SDG SUMMIT 2025
The theme of this year’s Sustainable Development Goals summit, “Bridging the Gap," highlights the importance of addressing divides and fostering collaboration among changemakers committed to the Sustainable Development Goals. With 2 Keynote Speakers, 7 Summit Talkers, 16 interactive workshops, and over 60 impact fair exhibitors, the SDG summit provides a platform for dialogue on the significance of global challenges.
THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
We kicked off the summit on a positive note with our first keynote speaker, Tom Ng, who is a campaigner and project leader for Greenpeace. He emphasized the importance of addressing climate change and outlined the actions necessary to combat this pressing issue. Tom's speech included numerous examples of past efforts that successfully raised awareness about climate change. His presentation sparked curiosity among the participants, resulting in many questions regarding the sufficiency of our current efforts.
We concluded the summit with another inspiring keynote speech by Jordan Hatter, the director of Help4Refugees. He shed light on the daily struggles that refugees face, focusing on a specific family he had personally assisted during their most challenging moments. The most impactful part of his speech was when he connected live with this family, along with a translator. This allowed the participants to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of what their lives are truly like.
The photo on the right is Tom Ng delivering his incredible keynote speech.
THE SUMMIT TALKERS
Explore the summaries of the inspiring summit talks from the SDG Summit 2025, which cover various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and highlight creative solutions and impactful stories. From fostering an inclusive society to promoting shark conservation, each summary captures the essence of the presentations, offering insights into how we can address current challenges and bridge existing gaps.
KEY MOMENTS OF THE SUMMIT TALKS
Andrea Richey, the Executive Director of the HK Sharks Foundation, encouraged the audience to engage in shark conservation education and develop shark-friendly habits. She works to raise awareness about shark preservation and inspires her audience.
By listening to Naveen Sadhwani, the Founder of Hanuman Charity, along with his daughters, Samiha and Bianca, one can witness the importance of sharing and caring in their inspiring journey and vision as they motivate the community and support the homeless in Hong Kong.
Steph Ng, the founder of Body Banter, gave a talk that amplified voices for a more inclusive society and powerfully motivated the audience to take action. She encouraged everyone to share their ideas, making the session engaging through various interactions.
Sunny Mak, the founder of Sunshine Action, inspired and engaged the audience during his summit talk. As listeners, we gained a deeper understanding of the importance of helping those in poverty, igniting our empathy and motivation to take action.​​
WORKSHOPS
The Neurodiversity workshop included simulations designed to help participants understand how neurodivergent individuals think and feel, using tools like slime to facilitate these experiences. By stepping into the shoes of neurodivergent people, participants became more willing to offer support and take action. Many attendees found the workshop enlightening, as it provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals. One participant felt a strong connection to the workshop, as they personally understood the struggle of masking their neurodiversity in order to gain acceptance. This experience helped them process and manage their overwhelming feelings.​
The Docathon workshop offered interactive sessions that help participants develop their storytelling and filmmaking skills. This experience teached them how to convey their intentions through visual representations that can inspire the community.
The Mighty Oaks workshop focused on bridging the gap between youth and the elderly. Participants gained a deeper understanding of intergenerational practices, emphasizing the importance of connecting young and old for shared joy. In the Feeding HK workshop, participants engaged in discussions, shared experiences, and learned practical tips to make a positive impact at home and in the community, specifically targeting the reduction of food waste.
The SummerBridge workshop fostered a collaborative learning environment that empowers students and inspires lifelong learning, with the goal of bridging the educational gap for underprivileged secondary students in Hong Kong. In the HK Dignity Institute workshop, participants learned effective outreach strategies, received comprehensive resource packs, and developed skills to support vulnerable individuals. Additionally, during the ITS Foundation workshop, participants explored concepts of self-discovery, ideation, and strategic planning for starting and running an organization.
During the HK Shark Foundation workshop, students learned how to set up a crowdfunding platform to raise funds for their favorite charity or innovative project. In the Koru Consulting Limited workshop, participants embraced the power of origami to capture their insights on a paper box and explore the topic of sustainability. At Help4Refugees, Jordan showcased examples of individuals and companies with a clear "why," demonstrating how to turn compassion into action. Students then worked in groups to brainstorm their own examples, making the session engaging and interactive. Additionally, participants in the Handson HK workshop acquired essential skills for drafting social media posts by learning the key steps and components involved. In the Biz Sense workshop, participants learned how to create more
effective collaborative workshops with a focus on poverty. They recognized the importance of community contribution through collaboration with others. Participants particularly enjoyed the Pathfinders workshop, as they found it inspiring to hear the stories of Pathfinders and their efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of mothers. The engaging subject matter of the workshop motivated participants to consider producing videos and short films for their own club to spread its message. In the Teen Animals Da Scientists workshop, teenagers learned how to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) through various initiatives, including butterfly conservation webinars, the Scent of Sustainability project, and science fairs aimed at supporting underprivileged children.
THE IMPACT FAIR
With over 60 exhibitors at the Impact Fair, the summit highlights numerous initiatives and organizations committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG Summit serves not only as a platform for exchanging ideas but also as a catalyst for meaningful change.
Here are some organizations that hosted booths at the Impact Fair and key takeaways for participants:
1. Pathfinders
This organization supports migrant mothers and vulnerable children in Hong Kong, actively working to connect these families with essential resources and services.
2. Neurodiversity
The Neurodiversity Club promotes inclusion and awareness within the autism community, aiming to bridge the gap between neurodiverse individuals and the broader community.
3. Global Minds
GlobalMinds educates students in Hong Kong about global issues through interactive programs. These initiatives help enhance their public speaking and critical thinking skills while fostering a better understanding of important topics.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
STUDENT ATTENDEE
We operated in small groups for the Summit Talk, which allowed us to ask questions more personally, and the summit talk was more engaging, and I understood more things in the Summit Talk.
LIVIA LIU FROM PATHFINDERS
We found it an amazing opportunity to participate in the summit and engage with other NGOs and young leaders. We appreciate the hospitality of the inspiring, thoughtful young leaders. We loved the experience and are looking forward to future events.
STUDENT ATTENDEE
The workshops were very informative while also being interactive. We had many chances to voice our opinions and values, and had the chance to discuss in groups.
The SDG Summit 2025, titled "Bridging the Gap," successfully united changemakers, innovators, and advocates to inspire collaborative action toward a more sustainable and inclusive future. Through impactful keynote speeches, engaging workshops, and meaningful discussions, participants left with new insights, skills, and motivation to advance progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
As we conclude this year's summit, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did, and we thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to welcoming you back next year for another inspiring summit.
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Written by Gloria Guo
Edited by Beatriz Calvo Prieto and Zihan Liu