Agenda

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08:30

Registration Opens

09:00–09:30

Opening

Welcome Address
Guest of Honour Address

Opening Remarks

Professor Rocky S Tuan

Vice-Chancellor and President

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Professor Lam Hon-ming

Convenor

Organizing Committee of Global Conference on Sustainable Development

The Hon Tse Chin-wan, GBS, JP

Secretary for the Environment and Ecology

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

17 SDGs

09:30–10:15

Keynote Speeches

Mr Ban Ki-moon

Former United Nations Secretary General and Co‐Chair

Ban Ki‐moon Centre for Global Citizens

Professor Jeffrey Sachs

President

United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network

17 SDGs

10:15-11:00

Networking Break

11:00–12:30

Plenary Session 1

Sustainable Development Governance: Government, Civil Society and Business

Professor John Burns

Emeritus Professor of Politics and Public Administration

The University of Hong Kong

Synposis

Sustainable development governance is essential in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring that social, economic, and environmental factors are taken into account in policy and decision-making. However, various stakeholders face challenges in implementing sustainable development policies and practices, including limited resources, competing priorities, and regulatory barriers. Effective governance structures and partnerships with civil society and the private sector are crucial to overcoming these challenges. Governments must develop comprehensive sustainable development policies and strategies that consider the interests of all stakeholders. Civil society organizations must advocate for policy change, mobilize public support, and hold governments and businesses accountable for their actions. Businesses must adopt sustainable practices and technologies, invest in renewable energy and resource efficiency, and promote social and environmental responsibility. Collaboration and partnership among different stakeholders are crucial in promoting sustainable development governance. Multi-stakeholder partnerships, public-private partnerships, and community-based initiatives are successful examples of collaboration among governments, civil society organizations, and businesses. Engaging the community, education and raising public awareness are essential in promoting sustainable development. The plenary session on 'Sustainable Development Governance: Government, Civil Society and Business' will provide insights into the critical role of different stakeholders in promoting sustainable development and how they can collaborate to overcome challenges and achieve common goals. Effective governance structures, partnerships, and stakeholder collaboration are essential in promoting sustainable development governance and ensuring a more sustainable future for all.

Panelists

Professor Danny Lam

Director

Center for Civil Society and Governance

The University of Hong Kong

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

12:30–14:00

Lunch Break

14:00–15:00

Plenary Session 2

University Sustainability Index: Model Good Practices in Higher Education

Professor Carlos Lo

Director, Centre for Business Sustainability and

Chairman, Department of Government and Public Administration

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Synposis

This plenary session will share the understanding of university social responsibility and its importance. On this basis, it will consider how universities should engage in USR practices in order to achieve university sustainable development. Finally, it will explore how to track USR performance and assess its impacts for continuing improvement with an University Sustainability Index.

Panelists

Professor Carolyn Egri

Professor

Beedie School of Business

Simon Fraser University

17 SDGs

15:00–15:30

Launch of University Sustainability Index

15:30–14:00

Networking Break

16:00–17:00

Breakout Session 1

Sustainable Finance and Green Investment

Dr William Yu

CEO

World Green Organisation

Synposis

SDG 8 emphasises inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. This session will explore the role of sustainable finance and green investment in attaining this goal amid the current climate crisis. With global environmental disasters increasing in frequency and intensity, rising global temperatures - underscored by July 2023 being the hottest month ever recorded globally, threats of the AMOC ocean systems' collapse, and alarming biodiversity loss, the need for urgent action is clear. Moreover, the social implications of climate change, compounded by the public health and occupational safety risks posed by COVID-19, demand our immediate attention. The panel aims to explore how sustainable finance can direct investments to adapt and mitigate these pressing environmental and social issues. Despite the return on investments for green finance not meeting expectations in the past two years, the conference will examine the way forward. Key questions to be addressed include: Where should we direct capital for green investing, whether the focus should be on short-term or long-term solutions, such as continuous education, and how corporations can be encouraged to engage with ESG solutions. By facilitating dialogues among global leaders and experts, the conference seeks to advance the implementation of sustainable finance as a tool for combating the climate crisis and promoting global sustainability.

Panelists

Mr Alpha Chia

Manager

Risk Advisory Services

BDO Limited

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

Breakout Session 2

Building an Age-friendly City in Hong Kong

Professor Jean Woo

Director, CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing and Co‐Director, CUHK Institute of Health Equity

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Synposis

The Sustainable Development Goals are intertwined and have differential impacts on the health of people. The session will discuss the impact of climate change to older people in Hong Kong, how physical and social environment affects their unequal healthy aging and why such environment is important to building an age-friendly city in Hong Kong.

Panelists

Professor Helene Fung

Professor

Department of Psychology

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities

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08:00

Registration Opens

08:30–10:00

Plenary Session 3
Geospatial Information and Human Health

Professor Kwan Mei-po

Choh-Ming Li Professor of Geography and Resource Management

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Synposis

Climate change has become a pressing global challenge that significantly impacts human health. Geospatial data and technologies are useful in examining the impact of the environment on health. This session aims to provide a platform for experts in various fields to collaborate and exchange knowledge, leading to the development of novel research agendas and cross-disciplinary solutions by harnessing the power of geospatial data and analysis.

