As 2030 approaches, the Sustainable Development Goals stand at a crossroads. While some targets are within reach, others lag dangerously behind.
At the same time, the global order is shifting. What happens to sustainable development in a world where trust in multilateralism is fraying, yet the need for collective action has never been greater?
In this episode, we are so happy to welcome and speak with Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and also University Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University.
Please subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
The opinions expressed in the SDG Learncast podcasts are solely those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of UN SDG:Learn, its Joint Secretariat, and partners.
In this episode, we dive into one of Europe’s most inspiring urban renewal stories: the transformation of Germany’s Emscher River. Once an open sewer running through the industrial heartland of the Ruhr, it’s now a thriving, green artery for wildlife and communities.
Over 30 years and €5.5 billion, the Emschergenossenschaft and Lippeverband replaced 430 km of open wastewater channels with modern underground systems, restored 170 km of river, and created public spaces like the stunning Phoenix Lake.
We’ll talk with Prof. Dr. Uli Paetzel, CEO of Emschergenossenschaft, about how a river went from symbol of industrial pollution to a model of ecological restoration and community pride. This is a story of engineering brilliance, political will, and deep community engagement, a blueprint for how cities can heal their waterways and themselves.
Please subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
The opinions expressed in the SDG Learncast podcasts are solely those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of UN SDG:Learn, its Joint Secretariat, and partners.
In this episode, we dive into how artificial intelligence or AI is transforming entrepreneurship education. Our guests for this SDG Learncast are Dorina Dobra-Basca and Guillaume Lamothe from the International Trade Centre’s SME Trade Academy. They will take us inside their AI-powered pilot course which is on “Raising Funds for Your Business,” which engaged over 400 learners across 100 countries.
They were inspired by Benjamin Bloom’s “2-Sigma Problem,” which underscores the effectiveness of one-on-one tutoring to increase learners’ performance. With this in mind, they pilot-tested three AI personas— AI Tutor, AI Moderator, and AI Grader—to provide personalized support, boost motivation, and deepen learning.
We would like to hear their experience but also learn from them what it takes to make AI feel like a mentor, not a machine? How do we balance rigor with inclusivity, especially for learners in the Global South? And what’s next for AI in education beyond the buzz?
If you're an educator, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of learning, stay with us for a timely look at how AI can drive inclusive and impactful education.
Please subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
The opinions expressed in the SDG Learncast podcasts are solely those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of UN SDG:Learn, its Joint Secretariat, and partners.
In this episode of SDG Learncast, we are speaking with Mr. Guillaume Lafortune, Vice-President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and lead author of the Europe Sustainable Development Report 2025 (ESDR). We will unpack the key findings of the latest ESDR, examining the slowdown in SDG progress across Europe and the challenges that lie ahead.
Set against a backdrop of rising populism, geopolitical tensions, and climate risks, this conversation dives into urgent priorities for the new EU leadership (2024–2029). Topics include persistent inequalities, international spillovers from EU consumption, the transformation of food systems, and the role of European leadership in shaping global sustainability efforts.
We also spotlight the outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), hosted in Spain, and discuss how Europe can lead reforms in global financial architecture to support SDG acceleration.
This episode explores how innovative financing, policy coherence, and new forms of SDG diplomacy can help Europe not only get back on track but also catalyze sustainable development globally.
Please subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
The opinions expressed in the SDG Learncast podcasts are solely those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of UN SDG:Learn, its Joint Secretariat, and partners.
In this episode of SDG Learncast, we will explore the often-overlooked environmental and social impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure expansion. Our guest from Earth Insight will unpack how the global push for LNG, often viewed as a cleaner fossil fuel, threatens coastal and marine ecosystems—from the Gulf of California to the Verde Island Passage and beyond. We will discuss the urgent need for a shift to renewable energy and strategies for safeguarding our planet’s most vulnerable regions from the devastating effects of LNG projects.
Based on the insightful report "Anything But Natural: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Infrastructure Expansion Threats to Coastal and Marine Ecosystems," this episode will highlight significant threats LNG projects pose to coastal and marine environments and the communities that depend on them. Our speaker will also present the global investment surge in LNG infrastructure, which jeopardizes the transition to renewable energy and threatens biodiversity-rich regions. Finally, we will share some examples and case studies from the Gulf Coast of the United States, the Gulf of California in Mexico, the Verde Island Passage in the Philippines, and the Atlantic Coast of Brazil, highlighting the diverse and far-reaching impacts of LNG projects.
