The SDSN at ONE IMPACT WEEK 2026 in Singapore
From September 8-12, 2026, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) joined the second edition of AT ONE IMPACT WEEK in Singapore, organized by TPC (Tsao Pao Chee) and NO.17 Foundation. Centered on the question, “What if Love Became Infrastructure?”, the five-day gathering brought together leaders from business, philanthropy, finance, academia, and civil society to explore new approaches to sustainable development and a more inclusive well-being economy.
The week began with an Opening Ceremony featuring Grace Fu Hai Yien, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment of Singapore, and Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States and Chairman of The Climate Reality Project. Over the course of the week, the SDSN engaged with partners across the region, while further strengthening the partnership between SDSN, TPC, and NO.17 Foundation to advance sustainable development across Asia.
Next Generation of Urban Solutions: Beyond Smart Cities
A highlight of the SDSN’s participation was the September 10 plenary, Next Generation of Urban Solutions: Beyond Smart Cities – Designing Urban Systems for Energy Security and Human Flourishing. Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of the SDSN, opened the session with remarks on sustainable development and the future of cities.
Selen İnal, Founder of EcoMuse and a member of the Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET), moderated the discussion. Panelists included Guillaume Lafortune, Vice President and Head of the Asia Office at SDSN; Uday Khemka, Vice Chairman of Sun Group; Spencer Low, Head of Regional Sustainability, APAC at Google; Ed Peng, Chairman of Canopy Generations Fund and Co-Founder and Partner at TPC Energy Transition; Patricia Zurita, Executive Director and Chief External Affairs Officer at Conservation International; and Stewart Maginnis, Deputy Director General (Programme) at IUCN.
According to the 2026 Sustainable Development Report, published by the SDSN’s SDG Transformation Center, only 16% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets are on track to be achieved, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) is particularly off track. The panel explored how cities can meet growing demands for energy, housing, mobility, and infrastructure while becoming more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. In addition to progress toward SDG 11, this discussion addressed the roles of technology and AI, finance, energy systems, and nature in shaping the next generation of urban development, and highlighted the new partnership between the SDSN and UN-Habitat on the Future of Cities.
The Inner Architecture of a Leader in a Well-being Economy
Building a well-being economy is a design problem, solved by people. Karen Chand, Managing Director of the SDSN’s SDG Academy, joined the Columbia University Center on Sustainable Investment for a session exploring how we can intentionally support the development of leaders in the well-being economy who understand complex systems, incorporate equity and public goods, and ask the right questions that turn answers into action.
Strengthening Collaboration Across Asia
The SDSN’s participation in AT ONE IMPACT WEEK comes amid an expanding partnership with TPC and NO.17 Foundation to advance sustainable development across Asia.
The week offered an opportunity to connect with partners from across the region and build on this important collaboration. The SDSN looks forward to carrying this momentum forward through its work in Asia and across its global network.
The SDSN’s delegation at AT ONE IMPACT WEEK also included members of the Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET), Selen İnal and Emi Gui, alongside SDSN Program Managers Wallis Cronin and Liz Nelson.
