THE Global Sustainable Development Congress 2026 | Institutional Planning and Analytics Office

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was proud to return as the regional co-host (APAC) for the second consecutive year at Times Higher Education (THE) Global Sustainable Development Congress 2026, held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 22-25 June. Under the theme "Collective Action for a Sustainable Future", PolyU delegation took the stage alongside global experts to explore how higher education can drive systemic, real-world sustainable transformation.

At the Leaders’ Panel, Prof. Ben Young, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs), championed a shift toward mission-led, inclusive innovation that bridges research and policy. He introduced PolyU’s holistic framework for embedding sustainability and social responsibility across education, research, partnerships and campus operations, and highlighted our commitment to achieving campus carbon neutrality by 2045.

Prof. Young also moderated a co-hosted panel on decarbonising industrial value chains, which brought together Prof. Erin Cho, Dean of the School of Fashion and Textiles and Prof. Jerry Yan, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings from PolyU, to address systemic barriers in decarbonisation and demonstrate how integrating AI, digital technologies, and circular economy principles can optimise urban energy systems and global supply chains.

Furthering this discussion on the Impact Stage, Prof. Erin Cho advocated reframing the fashion industry to prioritise human well-being and environmental sustainability over consumption. She illustrated how advances in materials science, sustainable textiles, and AI-enabled forecasting can reduce waste and drive ethical practices. Prof. Jerry Yan also engaged with global panellists to discuss deeper university–industry–government collaborations, interdisciplinary training, government–industry alignment, and adaptive collaboration models needed to advance renewable energy, energy storage, and sustainable business models.

Beyond the panel discussions, PolyU engaged global leaders while showcasing the University’s strengths in education, research, innovation and sustainability at the exhibition booth. Through collective efforts, PolyU remains committed to bridging the gap between academic breakthrough and industry practice, mobilising global partnerships for a greener, more resilient tomorrow.