The World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Meetings (SDIM) 2024 will bring together over 1,000 global leaders in New York City from September 18-20, 2024. This gathering, occurring alongside the United Nations General Assembly, aims to revitalize efforts towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
With only six years remaining to reach these ambitious goals, progress remains inconsistent, with persistent challenges in climate resilience, social inclusion, and economic equity. Geoeconomic tensions, sluggish economic growth, and the escalating climate crisis have amplified the need for urgent, transformative collective action.
SDIM 2024 will play a pivotal role in bridging these gaps and promoting a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable global future. “As we face unprecedented global challenges, the Sustainable Development Impact Meetings will provide a timely platform for leaders to renew momentum around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” stated Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum. “These meetings aim to turn collective commitments on pressing global issues into meaningful and sustainable action.”
Leading the conversation, over 90 high-ranking officials from governments and international organizations, representing more than 40 countries, will gather in person. This includes eight heads of state and government, who will participate in a series of targeted discussions designed to further multistakeholder efforts around the 17 SDGs.
Prominent political figures attending the event include Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania; Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium; Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan; Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament; Alexander Stubb, President of Finland; Bernardo Arevalo, President of Guatemala; Ed Miliband, UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero; Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico; and John Kerry, United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (2021-2024) and former Secretary of State (2013-2017).
Key leaders from international organizations participating in SDIM 2024 include Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina, President of the African Development Bank; Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross; Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme; Catherine M. Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF; and Ibrahim Thiaw, Undersecretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
The diverse agenda will address critical topics such as Green Trade, Implementing COP Commitments, and Focusing on a Nature-Positive Future. Over 15 sessions will be livestreamed, offering insights to both the media and the public. These discussions aim to drive progress on current World Economic Forum initiatives, including the Edison Alliance, Responsible Renewables Infrastructure, and the Global Alliance for Women’s Health.
The outcomes of SDIM 2024 will shape future Forum work, including at COP29 and the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos. Additionally, the meetings will unveil new insights from the Forum, such as a report on critical minerals for the energy transition, groundbreaking research on quantum technology for the SDGs, and the latest edition of the Chief Economists Outlook.