Panelists

Dr Zihan Kan

Assistant Professor

Department of Geography and Resource Management,

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

10:00–10:30

Networking Break

10:30–11:30

Breakout Session 3

Strengthening Regional Partnership in Advancing the SDG Agenda

Professor Wong Chin-huat

Deputy Head (Strategy)

UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network Asia Headquarters

Panelists

Miss Karen Chand

Director of Education Studies

UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network Asia Headquarters

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

Breakout Session 4
Building Resilience through Biodiversity Conservation

Professor Jerome Hui

Director

Biology Programme, School of Life Sciences

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Synposis

Biodiversity forms the fundamental base of our natural world, as it contains all the different kinds of life on our planet. These life forms ranging from animals, bacteria, fungi, and plants work together in the ecosystems to maintain balance and support all life on Earth. Nevertheless, it is becoming clear that the biodiversity lost is now occuring at a much higher rate than its natural status. Protecting and preserving the wealth and variety of species, habitats, ecosystems, and genetic diversity, as well as promoting their sustainable utilisation or use, are of utmost and undeniable importance. In this session, the four speakers will showcase their research and work relating to biodiversity conservation, followed by discussion of ways to move forward in a collaborative manner for our current and future generations.

Panelists

Mr Chan Kin-fung

Assistant Director (Conservation)

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government

SDG 14 Life Below Water

SDG 15 Life on Land

11:30–12:30

Breakout Session 5
Carbon Neutrality

Professor Xu Yuan

Programme Leader of Environmental Policy and Governance

Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Synposis

Carbon neutrality has gained crucial momentum in the past three years with all major economies and over 90% of global greenhouse gas emissions now falling under national pledges. China aims to reach the goal by 2060, while as China’s most advanced metropolitan, Hong Kong targets 2050. The ongoing US-China trade war and de-globalization are imposing new challenges in the deployment of carbon-neutral technologies and possible supply-chain disruptions to affect China’s relevant industries. The Russia-Ukraine war further exposes the energy security challenges of fossil fuels as China’s foreign dependency of oil and natural gas reaches alarming levels. This panel aims to explore the challenges and opportunities of carbon neutrality with the megatrends and geopolitical contexts.

Panelists

Professor Anatole Boute

Professor, Faculty of Law

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

SDG 13 Climate Action

Breakout Session 6

Sustainable Food Systems under Global Change

Professor Amos Tai

Co‐Director

The Chinese University of Hong Kong–University of Exeter Joint Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Resilience

Synposis

The current global food system is a major driver of environmental change, contributing to nearly 40% of the global greenhouse gas emissions and a plethora of pollution and resource depletion problems. In this session, experts and practitioners from across science, policy and development will share their insights, and discuss how agricultural production and food systems can be made more environmentally sustainable while ensuring people’s secure and equitable access to food.

Panelists

Dr May Chu

Assistant Professor
School of Government

University of Birmingham

SDG 2 Zero Hunger

SDG 13 Climate Action

12:30–14:00

Lunch Break

14:00–15:00

Breakout Session 7
Sustainable Tourism

Professor Lisa Wan

Acting Director, School of Hotel and Tourism Management and

Co‐Director, Centre for Hospitality and Real Estate Research

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Synposis

Hospitality and tourism businesses have a significant impact on the environment. For instance, both tourists and hotels tend to overuse energy for lighting, fuel, and water, leading to the generation of substantial food and plastic waste. In response to urgent global concerns about environmental degradation and climate change, raising awareness about environmental sustainability and conserving natural heritage and biodiversity become crucial for maintaining sustainable tourism. In this forum, we will delve into practical insights on how to promote tourists’ awareness of pro-environmental practices/behaviors, motivate hotels and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable practices, and explore the potential of green technology to enhance the operational efficiency of tourism enterprises. This will showcase their dedication to a more sustainable future.

Panelists

Professor Elisa Chan

Assistant Professor

School of Hotel and Tourism Management

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Breakout Session 8

Education for Sustainable Development

Professor Patrick Paul Walsh

Director

SDSN SDG Academy

Synposis

Education has been cited as a key enabler of the U.N.’s 2030 Agenda. To achieve the ambitious range of the SDGs, education is perhaps one of our greatest tools to advance progress. The SDG Academy at SDSN has embarked on a mission to support the global development goals through the creation and delivery of high-quality resources, accredited degree programs, training initiatives, thought leadership, and communities of practice. In this session, SDG Academy leaders and affiliates will discuss the wide range of our initiatives enriching the movement to achieve sustainable development.

Panelists

Professor Charles Hopkins

UNESCO Chair at York University
Member, High Level Advisory Council, SDG Academy

SDG 4 Quality Education

15:00–15:30

Networking Break

15:30–17:00

Plenary Session 4
Climate Crisis and Science

Professor Lam Hon-ming

Director

Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Speaker

Ms Sandy Song

Assistant Director, Hong Kong Observatory

Panelists

Ms Lydia Siu

Research Director (Qualitative)

Ipsos

SDG 13 Climate Action

17:00–17:20

Closing

Professor Thomas Schneider

Chief Executive

The Association of Pacific Rim Universities

Professor Sham Mai-har

Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research)
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

17 SDGs

17:20

Post-conference Networking Coffee

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4 October (Wednesday)

5 October (Thursday)