The University of Gothenburg at the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

Distinguished Fellow at ODI and Chair of SDSN Ireland. Former Irish Ambassador to the UN and co-facilitator of the negotiations that led to the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. He also co-led talks on the MDG review and the New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants. A key figure in the Northern Ireland peace process and former Director-General of Irish Aid. He remains active in global SDG implementation through think tanks and academia.

Darragh O'Brien T.D. was appointed Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy and Minister for Transport in January 2025. He previously served as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (2020-2025). He is an elected TD for the constituency of Dublin Fingal East. Prior to his election to the 30th Dáil in 2007, he worked mainly in Financial Services and was elected to Fingal County Council in 2004. He was elected to Seanad Éireann in 2011.

He has held various positions within the Oireachtas including Vice-Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, Member of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Law Reform, Leader of Fianna Fáil in the Seanad, Opposition Frontbench Spokesperson on Dublin, Foreign Affairs and Housing.

H.E. Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire is the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She provides strategic leadership for Nigeria’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda and represents the country on SDG matters globally. She previously served as Deputy Governor of Lagos State (2011–2015) and Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (2003–2015). Her political career began in 1992 when she became the first female lawmaker in Lagos State. She has over 30 years of public service, with a strong focus on women’s rights, youth empowerment, and social development. She co-sponsored key legislation including the Child Rights Law and Domestic Violence Law in Lagos State. Her leadership has advanced SDG 8 and SDG 10 through job creation, vocational training, and support for vulnerable groups. She represents Nigeria globally on SDG issues and has received numerous awards, including the UN SDGs Champions Award and Nigeria’s National Productivity Order of Merit. 

Sectoral Specialist at the ILO, focusing on public services and utilities. A labour law expert and historian, he has promoted ILO Convention No. 151 on public service labour relations globally. Formerly a mediator and legal director in Puerto Rico, he holds a Ph.D. in History. He has published widely on labour rights and governance. His work supports decent work and inclusive labour relations in essential public sectors.

Director of the Environment for Development (EfD) initiative and Associate Professor at the University of Gothenburg. He has over 30 years of experience in environmental economics, focusing on sustainable resource use in developing countries. His research spans forestry, energy, and agriculture, with fieldwork in India and Africa. He promotes evidence-based policy for poverty reduction and environmental sustainability. His work supports SDG 8 through capacity building and by bridging the divide between academia and policy.

Secretary General of the International Association of Universities (IAU), a global NGO with UNESCO status. She advocates for higher education’s role in sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda. She contributes to major global initiatives, including UNESCO’s Futures of Education and ESD for 2030. A multilingual scholar, she has published widely on higher education and sustainability. Her work highlights universities’ role in promoting decent work and inclusive growth.

Senior Lecturer and Associate Dean at the University of Auckland Business School. He brings over a decade of global industry experience in marketing and business development. His research focuses on trust, AI, and ethical business practices. He also serves as Associate Director at Juncture, a center for inclusive capitalism. His work bridges academia and industry to support sustainable growth and decent work.

Executive Chair of Uganda’s National Planning Authority and Professor of Development Studies. She has held senior academic roles, including Deputy Vice Chancellor at Mbarara University. Her research focuses on governance, oil, land, and peacebuilding in Africa. She has held fellowships at Johns Hopkins, Leeds, and the Nordic Africa Institute. She champions inclusive planning and sustainable development in Uganda and beyond.

Director of REPRC–EfD Nigeria and Professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nigeria. He is an expert in environmental and development economics with over 15 years of research and policy engagement. His work spans climate change, carbon pricing, and sustainable agriculture. He advises national and international bodies on circular economy and environmental governance. His research promotes inclusive green growth and supports SDG 8.

Holds a PhD in computer Science with an Interdisciplinary focus in Sociology. He works with the Center for Humane AI and other labs on NSF-funded projects addressing equity in tech education. His research focuses on how identity shapes interactions with AI and computer science education. Yash serves as President-elect of SPEED and Technology Focal Point for the UN Major Group for Children and Youth. He advocates for inclusive STEM education and youth engagement in global policy. His interdisciplinary background spans technology, policy, and human-centered computing.