Fostering Collaboration For Shared Challenges And Sustainable Development

At a pivotal moment for the global economy, the World Economic Forum's Sustainable Development Impact Meetings 2025 brought together more than 1,000 global leaders to advance action on inclusive economic growth, responsible technology, humanitarian crises, and climate change. The leaders include 70 top government officials, 22 heads of international organizations, 500 business executives, and 125 representatives from civil society.

- By EP Desk

Held alongside the United Nations General Assembly and Global Goals Week, the meetings took place amid strained multilateralism, with only 17% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on track for achievement by 2030. Building on the Forum's track record of connecting leaders to catalyze action, it provided a critical platform for collaboration to shape more inclusive and resilient outcomes for people, the planet, and economies.

“We need to develop systems that foster both business and societal well-being, alongside ecological health,” said Andrä Hoffmann, Vice-Chairman, Roche Holding, and Interim Co-Chair, World Economic Forum. “There is no prosperity without humanity, and there is no time like the present to find ways to protect sustainability and inclusive growth.”

“At a crucial moment when our planet is facing complex challenges, we need to build resilience to ensure a sustainable and inclusive future for all,” added Børge Brende, President and CEO, World Economic Forum.

“Humanitarian funding across the world is frankly running out. At the same time, we're seeing huge numbers of people who need humanitarian assistance, whether it's in places like Ukraine or Gaza or the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Amy Pope, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). “The need is at a scale we've never seen before. So there's just a tension between resources available and people who need them.”

“In 10 years, there will be a mushrooming of alternatives, where you will have these regional and like-minded groups working together on different kinds of projects. It could be connectivity, climate, energy, or regional finance and development ideas,” said Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation.