CONVENING GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS

KAUST hosts the Times Higher Education Global Sustainable Development Congress 2023

KAUST brought together global leaders in sustainability for the highly anticipated Times Higher Education Global Sustainable Development Congress 2023 over four days from May 29 to June 1.

“We are in a state of climate and sustainability crisis. The congress is a call to action and an invitation to global universities to pivot their educational, research, innovation and outreach programs toward tangible outcomes.”

TONY CHAN President of KAUST

This inaugural congress addressed pressing sustainability challenges around four pillars of energy and industry, health and demography, sustainable environment, and cities and communities, into which the 17 United Nations sustainable development goals were grouped. KAUST welcomed a diverse and influential group of participants, including 1,385 in-person delegates and an additional 250 virtually, bringing together representatives from 267 universities and 67 countries.

A highlight of the event was the presence of HE Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment. He engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with KAUST President Dr. Tony Chan centered on the topic of investing in transformation within the Kingdom, and the role of strategic investment in driving the sustainable development agenda. Other attendees included ministers, national stakeholders, and international thought leaders.

The congress featured an impressive line-up of keynote speakers, interactive exhibits and roundtable discussions, covering a wide range of topics relevant to sustainable development.

Participants engaged with experts to gain valuable insights into sustainability research and innovative solutions, including those of 12 KAUST faculty members.

The event was bookended by addresses from renowned academic leaders: the President and co-chair of the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation of Arizona State University, Michael Crow, and the Founding Dean of the Climate School and Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, Alex Halliday. Crow is a transformative leader in American higher education, amplifying the university’s societal impact. Halliday’s expertise in paleoclimate offered a long-term perspective on the impact of anthropogenic climate change, concluding the congress with inspiration and motivation for attendees to pursue sustainable solutions in their respective domains.

During their speeches, both speakers emphasized the unique roles of universities, which are characterized by societal trust, demographic diversity, and the ability to pivot quickly and focus the talent of youth. Universities are expected to look beyond what is to what could be. KAUST President Tony Chan invoked a sense of urgency in his opening address, stating that universities cannot wait for the cavalry to show up; universities are the cavalry.

Ministry Of Investment

“This congress has shown an inspiring range of innovative approaches and research expertise across the international sustainability landscape. There is a great opportunity that must not be missed for the Kingdom and international partners to collaborate.”

HE Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment

The collaboration between KAUST and Times Higher Education underscored a shared commitment to advancing the global sustainability agenda, and the choice of KAUST as the venue for the event was no coincidence. As a world-class research university with a strong focus on science and technology, KAUST has demonstrated from its founding its dedication to sustainable development. Tours of its state-of-the-art facilities each afternoon highlighted its own cutting-edge research initiatives and collaborative ecosystem.

The congress set the stage for future partnerships and initiatives to promote global sustainable development. Such gatherings are vital in shaping the future amidst complex environmental and social challenges. Hosting the event cemented KAUST’s global leadership in advancing science, technology and innovation for a more sustainable world.

Times Higher Education is recognized as a leading source of news, data, analysis and insights focused on global higher education. Looking ahead, KAUST has been selected to host the World Academic Summit in 2025, which is the organization’s flagship conference.

CUHK-SHENZHEN

“As the most innovative international research universities in our respective countries, CUHK-Shenzhen and KAUST are well positioned to collaborate in education and research, and to promote scientific and cultural exchanges between China and Saudi Arabia.”

Professor Tom Luo, Vice President (Academic), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen; and Director, Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data