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SDGs CONFERENCE 2025

SDGs ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION 2025

JWF High-Level Reception 2025

Manhattan Cruise Tour 2025

PIONEERS IN SDGs AWARDS

SDGs ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION 2024

SDGs HIGH-LEVEL RECEPTION 2024

MANHATTAN CRUISE TOUR 2024

SDGs CONFERENCE 2025:

IN THE MARGINGS OF THE UNGA80th SESSION

24 September 2025 | Wednesday | New York | HYBRID

>> SDGs CONFERENCE 2025: On 24 September 2025, in the margins of the 80^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), the Journalists and Writers Foundation, in collaboration with 56 civil society organizations from 30 countries, will host the JWF`s annual flagship event SDGs Conference 2025 in New York.

2025 will mark 80^th foundation anniversary of the United Nations and 10^th year of the SDGs Conference. Journalists and Writers Foundation and its Global Partners are proud to achieve this milestone bringing together over 200 High-Level UN diplomats, Heads of State, civil society leaders, human rights advocates, journalists and youth leaders from around the globe. This signature event continues to generate action-oriented and inclusive policy projections for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Pact for the Future while mitigating pressing issues of international peace and security.

PANEL SESSIONS:

At its 10^th year, the SDGs Conference will address the following themes:

Panel 1: Digitalization of Sustainable Development and Human Rights Advocacy

Panel 2: Women and Youth as Leaders for Civic Engagement and Social Change

Panel 3: Cross-cutting Threats to the Principles of Democracy

3-DAYS OF ACTIONS & PIONEERS IN SDGs AWARDS:

>> SDGs CONFERENCE 2024: This multi-stakeholder platform generated an opportunity to offer inclusive policy suggestions to address setbacks of the stagnating implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The 9th annual SDGs Conference also unfolded the 5 main themes of Pact for the Future that was recently adopted at the Summit of the Future, offering a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revive multilateralism with the mission of reflecting the realities of our day and address future challenges and opportunities.

PANEL SESSIONS:

The Summit of the Future: Revitalizing the Pact for the Future
Information Integrity on Digital Platforms and Mainstream Media
Transforming Inclusive Global Governance

19 SPEAKERS from 15 COUNTRIES

The SDGs Conference convened 19 speakers from 15 countries, including UN Ambassadors, journalists, academics and human rights defenders, and prominent civil society leaders across the globe.

>>> SDGs ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: SDGs Roundtable Discussion discussed critical issues to promote and protect sustainable peace and development globally. This side-event aimed to create a platform for the international delegations of interfaith leaders, civil society members, academics, and experts to share their expert opinions, exchange ideas on various development challenges and offer inclusive solutions to the contemporary challenges on social, economic, and environmental issues. Speakers explored the pivotal role of interfaith dialogue in achieving the SDGs while sharing civil society best practices and initiatives for the SDGs.

ROUNDTABLE THEMES:

Interfaith Contributions to SDGs Achievements
Civil Society Best Practices and Initiatives for the SDGs

12 SPEAKERS from 9 COUNTRIES

SDGs Roundtable Discussions hosted 12 speakers from 9 countries, including prominent interfaith leaders, civil society pioneers, peacemakers, and academics

>>> HIGH-LEVEL RECEPTION 2024: On the opening day of the UNGA79 High-Level Week, this networking event gathered the JWF`s 56 Global Partners from 30 countries to engage with UN Ambassadors, diplomats, journalists, academics, and human rights defenders. As advocates of sustainable peace and development, participants introduced their transformative actions towards a more prosperous world while establishing new networks to generate future multistakeholder collaborations.

JWF HIGH-LEVEL RECEPTION 2024 HOSTED

OVER 150 DELEGATES AND GLOBAL PARTNERS FROM 21 COUNTRIES

Ministers, UN diplomats, civil society members, journalists, academics, youth advocates

>>> YOUTH ENGAGEMENT: Throughout the Action Days of the UN Summit of the Future and all the JWF UNGA79 side events, 23 youth advocates have volunteered from different states of the USA, Bosnia and Netherlands. Young professionals and university students raised their priorities during these pivotal times of generational change and had an opportunity to engage in human rights advocacy and diplomatic networking.

>>> PIONEERS IN SDGs AWARDS 2024: In its 6^th year, Pioneers in SDGs Awards continued to acknowledge outstanding organizations and individuals who steadfastly advance sustainable peace, development, and the preservation of a culture rooted in peace, human rights, and sustainable development.

