At the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations warns that the world is at risk of not meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To accomplish the 17 SDGs agreed upon by December 2030, we must accelerate the holistic approach through teamwork, open communication, and cross-sectoral collaboration.

In a joint project with UN-Habitat, Deloitte and UNGSII, INGLOSUS honored sustainability efforts through the SDG Conference and Award, on 7 November 2023 at Casals Forum and Schlosshotel Kronberg. This event aimed to recognize and reward the dedication of individuals and organizations in driving sustainability forward and lay out the inaugural concept of the SDG City Certification initiative.

Darius Maleki, vice-chairman of INGLOSUS, concludes: “Alongside Monica Palumbo, Valeria Mangani, Eva Meyer, Yasmin Alshaikh, Mattia Morara and many more, we took a deepdive into the SDGs, their implementation potential and their future potentials. We were proud to accompany and realize this onsite Conference and Awards Dinner, to scale our efforts towards bringing the SDGs to Life.”

Cities are widely recognized as catalysts for sustainable development when planned and managed effectively. However, they require inclusive, evidence-driven planning, transparent governance with efficient and equitable service provision, and access to financial resources. During this year’s UN Habitat General Assembly, the 36 member states approved the initiation and testing of the SDG City Certification initiative. This concept offers direction and acknowledgment for efficient strategies to advance the SDGs within urban centers. The SDG Conference was the world’s first hearing on this concept.