We are a group of 23 non-governmental organizations that are accredited to collectively represent over 200 congregations of Roman Catholic women and men Religious at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York. For centuries, congregations of Religious have served those who have been rendered poor, vulnerable, oppressed, and marginalized by existing global systems. Through our membership in JCoR, we have united with our sister and brother organizations to enhance collaboration among our members–at UN Headquarters and around the world–in our common mission: to improve quality of life for people living in poverty and to enhance our stewardship of the natural environment.
We work toward this goal by coordinating national, regional, and global efforts of Religious to call on local and national leaders for a just, equitable, and rights-based implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN’s Agenda for 2015-2030.The primary aim of our collaboration is to strengthen the capacity of our members to address the root causes of unsustainable development.
Guide to the 2026 HLPF
JCoR created a guide to the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). It provides background information on the HLPF as well as vital details for participation. The guide is available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish and can be found on our conference engagement guides webpage. We encourage you to explore this resource and share it with your networks.
Upcoming and Recent Events
Visit our events page for a complete list of our upcoming activities, where you can also access resources and recordings of past events. Check out our Google calendar to view forthcoming regional events and Global Community Hours.
JCoR SDG Lab at the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development
The annual High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) will take place from 7-15 July this year. It functions as the central United Nations platform for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each year, the forum focuses on a select few SDGs, and government leaders voluntarily report on their national progress toward achievement of these SDGs. The SDGs of focus this year are 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17. In addition to reports from governments, the HLPF also includes events sponsored by civil society groups, to highlight their perspectives on implementation and progress toward the SDGs in their respective countries. JCoR will join the conversation by offering a series of virtual discussion, which we are calling the “JCoR SDG Lab.” This series will showcase Catholic Religious and their partners’ perspectives on progress and good practices towards sustainable development. It will be held from 27-31 July from 10:00am-12:00pm (New York time) and include sessions dedicated to each of the aforementioned SDGs of focus for the 2026 HLPF. Interpretation will be provided in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. Dates & Registration Links: 27 July 2026: SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation Register: Click here to register via Zoom Click here to check your local time 28 July 2026: SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy Register: Click here to register via Zoom Click here to check your local time 29 July 2026: SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure Register: Click here to register via Zoom Click here to check your local time 30 July 2026: SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities Register: Click here to register via Zoom Click here to check your local time 31 July 2026: SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals Register: Click here to register via Zoom Click here to check your local time
July Global Community Hour: Trafficking in Persons
We are pleased to invite you to JCoR’s Global Community Hour on Friday, 10 July 2026, from 7:00-8:00am (Guatemala City, Mexico City) / 8:00-9:00am (Bogotá, Havana, Lima) / 9:00-10:00am (New York) /10:00-11:00am (Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires) / 3:00-4:00pm (Central Africa time) / 6:30-7:30pm (India Standard time). Check your local time here. This meeting is part of a series of monthly online gatherings for Religious from around the globe to come together in prayer for our world and to shine a light on the most pressing justice issues emerging in your respective nations and regions. In recognition of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (30 July), the theme for this month is trafficking in persons. Therefore, we are especially inviting individuals to share their experience in ministry relating to trafficking in persons. As usual, all voices and justice concerns are welcome in this communal space. Sisters, Brothers, priests, lay associates, and partners in mission are all welcome! English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish interpretation will be available. Click here to register. Please contact communications@jcor2030.org with any questions. We will convene in this manner on the second Friday of each month. We hope you and your members will join us on Friday, 10 July and for future “Global Community Hour” gatherings! Click on the following links to view the Global Community Hour flyer in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Education Session: UN Treaty Bodies
In this training for UN representatives of religious congregations who are based at UN Headquarters (New York, USA), Br. Tino D’Abreu, CFC, will illuminate one of the key mechanisms through which civil society representatives can promote justice and peace at the UN Office in Geneva: UN Treaty Bodies. More specifically, Br. Tino will address the following questions: – What are the UN Treaty bodies/ what is their purpose? – What are the pathways/procedures for us to engage with Treaty Bodies as representatives of civil society organizations with UN accreditation? – Why is it important for us, as Religious congregations, to have a presence at the UN Office in Geneva? Date: 8 July 2026 Time: 10:00am – 1:30pm (US Eastern Time) Format: Hybrid with a strong emphasis on in-person participation Please note: Registration is by invitation only.
Welcome Gathering for Delegates of Religious NGOs to the 2026 HLPF
JCoR is offering an in-person welcome gathering for the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. This event will be held for delegates of Religious NGOs who intend to participate in some part of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), and it will take place on 7 July 2026 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Salvation Army (221 E. 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022). The gathering will serve as an opportunity to meet other delegates, to pray and reflect on hopes and intentions for engagement with the HLPF process, and to ask questions about how to participate. Additional HLPF 2026 Resources: – JCoR’s guide to HLPF 2026 – Curated list of HLPF events recommended by the JCoR and our community at the United Nations in New York