INTERNATIONAL JURY FROM

Evaluated 80 Civil Society Projects from 43 Countries

PEOPLE`s CHOICE AWARD received over 12,000 public votes

SDGs CONFERENCE SINCE 2014

10

56

30 200+

Years

Global Partners

Countries

High-Level Speakers

PAST DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS

Hon. Helen Clark

Former Prime Minister of New Zealand

Hon. Sofia Voultepsi

Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum in Charge of Integration, Member of the Greek Parliament, New Democracy

H.E. Charlotta Schlyter

Ambassador, Head of Section for Sustainable Development, Permanent Mission of Sweden to the UN

H.E. Saša Jurečko

Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the UN

H.E. Sophia T. Yohannes

Ambassador, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Eritrea to the UN

Dr. Brian Kerr

Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Mark Dalton

Senior Director, Digital Program Management Office, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

The Hon. Verity Firth

Executive Director Social Justice at University of Technology Sydney New South Wales, Australia

Célia Parnes

Head of the Secretary of Social Development of the State of São Paulo Brazil

H.E. Ms. Markova Concepción

Ambassador Permanent Representative of Panama to the UN Panama

Panel 2 - 1 - Keynote - Bob Carr - Picture

Hon. Prof. Bob Carr

Former Foreign Minister of Australia Industry Professor of Business and Climate Change at the University of Technology Sydney

Houry Geudelekian

Chair of the NGO CSW

Dr. Wayne Henry, JP

Chairman and Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica

Adama Dieng

Former UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide

Donna Orender

Founder and CEO of Orender Unlimited and Generation W, Former President of The Women’s National Basketball Association

Tushar A. Gandhi

President Mahatma Gandhi Foundation,

Craig Foster

Former Athlete, Human Rights Activist

Seda Pumpyanskaya

Director for Strategic Communications Division UN Department of Global Communications

Michelle Breslauer

Senior Manager, Peace and Humanitarian Affairs, UN Global Compact

Robert Mahoney

Deputy Executive Director, Committee to Protect Journalists

WHY join the SDGs Conference?

Keynote Speakers

Get inspired by high-level
Speakers and Influencers

Thematic Debates

Participate in interactive discussion and panels

UNGA Debates

Join High-Level Events during the UN General Assembly Debate in NY

Global Partnership

Meet 52 Global Partners
from 27 countries

Capacity Building

Learn new skills and knowledge through intensive workshops

Networking

Meet global leaders and changemakers for partnerships

Pioneers in SDGs Awards

Submit your projects as exemplary model for recognition

JWF High-Level Reception

Connect with high-level delegates from around the world

Tours and Visits

Make your visit more productive and enjoyable

3 DAYS OF ACTION

DAY 1: JWF High-Level Reception

On the opening day of the High-Level Week, this networking event gathers global partners from various countries to engage with UN Ambassadors, diplomats, journalists, academics, and human rights defenders. As advocates of sustainable peace and development, participants introduce their transformative actions towards a more prosperous world while establishing new networks to generate future multistakeholder collaborations.

The High-Level Reception hosts

Over 150 delegates and global partners from multiple countries
Ministers, UN diplomats, civil society members, journalists, academics, youth advocates

DAY 2: SDGs Roundtable Discussions

SDGs Roundtable Discussion discussed critical issues to promote and protect sustainable peace and development globally. This side-event aimed to create a platform for the international delegations of interfaith leaders, civil society members, academics, and experts to share their expert opinions, exchange ideas on various development challenges and offer inclusive solutions to the contemporary challenges on social, economic, and environmental issues. Speakers explored the pivotal role of interfaith dialogue in achieving the SDGs while sharing civil society best practices and initiatives for the SDGs.

SDGs Roundtable Discussions host

Multiple speakers from multiple countries, including prominent interfaith leaders, civil society pioneers, peacemakers, and academics.

DAY 3: SDGs Conference

This multi-stakeholder platform generated an opportunity to offer inclusive policy suggestions to address setbacks of the stagnating implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs Conference also unfolded key thematic discussions aligned with broader global development frameworks, offering a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revive multilateralism with the mission of reflecting the realities of our day and address future challenges and opportunities.

SDGs Conference hosts

The SDGs Conference convened multiple speakers from various countries, including UN Ambassadors, journalists, academics and human rights defenders, and prominent civil society leaders across the globe.

PIONEERS IN SDGs AWARDS 2025

The Pioneers in SDGs Awards recognize exceptional organizations and individuals who promote sustainable peace and development, and help preserve a culture grounded in peace, human rights, and sustainability. Our international jury reviews projects submitted by civil society organizations from around the world.