In a landmark development for the region, the Government of Indonesia, through the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), has officially joined as a co-host for the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026.
This partnership transforms the Jakarta-based congress from a summit of ideas into a global decision-making hub. With the Government of Indonesia at the heart alongside the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), the 2026 event will serve as the primary platform where national policy meets global innovation to drive the next chapter of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"As Indonesia leads the regional charge toward a resilient future, we are proud to host a platform that reflects the true complexity of the SDGs. Sustainability cannot be achieved by any one sector in isolation; it requires a unified front of policymakers, global CEOs, academic researchers, and NGOs. By convening this powerful coalition in Jakarta, we are bridging the gap between strategic intent and real-world implementation. This partnership ensures that the solutions forged here have the political weight, the financial backing, and the community-level trust required to transform global goals into local realities”, said Rachmat Pambudy, Minister of National Development Planning for the Republic of Indonesia.
Yemi Adeshiyan, Managing Director of the GSDC, said, "The partnership of the Indonesian Government as a co-host is a catalyst for the region. By anchoring the Congress in Southeast Asia and working directly with the machinery of national planning, we are ensuring that the solutions forged in Jakarta have the political and strategic weight to influence the global 2030 Agenda. This partnership bridges the gap between global academic expertise and real-world state implementation."
The inaugural Asia-Pacific Sustainable Business Summit: Bridging policy and profit
A defining feature of the 2026 programme is the launch of the inaugural Asia-Pacific Sustainable Business Summit. Running alongside the main congress, this high-level forum addresses the priorities shaping sustainable business across the Asia-Pacific region, from energy transition and finance to supply chains, circularity, digital infrastructure and workforce capability. Participating businesses include Coca-Cola, TikTok and IBM, along with the European Investment Bank, Danantara Indonesia and the UN Global Compact.
Leadership in education and philanthropy
The congress will feature a concentration of decision-makers, including regional Ministers of Education and Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, Founder and Chairman of the Sunway Group, whose philanthropic commitment to quality education is a cornerstone of the regional SDG movement.
Speaking on the event, Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah said, “Quality education and sustainable development are the twin pillars of a resilient future. The GSDC provides a vital nexus where academia, government, and the private sector move beyond ambition into measurable action. It is an honour for me and Sunway University to contribute to this movement as we empower the next generation."
The 2026 global agenda
- Taking place from 22 to 25 June 2026, the main congress and the Asia-Pacific Sustainable Business Summit will bring together 5,000 leaders to tackle six transformative pillars:
cities and communities
education, gender and inequality
environment
circular economy and materials
decarbonisation
energy, supply chains and resources
The event will also feature the live global reveal of the THE Impact Ratings 2026, the world’s premier framework for measuring university contributions to the UN SDGs.
For more information and to book tickets to the Global Sustainable Development Congress, visit www.gsdcongress.com/2026.
Notes to editors
About Times Higher Education and the Global Sustainable Development Congress:
Times Higher Education (THE) is the convenor and founding host of the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC). The GSDC is a premier global forum that convenes high-level stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers and business executives, to drive alliances and accelerate the action needed to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Contact for editors:
To arrange a press pass or interviews, please contact Carina McKeown-Johnson, GSDC Media Manager, at carina.mckeown-johnson@timeshighereducation.com.