Rethinking Development in an Age of Disruption

2 - 5 November 2026| Islamabad, Pakistan
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About the Conference

The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) will be hosting its 29th Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) from 2 – 5 November 2026 in Islamabad, Pakistan.  

The SDC series has been a cornerstone of SDPI’s work since 1995, evolving into one of Asia’s premier forums for advancing sustainable development bringing together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society from around the world for evidence-based dialogue, research exchange and policy engagement. Over the years, each annual edition has tackled critical issues — from green economics and governance to digitalisation, peace, resilience, and responses to global crises like COVID19 — producing peer-reviewed anthologies and actionable insights that shape debates and policy thinking on sustainable development across the region and beyond. 

The 29th SDC on “Rethinking Development in an Age of Disruption” is being convened at a moment of profound global uncertainty. The convergence of geopolitical conflict, climate shocks, economic fragmentation, technological transformation, and erosion of multilateral cooperation is driving a fundamental reconfiguration of the development landscape that extends beyond implementation challenges to fundamental questions of purpose, governance, collective action and

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Conference Resources

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Meet The Speakers

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Key Themes

Economic systems are being reshaped by geopolitical fragmentation, debt pressures, technological transformation, and changing patterns of trade and investment. The Conference explores how resilient economies strengthen economic security, reform development finance, foster innovation, and create sustainable pathways for growth in an increasingly uncertain and interconnected global landscape.

Climate change, ecosystem degradation, and resource insecurity are intensifying risks across societies. The Conference examines clean energy transitions, climate adaptation, stewardship of shared natural resources, and emerging opportunities such as the heat economy to advance environmental sustainability through innovation, regional cooperation, and evidence-based policy solutions.

Sustainable development ultimately depends on people, institutions, and inclusive opportunities. The Conference highlights equitable access to health, education, technology, skills, and social protection while promoting ethical leadership, institutional capacity, and human-centred development to ensure resilience, well-being, and shared prosperity in an era of disruption.

4th Sustainability Investment Expo (SIE)

The global development landscape is undergoing a profound transformation as climate crises, resource scarcity, technological disruption, biodiversity loss, demographic shifts and geopolitical uncertainty are redefining how countries pursue economic growth, resilience and sustainable development. Simultaneously, governments are confronted with shrinking fiscal space while the financing gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) continues to widen, with the 2030 Agenda remaining largely unfulfilled.

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