Global Conference on Sustainable Development 2023 Inspires Action and Collaboration for a Sustainable Future
On October 4–5, 2023, the SDSN Hong Kong held its first “Global Conference on Sustainable Development” (GCSD 2023) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). GCSD brought together over 1,900 participants virtually and in-person to address pressing environmental and social challenges and forge meaningful collaborations in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also served as a platform for global leaders, visionaries, and experts to convene and explore innovative solutions.
The conference featured an impressive array of speakers, including Mr. Ban Ki-moon, former United Nations Secretary-General and Co-Chair of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens; Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, President of SDSN; and Professor Thomas Schneider, Chief Executive of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities.
In Professor Sachs‘ captivating keynote speech, he advocated for the establishment of a “global parliament of people” to ensure greater collaboration across all levels. He also emphasized the importance of promoting inclusive and sustainable solutions while fostering a sense of global citizenship. Mr. Ban Ki-moon echoed this sentiment, stressing that achieving the SDGs is not just a goal, but a moral obligation and a shared responsibility. He urged open dialogue and partnership between academia, philanthropic organizations, civil society, the private sector, and government to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
The conference also featured a myriad of plenary and breakout sessions to provide ample opportunities for participants to engage with each other and exchange ideas. These sessions covered diverse topics, including sustainable development governance, building age-friendly cities, sustainable tourism, carbon neutrality, biodiversity, and education for sustainable development.
During the conference, CUHK, launched the University Sustainability Index (USI), a pioneering initiative that benchmarks sustainability performance among universities. This initiative reinforced CUHK’s commitment as a socially-responsible university and to inspire others to embrace sustainability.
At the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda, the world was falling short of the progress needed to meet the 17 SDGs. Through the participation of global experts, this conference served not just as a knowledge-exchange platform, but also as a catalyst for fostering innovative ideas, sharing best practices, and strengthening global collaborations.
The event recording can be viewed here.
