, ALA past president and chair of the ALA International Relations Committee United Nations SDGs Subcommittee
• Dr. Anthony Chow, director of the San José State University iSchool and past president of the California Library Association and the Chinese American Librarians Association
• Robin Kear, past president of the Faculty Senate at the University of Pittsburgh
• Dr. Corinthia Price, member of the ALA Executive Board and president of the International Association of School Librarianship
• Zena George, Assistant Director NYPL/ Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library

During the forum, delegates will engage with United Nations stakeholders, civil society organizations, international leaders, and partner institutions to promote the role of libraries in supporting equitable access to information, digital inclusion, education, innovation, and sustainable development worldwide.

“Libraries are trusted community institutions that help advance equity, access to information, lifelong learning, and civic participation,” said Dr. Maria McCauley, ALA president. “ALA’s participation in the High-level Political Forum demonstrates the important role libraries play in building sustainable and resilient communities around the world.”

The July 15 program will bring together library leaders, educators, policymakers, and United Nations stakeholders to explore how libraries contribute to resilient communities, informed decision-making, sustainability, innovation, and global collaboration.

Featured speakers include:

• Dr. Maria McCauley, ALA President; Director of Cambridge Public Library
• Leslie Weir, president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and Librarian and Archivist of Canada
• Loida Garcia-Febo, moderator and ALA Past President and Chair of ALA International Relations Committee; consultant & professor 
• Dr. Corinthia Price, ALA Executive Board Member; school librarian 
• Dr. Anthony Chow, President California Library Association; professor
• Dr.  Heba Mohamed Ismail, Libraries Technical Manager, Egypt's Society for Culture and Development; Past President & Current Chair of Training and Education Committee at Arab Federation for Libraries and Information (AFLI)

The event is open to librarians, educators, students, civil society organizations, policymakers, and members of the public interested in the role of libraries in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

ALA’s participation in the High-level Political Forum is made possible through the collaboration of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), whose longstanding advocacy at the United Nations has helped advance the global role of libraries in sustainable development.

More information about the 2026 United Nations High-level Political Forum is available at https://hlpf.un.org/2026.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.