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Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.
The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
In this podcast episode, we will look into the transformative power of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) and how they support achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The IDGs offer a framework for cultivating the human capabilities, qualities, and skills essential for building a sustainable, equitable, and thriving future for all.
In this episode, we will explore how the IDGs complement the SDGs by focusing on the inner dimensions of change, such as self-awareness, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and resilience. These inner qualities are critical for addressing the complex challenges of our time and for driving meaningful, systemic change towards sustainability. Our discussion with Åsa Jarskog, the Director Global Collaboration of the Inner Development Goals will cover the origins, development, and applications of the IDG framework, showcasing how it equips individuals, communities, and organizations with the inner skills needed to effectively contribute to the global sustainable development agenda. Let us unlock the synergy between inner transformation and outer action, illuminating a holistic path to achieving a sustainable future for all.
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Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.
The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
The world faces a significant challenge in ensuring food security for its growing population amidst the threats posed by climate change. The increasing reliance on a narrow selection of cultivated crops due to industrial agriculture is causing a concerning reduction in the genetic diversity of plants. This narrowing pool poses a risk to global food security, making our food supply more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and changing climate conditions.
Seed banks play a crucial role in combating this trend by preserving the genetic diversity of thousands of plant species, including traditional and 'forgotten' crops that are resilient to changing climate conditions and offer nutritional benefits. These facilities, alongside innovative agricultural practices, are vital in reintroducing a diversity of crops into modern agriculture. This diversification can lead to more resilient food systems that are capable of withstanding environmental stresses, thereby securing the nutritional needs of future generations.
In this SDG Learncast episode, we're honored to have Dr. Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Crop Trust, as our distinguished guest. Dr. Schmitz brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the fields of agricultural biodiversity and food security. He will discuss the growing importance of seed banks in the fight against the erosion of agricultural biodiversity and share insights into the Crop Trust's efforts to conserve crop diversity globally. This includes supporting key seed banks worldwide and coordinating projects like the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, aimed at ensuring the long-term preservation and availability of crop diversity for the benefit of everyone.
Dr. Schmitz will delve into the challenges and opportunities in preserving agricultural biodiversity, the critical role of seed banks, and the transformative potential of reintroducing 'forgotten' crops into agriculture. He will also highlight the innovative strategies being employed to support the work of seed banks and the importance of global collaboration in safeguarding our agricultural heritage. Through this conversation, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how preserving seed diversity and embracing innovative agricultural practices are essential steps toward a sustainable and food-secure future.
Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast on podcast apps.
Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.
The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
In the face of complex development challenges, particularly in the context of Covid-19, what can we learn from the future?
In this episode, SDG Learncast asks Professor Sohail Inayatullah, UNESCO Inaugural Chair for Future Studies, what can we learn from futurists and how do future studies help governments formulate and implement policies on sustainable development. As we try to build a sustainable future, Professor Sohail talks about how double-loop learning can help decision-makers effectively learn and how we can use the future to transform today.
Please subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
The episode was published on April 12, 2021.
The opinions expressed in the SDG Learncast podcasts are solely those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of UN SDG:Learn, its Joint Secretariat, and partners.
In this episode, Guillaume Lafortune, Vice President of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), discusses the critical theme of long-term financing for sustainable development and the need for reform in the global financial architecture. He highlights the challenges hindering the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the estimated financing gap for the SDGs.
Guillaume emphasizes the importance of investing in energy and water for high returns and the systemic financial difficulties impacting developing countries. He also discusses the role of multilateral development banks and the need for a long-term affordable financing system. Guillaume concludes by highlighting the opportunities for reforming the global financial architecture.
Takeaways
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Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.
The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
In this episode, we are featuring Benjamin Piper, the Director of Global Education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Ben sheds light on the groundbreaking work of the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP). With an exhaustive analysis of over 13,000 academic studies, GEEAP identifies the most effective and economical educational interventions.
We delved into the intriguing concept of "Smart Buys" or "Great Buys" in education, dissecting approaches like structured pedagogy and teaching children according to their learning level rather than age or grade.
