Let’s lead global change together.
Canada’s leading national platform for collaborating and accelerating progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Bringing together intergenerational Indigenous Peoples, youth, academia, government, business, and community leaders to turn global goals into local action and tackle Canada’s toughest sustainability challenges.
Explore the past 2026 program.
2026 CONFERENCE THEME
Mobilizing local action for global impact.
Explore the 2026 program below.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT HAPPENED
The conference featured:
- Opening remarks by Parliamentary Secretary Leslie Church (in-person) and Anacláudia Rossback, economist and Executive Director of UN-Habitat (video)
- Keynote presentations by The Honourable Bob Rae, Canada’s 25th Ambassador to the United Nations and Danika Littlechild, UNESCO Research Chair in Biodiversity, Conservation and Indigenous Health and Well-Being
- Plenary sessions, panel discussions, immersive tracks, breakout sessions and workshops on topics like business solutions, future-focused education, community leadership, and SDG innovation
- For in-person attendees: Indigenous land-based learning experiences to Kananaskis, Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, or on-Campus
- Student-led programming featuring a post-secondary Water Innovation Challenge, a national dialogue capturing youth priorities for the SDGs, and a poster session (in person), alongside other youth-focused activities
- …and more!
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
BOB RAE
Canada’s 25th Ambassador to the United Nation
Brenda gunn
Professor Robson Hall Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba
DAY 2 EXPERIENCE
LAND-BASED LEARNING EXCHANGES
Participants connected with the land, its stories, history, teachings, and living cultures through these Indigenous land-learning exchanges.
Youth-Led Programming
Empowered diverse and youth voices in addressing sustainability challenges to push the SDGs ahead. This year, SDSN Canada’s youth steering committee partnered with various organizations to host the following youth-focused programs.
Explore the youth programming for 2026.
Open to all youth and post-secondary students — included with conference ticket or can be purchased separately.
Shape Canada’s 2027 UN sustainability report.
Join our youth-led panel and workshop to share your feedback on the 2030 Agenda.
In 2027, Canada will present it’s third Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The review will outline Canada’s progress, lessons learned and challenges in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at home and abroad since Canada’s second Voluntary National Review in 2023.
Connect, collaborate, and create change today.
Alberta is facing increasing water uncertainty driven by climate change, population growth, and competing demands across communities, ecosystems, and the economy.
Addressing these challenges requires bringing together different forms of knowledge and experience including technical expertise, policy perspectives, community knowledge, and lived experience.
Vision to Action
The SDGs are not just aspirational; they are actionable now, especially at the local level. Together, we can accelerate progress toward a sustainable future.
Collaboration for Impact
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires an all-of-society approach. This conference is a space for shared learning, partnership and action.
Achieving Global Change
Canadian communities are leading the way with innovative solutions to global sustainability. We showcase practical strategies and scalable success stories.
PAST CONFERENCES
2025 REPORT
In 2025, the conference aimed to capture diverse perspectives through its overarching theme, Collective Action for a Sustainable Future: Collaboration Across Generations, Sectors, and Knowledge Systems.
Learn more about last year’s conference!
Past events and conference reports:
