Vision Statement
“Our biggest challenge in this new century is to take an idea that seems abstract – sustainable development – and turn it into a reality for all the world’s people.” – Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General (1997 – 2006)
Two fundamental statements from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in September 2015 by all Member States of the United Nations, guide our work:
“We are determined to end poverty and hunger, in all their forms and dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfill their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment by protecting the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations”.
“All countries and all stakeholders, acting in collaborative partnership, will implement this plan. We are resolved to free the human race from the tyranny of poverty and want and to heal and secure our planet. We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world on to a sustainable and resilient path. As we embark on this collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind”.
For more than 25 years Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future (SF) has been a bridge between stakeholders of all kinds and the international intergovernmental forums where sustainable development, and in particular the environment and issues related to its good governance are debated, global goals are established, and strategies mapped out. Our work aims to enhance open, accountable, and participatory decision-making and good governance for sustainable development through the continuous involvement and participation of stakeholders in these forums, and in the action that flows from their work. Read More.
A Pocket Guide to Environment and Sustainable Development Governance – Third Edition
Informed by stakeholder consultations conducted by Stakeholder Forum’s delegation at the Seventh Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), and produced by SF in partnership with the Civil Society Unit of UNEP and with the support of the European Commission, A Pocket Guide to Environment and Sustainable Development Governance – Third Edition is now available for download as a consolidated book, an introduction and 12 chapters.
You can also view and download the individual chapters of the Pocket Guide as PDF files, and detailed summaries of the eight environmental SDGs highlighted in A Primer for Stakeholders to Prepare for the 2027 Review of the SDGs, by visiting their respective web portals via the links just below.
A Pocket Guide to Environment and Sustainable Development Governance – Third Edition
A Primer for Stakeholders to Prepare for the 2027 Review of the SDGs
Enhance Civil Society and Other Stakeholder Engagement at UNEA-7 and in the 2027 Review of the 2030 Agenda – Stakeholder Forum’s Newest Project
December 05, 2025 – The Seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) is the basis for SF’s newest initiative, to ‘Enhance Civil Society and Other Stakeholder Engagement at UNEA7 and in the 2027 Review of the 2030 Agenda.’ It is being delivered in partnership with the Civil Society Unit of UNEP and with the support of the European Union. You can find detailed information about it here, including how stakeholders can contribute to the 2027 Review of the 2030 Agenda.
Ingeborg Niestroy is Stakeholder Forum’s newest Fellow
June 05, 2025 – Stakeholder Forum Director Irena Zubcevic is pleased to announce that Dr. Ingeborg Niestroy has become Stakeholder Forum’s newest Fellow. SF Fellow and Associates are experts in the field of sustainable development with 5 to 10 years – or more – of experience. They work with us to develop partnerships and programs that can promote SF’s mission and work.
Inge has worked for over 20 years in environmental policy and governance for sustainable development, at the interface of science, policy, and society, at the national, subnational, and EU levels, in Europe and internationally. Read more about Inge here.
Louis Meuleman is Stakeholder Forum’s New Chairperson
June 04, 2025 – Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future is pleased to announce that Louis Meuleman, a highly respected and effective former public manager on environmental sustainability at the subnational, national, and EU level, is the organization’s new Chairperson, effective 1 June 2025.
The SF Board, Fellows, and Associates feel incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Meuleman work with us in the coming years. Those sentiments were echoed by SF Director Irena Zubčević, who, when asked to comment on Dr. Meuleman’s new role, said, “By leveraging his wealth of experience, his enthusiasm, and passion for stakeholder engagement, Louis’ influence will increase Stakeholder Forum’s capacity to drive sustainability initiatives forward.” Read more about it here.
Two publications were launched by Stakeholder Forum Fellows in November and early December
Education and Learning for a Sustainable Future: 50 Yrs of Learning for Environment and Change, expanded on the Legacy Paper on the same subject authored by Thomas Macintyre, Daniella Tilbury, an SF Fellow, and Arjen Wals originally published in the People’s Environment Narrative, a product of the Stakeholder Forum’s Towards Stockholm+50 project.
Financing for the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement: The UN Ecosystem of Initiatives on Private Sector Finance 2024, has been updated by SF Fellow Felix Dodds and SF Associate Dr. Ahmed Rachid (AR) El-Khattabi.
Read more about these publications, and download them, here.
July 18th, 2025 – The Friends of Governance for Sustainable Development announced the release of Volume 8: SDG 16 and its Interlinkages with other SDGs – Challenges and Opportunities.
Felix Dodds, Secretary of the Friends of Governance for Sustainable Development and a former Director of Research and Development of Multilateral Policies and International Affairs at the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainable Solutions Service (RMWSSS) at Arizona State University, and a Fellow at Stakeholder Forum, coordinated the launch of the publication through his publishing company New World Frontiers.
Read more about this book, and download a free PDF copy, here.
Video Recordings and Audio Podcasts of SF’s Countdown to the 2023 SDG Summit are Now Available to View or Listen to
Webinars: Stakeholder Forum’s ‘Countdown to the UN SDG Summit 2023’ is a series of eight webinars held in the run-up to the September 2023 SDG Summit and the Summit of the Future in 2024. Having commenced in November 2022 and concluding in June 2023, the series explores where we are in SDG implementation, identifies transformative actions for change, and assesses what kind of disruptions they might create together with the benefits for those goals under review and for other goals with which there are interlinkages, with an emphasis on strengthening the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda. You can find video recordings and audio podcasts of all eight webinars, here.
Podcasts: Stakeholder Forum Podcasts offer the opportunity to listen to the audio versions of webinars and audio-only podcasts produced in the course of our work over the years. Please feel free to listen to them from your computer, tablet, or on the go from your mobile phone or car. Listen to our newest series of podcasts from the Countdown to the UN SDG Summit 2023 Webinar Series, and our series of 7 podcasts from our recent Towards Stockholm+50 project with UNEP.