The World Institute of Sustainable Development Planners Held the “Talk About UN80” Sharing Session
Stimulating Cross-Industry Dialogue on Hong Kong's Role and Opportunities in the UN 2.0 Era
On October 9, 2025, the World Institute of Sustainable Development Planners (WISDP) successfully held the “Talk About UN80” member exchange event. Co-organized by the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, the event gathered sustainable development planners, experts, scholars, and youth representatives from various industries to discuss the international trends and development directions highlighted by the recently held United Nations 80th Anniversary Conferences (UN80) and the UN Global Compact (UNGC) Leaders Summit, as well as Hong Kong’s opportunities in the context of international sustainable development agenda. The event aimed to assist sustainable development professionals in gaining insights into global sustainable development trends.
Photo Highlights at the United Nations Global Compact Leaders Summit 2025:
Expert Sharing: Hong Kong's New Role and Mission in the Context of International Trends
Professor Karen Cheung (President of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association, Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, and President of the World Institute of Sustainable Development Planners) shared insights from her exchange and discussions with international peers at the global conferences. Focusing on the UN 2.0 “Quintet of Change” – a fusion of data, digitalization, innovation, foresight, and behavioral science – proposed at this years’ UN General Assembly, she emphasized that Hong Kong should leverage the unique advantages of the Greater Bay Area. She stressed that Hong Kong should not only act as an international “super-connector” but also actively participate in the green development of the Greater Bay Area, promoting China’s sustainable development solutions globally and demonstrating leadership. As exemplified by the release of the “2025 Hong Kong Sustainable Development Innovation and Technology Solutions Report” by the WISDP at the “2025 UN Global Compact Leaders Summit,” and the integration of the ten UNGC principles with four key actions into WISDP’s “Certified Sustainable Development Corporation®️” framework to build green supply chains and a circular economy model, Professor Cheung proposed that Hong Kong enterprises should further leverage on the resources of Greater Bay Area and international partners to expand the influence and leadership of Chinese enterprises.
Ir. Chi-Shing Ho (Chairman of the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency and Honorary President of the World Institute of Sustainable Development Planners) focused on the core role of data, planning, standards, and certification in driving sustainable development. He shared Hong Kong’s practical experience in aligning with international standards and implementing the national “Dual Carbon” goals, and explored how China could establish a unique ESG evaluation system to provide enterprises with a clear transition pathway.
Professor Thomas C.C. Wong (Standing Committee Member of the Hong Kong Chinese Manufacturers’ Association and Certified Sustainable Development Planner (CSDP®) of the World Institute of Sustainable Development Planners) raised diverse topics from the perspective of industry and commerce, including carbon trading, blockchain, culture, and SMEs, inspiring cross-industry discussions among participants.
Ms. Americana Chen (Youth Affairs Coordinator of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association) responded to the UN80 theme of youth empowerment, exploring how youth creativity can be utilized under new trends. She encouraged young people to take a step further and go from the curiosity and critical thinking needed to identify problems to creating solutions, which will enable youths to find development pathways and contribute their strength in the field of sustainable development.
Expert attendees believed that Hong Kong, under “One Country, Two Systems,” possesses significant advantages in the green development of the Greater Bay Area. Hong Kong should seize the vast opportunities presented by the Greater Bay Area, leveraging its strengths in finance, professional services, certification, technological innovation, and international networks to lead a unique path in sustainable development.
The sharing session also highlighted the crucial role of “Certified Sustainable Development Planners (CSDP®)” in promoting cross-sectoral collaboration. Over fifty CSDP® professionals from various industries such as finance, manufacturing, education, and engineering gathered online and offline to brainstorm and discuss how to integrate international frameworks with local action through professional knowledge and practice, working together to create a sustainable future.