SDGs CONFERENCE 2025

In the Margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), the Journalists and Writers Foundation will host the 10th Annual SDGs Conference 2025 in collaboration with 56 civil society organizations from 30 countries on Wednesday, 24 September 2025 in New York. 

The year 2025 will also mark the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations and the 10th year of the SDGs Conference. Journalists and Writers Foundation and its Global Partners are proud to celebrate this milestone by 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, along with the JWF High-Level Reception, the SDGs Roundtable Discussions, and the Pioneers in SDGs Awards Ceremony, continues to generate action-oriented and inclusive policy proposals for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Pact for the Future—while addressing complex issues and rising threats to international peace and security.

PANEL 1: Digitalization of Sustainable Development and Human Rights Advocacy                               

The integration of digital technologies into human rights monitoring has transformed the way organizations and activists monitor, report, and respond to violations worldwide. Advanced digital tools have increased transparency and accountability, allowing for more accurate and immediate responses to abuses. These innovations have also empowered grassroots communities to participate actively, enabling marginalized groups to document their experiences and draw international attention to issues that may have previously gone unnoticed. As technology continues to evolve, its role in safeguarding human rights becomes ever more vital, opening new avenues for advocacy and oversight in complex geopolitical environments.

However, recent advancements also pose significant challenges. Undemocratic regimes often utilize emerging technologies to restrict journalists’ space, criminalize human rights work, and suppress freedom of expression and assembly. Such developments highlight the urgent need for multi-stakeholder efforts to develop effective regulatory frameworks, promote digital literacy, and implement safeguards that protect human rights while harnessing the positive potential of digital innovation.

The Pact for the Future strongly advocates for civic technologies to advance the revitalization of the SDGs by promoting citizen engagement, improving access to information, and supporting transparent governance. Platforms enabling participatory decision-making and data sharing foster inclusive development, ensuring marginalized voices are heard and policies are responsive to community needs. Nonetheless, the rise of digital tools also introduces challenges such as misinformation and disinformation, which can hinder progress and deepen societal divisions. Addressing these issues requires strategic collaborations with social media platforms and technology leaders to combat false narratives and promote accurate, reliable information. Such partnerships are essential for creating an environment where digital tools serve as catalysts for positive social change and robust human rights advocacy.

In the light of these trends, Panel Session 1 will explore: 

• The Use of Digital Technologies in Human Rights Monitoring 
• Civic Technologies to Foster Revitalization of Sustainable Development Goals 
• The Growing Threat of Technology-Facilitated Gender Based Violence 
• Misinformation-Disinformation as a Tool of Warfare in Divided Societies 
• Collaborations with Social Media Platforms and Tech-Leaders for Global Human Rights Advocacy

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

The selection of the next UN Secretary-General in 2026 presents a pivotal opportunity to advance gender equality and amplify women’s leadership in global governance. Despite some progress, women remain significantly underrepresented in high-level decision-making positions. Promoting inclusive leadership selection processes is essential to overcoming barriers to women’s empowerment in political spheres. Highlighting women’s leadership not only fosters equitable representation but also introduces diverse perspectives that can inspire innovative solutions to worldwide challenges. Facilitating a dialogue on this topic encourages stakeholders to prioritize gender parity as a fundamental criterion, thereby enhancing the legitimacy and effectiveness of the UN’s leadership and its capacity to address global crises.

Simultaneously, setbacks in women’s rights across many regions threaten to reverse years of progress toward achieving the SDGs. Backlash against gender equality initiatives, restrictive policies, and societal resistance undermine efforts to empower women and girls—affecting their access to quality healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. This resurgence of opposition risks undoing decades of advancements, underscoring the importance of strategic resilience and persistent advocacy. Additionally, ongoing conflicts and social upheavals increase vulnerabilities, especially among youth, highlighting the urgent need to address intergenerational trauma and mental health issues. 

Building trust among young professionals through inclusive governance and multilateral cooperation is crucial for fostering resilience, promoting meaningful participation in conflict resolution, and securing a sustainable, equitable future amid global uncertainties.

To address these contemporary themes, Panel Session 2 will unfold: 

• Selecting the Next UN Secretary-General: A Dialogue on Women’s Leadership
• Implications of Women’s Rights Backlash on the Progress of the Global Goals
• Mitigating Intergenerational Trauma and Ensuring Mental Health of Youth in the Era of Conflicts
• Rebuilding Youth Trust in Inclusive Governance and Multilateralism

PANEL 3: Cross-Cutting Threats to the Principles of Democracy

According to Freedom House and the V-Dem Institute, in 2024, for the first time in two decades, autocratic regimes outnumber democracies where the rule of law is upheld and public institutions safeguard fundamental human rights for all citizens, regardless of their political, cultural, religious, or gender identities. The rise of these authoritarian governments has posed significant challenges to the stability and efficacy of multilateral efforts aimed at promoting democracy and human rights worldwide. Autocratic leaders often undermine international norms by consolidating power, suppressing dissent, and manipulating legal frameworks to entrench their authority. This dynamic hamper the ability of global institutions and alliances to enforce collective actions, as authoritarian states exploit diplomatic gaps and geopolitical rivalries to resist accountability. Addressing these challenges requires renewed, adaptable multilateral strategies capable of countering the evolving tactics of authoritarian regimes.

In this world of digitalized media ecosystem, a pilar of democratic governance, social media and technological advancements have become powerful tools for amplifying human rights advocacy and active citizen participation. Human rights defenders utilize digital platforms to mobilize support, expose abuses, and foster greater awareness of social justice issues. However, these same tools are increasingly exploited by authoritarian actors to spread disinformation, manipulate public opinion, and undermine trust in traditional media outlets. This erosion of trust in mainstream sources exacerbates social divisions, weakening social cohesion and peace. Furthermore, the digital landscape is intertwined with geopolitical tensions, as states and non-state actors leverage technology to influence public discourse, complicating efforts to maintain global stability and uphold the rule of law.

Civil society organizations face mounting pressures amid these alarming developments, as governments impose legal restrictions, launch defamation campaigns, and enact laws aimed at limiting their activities. Such attacks on civil society threaten to silence dissent, curtail civic space, and diminish the capacity of grassroots movements to advocate for democratic reforms and human rights. These restrictions often serve to consolidate autocratic power further, destabilizing democratic institutions and fostering environments of fear and repression. As a result, the overall fabric of civil society becomes frayed, undermining efforts to build resilient, inclusive societies capable of resisting authoritarian tendencies and promoting peaceful development.

To mitigate these imminent threats to global governance, Panel 3 will emphasize on: 

• Multilateral Responses to the Rise of Autocratic Regimes and Practices 
• The Power of Social Media and Technology for Human Rights and Democracy 
• Undermining Trust in Mainstream Media eroding Social Cohesion and Peacefulness 
• Global Stability at Risk: Geopolitical Tensions and Weakening Rule of Law
• Civil Society in Turbulence: Legal Attacks, Defamations, and Restrictions

3 DAYS OF ACTION