February 4, 2026

GSFN EUROPE SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT 2026

Global South–South–North Dialogue for Sustainable Futures

30–31 January 2026 | Hybrid (Online & In‑Person)

About the Summit

Following the successful delivery of eight GSFN Global South Summits, GSFN is expanding its vision to launch Global South–South–North Summits. The Europe Sustainability Summit 2026 marks the first step in this new global chapter.

GSFN continues to champion co‑design, co‑production, and co‑implementation through a transdisciplinary approach that brings together:

  • Universities and schools
  • Businesses and industry leaders
  • Governments and policymakers
  • Non‑profits and civil society
  • Innovators, researchers, and community leaders

Our mission is to amplify local voices, support context‑driven solutions, and build global capacity to co‑create a science‑led, low‑carbon, energy‑efficient, and equitable society—leaving no one behind.

Europe Sustainability Summit 2026 – Day 1 Summary

Theme: Leadership, Systems & Youth Voices
Date: Friday, 30 January 2026
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM GMT

Overall Focus of Day 1

Day 1 centred on the interconnected themes of sustainability leadership, global economic transitions, agriculture and water systems, and the power of youth in climate action. The sessions collectively highlighted the importance of systems thinking, integrity in governance, climate‑resilient practices, and inclusive multi-stakeholder collaboration for Europe’s sustainability transition and its linkage with the Global South.

1. Opening Session (1:00 – 1:15 PM)

The summit began with an introduction to the purpose, structure, and long-term vision of GSFN’s Europe Sustainability Summit. The opening contextualised Europe’s role within global sustainability transitions, emphasising the need for:

  • Systems leadership that integrates science, ethics, and community perspectives
  • Cross-regional cooperation across Europe, the Global South, and the Global North
  • A FireChat format to foster open, co-created dialogue

The session reaffirmed the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration and the role of global networks in addressing climate change, environmental pressures, and social inequalities.

2. Keynote Address: Leadership for a Resilient & Sustainable European Economy (1:15 – 1:30 PM)

The keynote emphasised the evolving nature of economic leadership in the era of climate change, focusing on:

  • Sustainability as a driver of economic competitiveness
  • The shift towards circular, low‑carbon models
  • Governance systems capable of aligning European and global sustainability priorities
  • The need for adaptive, resilient leadership structures
  • Water stewardship as a foundational element of economic resilience

This framing set the stage for deeper discussions during the FireChats.

3. Global Economic & Sustainability Leadership (1:30 – 2:30 PM)

This FireChat explored the intersection of economic resilience, ESG leadership, and Europe’s global positioning. Discussions covered:

Key Themes

  • Sustainability as a core strategy for market governance and competitiveness
  • Integrating One Health, ecosystem-based food systems, and preventive approaches in shaping economic systems
  • Strengthening governance through improved integrity, transparency, and accountability, supported by practical tools such as sustainability and governance audits
  • Bridging the gap between policy ambition and real-world implementation
  • The growing need to harmonise global and European sustainability frameworks

The session called for leadership models that combine ethical governance, cross-sector collaboration, and scientific evidence to guide real market transformation.

4. Agriculture, Water & Food Systems (2:30 – 3:30 PM)

This session examined climate-resilient development through the lens of agricultural practices, water management, and food security.

Highlights

  • The importance of distinguishing short-term vs. long-term climate impacts to guide planning and investment
  • Water management innovations, including AI‑enabled aquifer estimation, digital water monitoring, and circular water reuse
  • Sustainable agriculture approaches such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD) for rice, which significantly reduces water use and emissions while supporting farmer livelihoods through carbon credit mechanisms
  • Case studies on water reuse in industry and community-led environmental conservation
  • Insights into agricultural challenges and emerging responses across Africa, Asia, and Europe

The FireChat emphasised water stewardship, climate-resilient food systems, and integrated land–water approaches as critical pillars of sustainability.

5. Youth in Sustainability (3:30 – 4:00 PM)

The final session of Day 1 highlighted the essential role of youth leadership and intergenerational collaboration.

Core Emphases

  • Empowering young people through skills development, practical training, and involvement in climate-smart agriculture
  • Addressing barriers faced by youth, particularly in resource-limited regions, including access to digital tools, mentorship, and opportunities
  • Encouraging youth involvement in paid, leadership-oriented sustainability roles
  • Promoting innovation through youth-led data tracking, water management tools, and community-driven climate projects
  • Building partnerships between youth groups, schools, UN agencies, and global networks to scale their impact

The discussion reinforced that youth are not just participants but co-creators and leaders in shaping climate-resilient futures.

