Organizers: SDGs Today, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, and the Maldives Bureau of Statistics

The state of sustainable development in today’s world demands quality, accessible, timely, and disaggregated data to train locally applicable AI models, drive policies, and support responses to climate, health, and humanitarian crises. Understanding the critical intersection of research, capacity building, and evidence-based policies is essential to designing development plans and investing in strengthening data ecosystems. Join us for a roundtable discussion on practical geospatial, Earth Observations, and AI solutions, and innovative approaches to tackle these challenges.

Organizers: SDSN, GEIDCO, Permanent Mission of China to the UN, and UNDP

This HLPF side event will highlight the importance of leveraging clean energy as a driver of long-term, inclusive economic growth, full employment, and productive international collaboration. It will showcase successful case studies, policy innovations, and scalable models tailored to the unique contexts of countries in the Global South. A key feature will be the discussion of the report Accelerate the Green and Low-Carbon Development of Energy, Promote the Modernization of the Global South, which draws on China’s practical experience in energy and industrial development. By convening policymakers, technical experts, and development partners, the event aims to present concrete solutions that improve the efficiency of energy transitions, strengthen international cooperation, and accelerate progress toward a greener, more resilient future — supporting the achievement of the SDGs.

Organizers: SDSN, Saudi Green Building Forum (SGBF), & Columbia University’s Center for Sustainable Development

As the world accelerates efforts to localize the SDGs and transition to green economies, this side event will examine how lessons from past transitions — from early industrialization to the digital era — can inform inclusive green job creation today. Drawing inspiration from Ages of Globalization, the discussion will highlight the role of youth-led volunteerism, artificial intelligence (AI), and sufficiency-based practices as practical strategies for advancing SDG targets, particularly in vulnerable communities. The event will also present a pragmatic approach to bridging global ambitions with local realities, showcasing how AI and intergenerational knowledge can help develop future-ready workforces and strengthen community resilience through nature-based and locally grounded solutions.

Organizers: SDSN and GEIDCO

To advance the SDG agenda and comprehensively achieve SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), the global energy transition must be driven by inclusive, equitable, and region-specific strategies that prioritize economic growth, foster collaboration, and enable investment in clean energy infrastructure. This High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) side event will explore the current landscape of clean energy development in the Global South, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities ahead. The event will showcase successful case studies, innovative financing and deployment models, and data-driven solutions that demonstrate practical, scalable pathways toward a sustainable energy future.

Organizers: United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), SDSN, International Science Council, International Association of Universities (IAU), German Center for Research, York University, UNESCO

Alongside the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), this Symposium aims to address the critical role and potential of, as well as trust in, higher education institutions (HEIs). As globally networked actors in advancing livable futures across the globe, HEIs must aim to critically engage with current frameworks, such as the SDGs, as well as a post-2030 development agenda.

Organizers: UCD, IAU, and UNAI Hub SDG8

Join the SDG 8 Initiative for an official High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) side event exploring how academia can support policies and partnerships that promote decent work for all and sustainable economic growth. Reflecting on lessons from the past decade and looking beyond 2030, the discussion will highlight the University of Gothenburg’s recent open-access publication, Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 8: Economic Growth and Decent Work For All, which connects academic research to actionable policy recommendations.

Organizers: Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA), Colombian Permanent Mission to the UN, in partnership with the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility

Alongside the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), this timely panel will feature insights from SPA’s Policy Briefs on health and water, offering science-based, policy-relevant recommendations to address the socio-environmental challenges impacting Amazonian peoples and ecosystems. The event will also include a brief preview of how these themes will be further expanded in the SPA’s second Amazon Assessment Report (AR2025), to be launched at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, later this year.

Organizers: SDSN Germany and Science Platform Sustainability 2030 (wpn2030), in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic

Today’s increasingly complex, interconnected sustainable development challenges require coherent policies that integrate all three dimensions of sustainable development: social, environmental, and economic. Inclusive and collaborative coordination and decision-making processes across ministries, departments and public agencies are therefore crucial. This side event will present and discuss preliminary research results and insights from different country contexts on formats, success factors and challenges for interministerial coordination for sustainable development.

Organizers: SDSN AusNZPac & Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS)

The session will include a discussion of the findings from a recent review by the Monash Sustainable Development Institute on emerging themes and gaps in ESD research in higher education institutions. Participants are invited to propose other questions or issues they would like to raise with the group.

Organizers: SDSN Youth

In celebration of International Youth Day and SDSN Youth's 10th anniversary, this event will highlight the vital role of young people in advancing sustainable development. Over the past decade, SDSN Youth has empowered thousands of young leaders worldwide, training them to build sustainable communities, localize the SDGs, and influence global decision-making. This gathering will bring together past and present members to reflect, share insights, and explore ways to amplify youth voices in sustainability efforts.

Organizers: SDSN, University of Hong Kong, and The Institute for International Affairs, Qianhai

In the rapidly shifting global economic landscape, the dynamic economies of Asia must deepen their regional integration and trade to achieve continued rapid economic growth, technological innovation, and environmental sustainability. China and ASEAN are strong trading partners within the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and strong investment partners in the Belt and Road Initiative. At the conference, the SDSN proposes an action-oriented program to strengthen GBA-ASEAN relations for the mutual benefit of the region.