We confront a stark reality: two-thirds of children in low and middle-income countries fail to acquire comprehensive reading skills by age 10. This crisis extends beyond literacy; it reflects the profound limitations of our current education systems. The question arises: How do we tackle this challenge? It's essential to look beyond simply increasing school enrolment. We must ensure that every child, once in school, has equal opportunities to maximize their learning potential.
You can read more about the 2023 Cost-effective Approaches to Improve Global Learning Report and the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP).
Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast on podcast apps.
Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.
The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
In this episode of the SDG Learncast, we feature Breanne Pitt, a researcher and educator, on the concept of systems thinking and its vital role in modern education. They explore the challenges and complexities of the digital age, discuss the impact of standardized testing, and delve into practical tools like the World Economic Forum's Transformation Maps. This enlightening conversation underscores the importance of a proactive approach to teaching, preparing students for a deeply interconnected world.
You can read more about Breanne Pitt's White Paper on Innovative Learning Solutions to Navigate Complexity: Adapting Systems Thinking to Future Classrooms.
Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast on podcast apps.
Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
Tyson Miller, Director of Earth Insight unpacks the escalating threats of oil and gas expansion in the Amazon and Congo Basin regions.
Drawing from the Earth Insight's reports "Congo in the Crosshairs: New Oil & Gas Expansion Threats to Forests and Communities" "Crisis Point: Oil and Gas Expansion Threats to Amazon and Congo Basin Tropical Forests and Communities" and an article from The Guardian, we discovered that Africa's oil and gas territories could quadruple, threatening to wipe out a third of the dense tropical forests and accelerating climate change. One thing is clear: polluting countries must step up to rapidly decarbonize their own economies.
Tyson doesn’t just highlight problems but also offers solutions. From the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty's efforts to halt fuel expansion to the push for banks to champion against fossil fuel projects, Tyson shines a light on pathways to counter these looming threats. Listen to the podcast to learn more about protecting our world's critical ecosystems.
Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast on podcast apps.
Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
In this podcast episode, we're joined by Yasmine Sherif, the Director of Education Cannot Wait (ECW), as she discussed the importance of quality education in crisis situations.
As a human rights lawyer with extensive field experience, Yasmine highlights the challenges of delivering education to the 222 million children lacking access today. Yasmine highlighted ECW's holistic approach to addressing this crisis, their hands-on experiences in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cox's Bazar, and the triumphs seen from strategic partnerships and programme investment, like in Colombia and Uganda.
She also talks about the role of technology in this field, painting a realistic picture of its limitations and possibilities. Join us to discover how ECW advocates for education as the foundation of all sustainable development goals.
Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast on podcast apps.
Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
In this SDG Learncast episode, we delved into the challenges of achieving sustainable food systems and the balance needed between biodiversity conservation and nutrition. Our guests, Dr. Sarah Jones and Dr. Aline Mosnier, experts in food systems and biodiversity conservation, discussed the impact of agriculture on biodiversity and how we can meet global targets by 2030.
They also explore the need to reduce the overconsumption of food and shift to healthier diets while meeting the nutritional needs of a projected population of 9 billion people by 2050. They also stressed the importance of avoiding conflicts and making ambitious policies and decisions to create a more sustainable future for everyone.
Tune in for insightful conversations on sustainable development and learning to help us achieve a better tomorrow.
Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast.
Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
According to the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021, although 46% of sub-Saharan Africa's population now has access to electricity--up from 33% in 2010--the region is far behind the global average of 90%. 97 million people in urban areas and 471 million in rural areas are still without access to electricity.
The lack of access is caused by several factors. On the demand side, there are low uptake and expensive connection charges while on the supply side, the energy sources are unreliable since more of the existing options in the region are renewable decentralized grids. This unreliability drives blackouts and brownouts.
In this episode, we feature Camila dos Santos Gonçalves and Grace Chenxin Liu, who are members of the New York Academy of Sciences, which selects 1,000 of the world's brightest high school students (ages 13-17) to become part of The Junior Academy. The members are then given a global challenge to work on, together with mentors and experts, to learn how to understand global problems and find approaches to address them.
In this year's challenge, the group was tasked to work on the Flexible Use of Electricity. After two months, the team of young people from different parts of the world presented their approach of using space satellites to respond to the energy needs but also approaching the issue holistically, addressing systemic issues, gender equality, and climate change.
Listen to this episode to learn more about how Camila, Grace and their team use space satellites to provide electricity to the most vulnerable groups in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast.
Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
Misinformation and disinformation are pressing public issues. There has been a rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation. Sometimes we call them fake news. This happens online and offline and it affects everyone, every day. Receiving truthful and quality information is critical as we all depend on information to make decisions.
At the personal level, we need accurate information to make decisions about health and who we vote for. And at the global level, we need established facts to make collective decisions on pressing issues. Such as pandemics climate change and resolving conflicts. The UN Secretary-General and his report 'Our Common Agenda' called the large-scale spread of disinformation and the undermining of scientifically established facts as an existential risk to humanity.
In this episode, we will be speaking with Dr. Julian Jaursch, Project Director at the SNV in Berlin, working on Strengthening the Digital Public Space.
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Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
Blockchain technology has been leveraged in humanitarian settings by the World Food Programme to deliver cash directly to beneficiaries securely and quickly, without the need to go through a local bank. The potential of blockchain applications in protecting the environment has also been tested to eliminate illegal fishing in the tuna industry. Blockchain applications are also being considered to provide a transparent, trustworthy way to show how nations are taking action to reduce their impact on the climate.
In this SDG Learncast episode, we spoke with Ms. Thy-Diep "Yip" Ta, co-founder of UNIT Ventures and DLT Talents, to unpack the blockchain technology for our podcast listeners and explain how the blockchain technology can also help vulnerable groups get access to financial resources, support people working in the care economy, and creating more incentives for collaboration, transparency, and good behavior through the blockchain technology.
Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
The data revolution is the unprecedented increase in the volume and types of data—and the subsequent demand for them—thanks to the ongoing yet uneven proliferation of new technologies. We need data to formulate sustainable development policies. But it requires that we collect accurate data and use this evidence to inform policymaking. The use of evidence derived from data in policymaking requires the capability to collect and analyze accurate data and a way to make evidence available to decision-makers.
In this episode, we will speak with Dr. Emmanuel Letouzé, the Director of Data-Pop Alliance, a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, which he founded in 2013 with MIT Media Lab, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, and ODI. This episode will talk about ensuring that vulnerable groups are not left behind in the data revolution and the advancement of new technologies.
Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has helped the world estimate real-time precipitation worldwide since 2005. AI is also being used to inform emergency planning, track typhoons, and manage and prevent floods, droughts, and storms. But AI's use is not only for disaster responses and prevention.
In a 2020 study, a group of researchers found that artificial intelligence can enable the accomplishment of 134 SDG targets across all the goals but it may also inhibit 59 targets. The study showed that society can benefit from AI in reducing extreme poverty, providing quality education, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, and supporting the creation of circular economies and smart cities that efficiently use their resources. However, the researchers also warned that if AI technology and big data are used in regions where ethical scrutiny, transparency, and democratic control are lacking, AI might enable nationalism, hate towards minorities and biased election outcomes.
Our speaker in this episode, Jeanne Lim, Co-founder & CEO of beingAI, former CEO and CMO of Hanson Robotics, and co-developer of Sophia, the human-like robot, is one of the leading experts in pushing for a more compassionate artificial intelligence that can benefit people and our planet. Let’s hear from her.
Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.
Science and technology intricately mesh together with society. You cannot see one without the other. However, transformational changes in science and technology do not always advance sustainable development and reduce inequality. More people have access to smartphones than clean water or clean sanitation in some countries. Artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies are growing, but so has the number of people living in hunger.
In this episode, we speak with the co-chairs of the Science, Technology, and Innovation or STI Forum--Mr. Sergiy Kyslytsya, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations and Mr. Kennedy Godfrey Gastorn, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Tanzania to the United Nations. They both shared their insights on advancing science and technology achievements while also addressing global challenges of inequality, digital divide, inclusion, climate change, to name a few issues, through collaboration among different actors in society. We need novel ways to mitigate emerging risks to scientific research and we also need to further the collaboration among scientists, researchers, and policymakers in an ongoing dialogue in networks of trust and transparency to address the global challenges.
The STI Forum of the United Nations provides this space for scientific cooperation and collaboration. It is also an important space for reflections on global development problems and discussions on how science, technology, and innovation can help contribute to approaches and solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. To know more and to register for the upcoming STI Forum, please go to https://sdgs.un.org/tfm/STIForum2022.
Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit the UN SDG:Learn website at www.unsdglearn.org to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/.