Day 1 – Key Highlights

  • Strong focus on sustainability as a leadership and economic transformation agenda
  • Deep exploration of water resilience, digital water management, and climate adaptation
  • Practical agricultural innovations showcased, including AWD, circular water reuse, and AI-driven monitoring
  • Commitment to bridging governance gaps through integrity, transparency, and evidence-based decision-making
  • Clear recognition of the critical role of youth in scaling climate action and sustainable development
  • Consistent emphasis on cross-regional collaboration, acknowledging Europe’s role in global systems change

Register Your Interest for Day 2.

Your participation will be immensely valuable in co‑creating global sustainable futures.

👉 Please complete the registration form below to confirm your interest in attending, speaking, partnering, or sponsoring the Europe Sustainability Summit 2026.

REGISTER HERE

Interactive Session Format & Participation Approach

Given the strong interest in the summit themes and the wide range of perspectives across sectors and regions, the Europe Sustainability Summit is designed to ensure that diverse voices, experiences, and expertise are meaningfully heard.

To support this, the summit will feature innovative, highly interactive session formats that move beyond traditional, presentation‑led approaches. Sessions are structured to encourage dialogue, exchange, and co‑creation, enabling participants to actively engage rather than passively listen.

Session Design Philosophy

All sessions are guided by the principles of:

  • Co‑design – shaping discussions collaboratively
  • Co‑production – sharing knowledge across disciplines and sectors
  • Co‑implementation – focusing on ideas that can translate into real‑world action

This approach creates space for cross‑sector learning, intergenerational perspectives, and practical problem‑solving.

Session Format

Depending on the theme, sessions may follow a FireChat‑style or interactive dialogue format, characterised by:

  • Short, focused contributions from participants
  • Speakers building on or responding to previous inputs
  • A flowing, conversational structure rather than sequential presentations
  • Emphasis on exchange, inspiration, and collective learning

The aim is to foster dynamic discussions that reflect the complexity of sustainability challenges and the value of multiple perspectives.

Presentation Guidance

To support engagement and accessibility:

  • Participants may be asked to prepare a single slide only, highlighting:
    • A key message, insight, or innovation
    • Name and affiliation (if applicable)
    • Contact details for follow‑up engagement

This ensures clarity, keeps discussions focused, and enables participants to connect directly with one another beyond the session.

Open & Inclusive Participation

Interest in summit themes is high, and participation is not limited to a fixed list of speakers. Attendees are encouraged to:

  • Contribute insights and experiences
  • Engage respectfully with differing perspectives
  • Participate actively in dialogue and reflection

The summit values inclusive participation and recognises that impactful solutions emerge through shared learning.

Why This Approach?

This interactive session model is designed to:

  • Break down silos between sectors and disciplines
  • Encourage peer‑to‑peer and cross‑regional learning
  • Create a safe, respectful space for open exchange
  • Support the co‑creation of scalable, context‑driven sustainability solutions

Next Steps

Detailed agendas and session flows will be shared ahead of the summit. Participants are encouraged to stay engaged and prepare to contribute actively.

We look forward to your participation and to collaborative, forward‑looking discussions that help shape resilient and sustainable futures.

European_Sustainability_Summit_2026_AgendaDownload

Why Attend?

By participating in the Europe Sustainability Summit—from planning through to closing—you will have the opportunity to:

  • Network with global and local leaders across sectors
  • Share expertise, evidence, and insights
  • Contribute to real‑world, implementable sustainability solutions
  • Expand your professional and academic networks
  • Be part of a global movement driving systemic and inclusive sustainable change

Summit Objective

The Europe Sustainability Summit aims to bridge the gap between local needs and global policy frameworks by fostering inclusive dialogue and actionable partnerships across critical sectors.

The summit will:

  • Align community‑driven priorities with international frameworks on sustainability, trade, and climate action
  • Promote integrated solutions that strengthen governance and empower local actors
  • Accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Our ultimate goal is to co‑create scalable, equitable strategies that connect grassroots realities with global commitments for a resilient and sustainable future.

Key Themes

  • Global Economic & Sustainability Leadership
    Driving inclusive growth and innovation within planetary boundaries.
  • EU Regulation & Trade Commitments
    Navigating evolving European trade, sustainability, and regulatory frameworks.
  • Agriculture, Water & Food Systems
    Advancing climate‑smart agriculture and water security for resilient food systems.
  • Plastic Waste, WEEE & Circular Economy
    Building scalable models for holistic circularity and resource recovery.
  • Integration of Emerging Technologies and AI in Climate Modelling
    Harnessing advanced technologies and AI‑driven analytics to improve climate predictions, optimise resource use, and accelerate data‑driven sustainability solutions.

Partnerships & Sponsorship

We welcome local, regional, sub‑regional, and international partners and sponsors who wish to support and co‑shape the summit.

If you are interested in partnering or sponsoring, please indicate this in the registration form.

Certificates of participation will be awarded to:

  • Partners
  • Supporters
  • Sponsors
  • Speakers
  • Registered attendees