GEEF

Welcome to the 2025 Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development (GEEF). This year’s theme, “Time for Action: Bridging Divides for a Sustainable Future,” highlights our shared commitment to addressing pressing global challenges. As we celebrate the 140th anniversary of Yonsei University, we are reminded of the pivotal role of education in shaping a sustainable and inclusive world.

Yonsei University, as one of Asia’s leading academic institutions, has long embraced its social mission as part of its core identity. By pioneering cutting-edge education and research such as quantum computing and other advanced sciences, Yonsei continues to make significant contributions for the betterment of humanity. Moreover, GEEF, now in its 8th year, stands as a testament to our sincere commitment to fostering global dialogue and action on sustainable development.

The 2025 GEEF comes at a time when the urgency to address global challenges―such as the climate crisis and widening social divides―has never been greater. This year’s forum holds added significance as it coincides with a milestone anniversary of Yonsei University, prompting us to reflect on how higher education can advance sustainable development. By elevating the voices of women, youth, and marginalized communities, this year’s GEEF aspires to foster inclusive dialogues that inspire transformative change across the global community.

Since its inception in 2018, GEEF has grown into a global platform of remarkable impact, bringing together leaders, scholars, and changemakers. This forum transcends disciplinary and geographical boundaries, uniting diverse perspectives to tackle the most pressing issues of our time. It provides a unique opportunity to exchange innovative ideas, forge meaningful partnerships, and envision a future that is resilient, inclusive, and sustainable.

As we embark on this critical dialogue, I invite each of you to join us in taking meaningful actions to bridge divides and drive progress. Together, let us reaffirm our shared responsibility and seize this moment to make a difference. The time for action is now.

Thank you.

It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the 7th Annual Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development (GEEF). Under the theme “Time for Action: Bridging Divides for a Sustainable Future,” this year’s forum emphasizes the urgency of uniting efforts across sectors to create meaningful change. Together, we can turn challenges into opportunities for a brighter future.

Over the years, GEEF has steadfastly championed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, navigating a path shaped by significant challenges and remarkable opportunities. Each of us, regardless of age, profession, or nationality, holds a vital role in this shared endeavor. No effort is too small. Every action contributes to the momentum needed to achieve our collective aspirations.

As former Secretary-General of the United Nations, I have witnessed the extraordinary power of humanity when guided by a shared purpose. The connections we build and the insights we exchange at GEEF will extend far beyond this forum, driving progress toward a more inclusive and sustainable world.

Sustainable development is not merely an ideal but the pathway to a future of equity, opportunity, and dignity for all. Together, let us embrace this challenge with determination, striving to deliver tangible solutions that leave no one behind.

Thank you for your commitment and contributions. The time to act is now.

I extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for joining the 7th Global Engagement & Empowerment Forum on Sustainable Development (GEEF). Your presence, coupled with your unique perspectives and diverse expertise, enriches our collective pursuit of meaningful progress in the face of global challenges.

Over the years, GEEF has been a platform for weaving together the themes of our previous forums, nurturing collaboration, and catalyzing collective action. Each forum stands as a testament to the transformative power of unity in addressing the critical issues of our era.

This year’s theme, “Time for Action: Bridging Divides for a Sustainable Future,” serves as both a call to action and a rallying cry. It compels us to confront and close the political, social, economic, and environmental gaps that hinder sustainable development. It also reminds us that the time to act is now—together, with urgency and purpose—to build a future that is equitable, inclusive, and resilient for all.

GEEF remains an unparalleled space for global stakeholders to converge, fostering dialogue that inspires bold solutions and actions. I hope that the insights and ideas exchanged here will not only spark transformative change but also deepen our shared commitment to a sustainable future.

Thank you once again for your participation. Together, let us harness this moment to take bold strides toward a better tomorrow