Engagement Opportunities in the lead up to WSSD2 2025

Host side events and stakeholder discussions

Heads of State component - Organized by UNESCO, in partnership with the African Union (AU) and the Government of Angola under the theme “Honoring the Past, Valuing Achievements, and Building the Africa We Want,” the Biennale aligns with the African Union’s 2025 theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.”

organize outreach activities and share research insights emphasizing the critical role of care in achieving social development. These efforts will contribute to the WSSD by promoting dialogue and action on genderinclusive policies for sustainable progress.

The event aims to advance the universal right to culture by convening 194 Member States and key stakeholders to shape the global cultural agenda and to promote equitable, inclusive sustainable development. Recognizing that unequal access to culture is a key component of the multifaceted nature of inequalities, the Conference will aim to reinvigorate policy commitments to cultural rights in view of catalyzing social inclusion processes. Concrete policy commitments by Member States to enhance social inclusion through culture can meaningfully contribute to the WSSD2.

Conference and music concerts towards sustainable development.

The global event brings together 2,000 representatives from 759 biosphere reserves, high-level government representatives, academia, local communities and other network members, and will endorse a new 10-year strategic action plan. Discussions will include thematic areas – such as the integration of conservation and sustainable development that are in alignment with the WSSD2 key themes.

Organise or co-convene side events

The purpose of this Ad-hoc group is to promote the establishment of favorable conditions for digital empowerment, freedom of expression, media development, access to information and language technology, alongside artistic creation in indigenous languages.

Side-event

Organize a side event addressing women’s pathways to social development

Thematic component - Organized by UNESCO, in partnership with the African Union (AU) and the Government of Angola under the theme “Honoring the Past, Valuing Achievements, and Building the Africa We Want,” the Biennale aligns with the African Union’s 2025 theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.”

Online expert group meetings have been carried out in the Africa, Asia, LAC regions and Nordic countries reaching over 80 experts to identify regional priorities and perspectives.  A brief for each consultation has been developed and disseminated widely to inform the WSSD consultations. Link to video broadcasts insights shared at the 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development in February 2025.

UNRISD to organize or co-convene side events to foster dialogue among thought leaders, policymakers, and activists. The event(s) will serve as a platform to highlight research findings and actionable recommendations stemming from UNRISD’s preparatory work.

The forum will address ethical considerations surrounding AI, contributing insights for policy development at the WSSD2

UNRISD will participate in promoting regional social development challenges.