The next GSDR https://sdgs.un.org/gsdr2027#documents will be delivered at the 2027 SDG Summit. By then,  discussions on the post 2030 agenda will be well underway and  the process of developing the 2027 GSDR will likely play an important role in defining the post 2030 agenda so it is important to follow this closely and contribute where there are opportunities. 

 

The Independent Group of Scientists held an informal meeting last Wednesday that was originally scheduled to be in-person only at the UN but due to the weather in NY ended up being virtual only. 

 

The guiding questions were. 

 

1.      How is the GSDR relevant to your work? What roles do you expect the 2027 GSDR to play? 

2.      What are the top three topics you expect the 2027 GSDR to cover, keeping in mind the GSDR's mandate to strengthen science-policy-society interface?   

3.      What are your top three recommendations to the IGS members to make the 2027 GSDR most useful and impactful for advancing sustainable development by 2030 and beyond? 

 

DESA will be preparing a short report but they are going to request a two-page response probably on the guiding questions from each of the participants.  

Any thoughts/comments?

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William Kelly Ph.D., P.E., ENV SP, F.ASCE
MR
St Michaels MD
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Thank you for keeping watch.

Needs thoughts and solutions for reducing construction's embodied carbon.  I'm assuming less energy waste, electrification is already there

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Sarah Simon P.E., M.ASCE
RETIRED
Ipswich MA
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Original Message:
Sent: 2/15/2026 10:58:00 PM
From: Sarah Simon
Subject: RE: 2027 Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR)

Thank you for keeping watch.

Needs thoughts and solutions for reducing construction's embodied carbon.  I'm assuming less energy waste, electrification is already there

------------------------------
Sarah Simon P.E., M.ASCE
RETIRED
Ipswich MA
------------------------------

Great info Bill Kelly. There is a 2022 NAP # 26654 Operationalizing Sustainable Development to Benefit People and the Planet. In it, the authors identified 8 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) actionable steps in 9 Chapters – from Education and Capacity Building to Science, Technology, and Innovation; and Science and Peace.

Also, came across and saw on YouTube a January 2026 Keynote Address of Jeffrey Sachs at Thinkers Forum. The lecture is a captivating presentation. As you know, Prof. Sachs is a Sustainable Economic Development professor at Columbia University.

History of industrialization, global shift of the economic development center and demographic changes – are all there. Six major ongoing transformations continuing to the middle of the present century – identified in areas from Education, Skills and R&D – to Sustainable Industry, Agriculture and Land Use; Cities – including Digital Economy, AI – got his attention.

Although addressed the trends in all these, I am surprised that he did not attempt to relate industrialization to the declining birth rate and demographic changes. As I see it, the correlation between the two is hard to ignore. All industrialized countries including the rapidly developing ones – have been facing declining birth rate; something certainly not sustainable.

The question is what are the plans and policies on the declining birth rate for a sustainable future?

If not seen both – have a look. They are quite interesting.

--------------------

Dr. Dilip K Barua, PhD

Website Links and Profile

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Hi Dr Barua,

 

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I am familiar with the NAP report by Colglazier et al but had not seen the  keynote address by Professor Sachs so I will take a look.

 

Encourage you and your contacts to contribute to the 2027 GSDR.

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William Kelly Ph.D., P.E., ENV SP, F.ASCE
MR
St Michaels MD
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-24-2026 02:01 PM
From: Dilip Barua
Subject: 2027 Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR)

Great info Bill Kelly. There is a 2022 NAP # 26654 Operationalizing Sustainable Development to Benefit People and the Planet. In it, the authors identified 8 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) actionable steps in 9 Chapters – from Education and Capacity Building to Science, Technology, and Innovation; and Science and Peace.

Also, came across and saw on YouTube a January 2026 Keynote Address of Jeffrey Sachs at Thinkers Forum. The lecture is a captivating presentation. As you know, Prof. Sachs is a Sustainable Economic Development professor at Columbia University.

History of industrialization, global shift of the economic development center and demographic changes – are all there. Six major ongoing transformations continuing to the middle of the present century – identified in areas from Education, Skills and R&D – to Sustainable Industry, Agriculture and Land Use; Cities – including Digital Economy, AI – got his attention.

Although addressed the trends in all these, I am surprised that he did not attempt to relate industrialization to the declining birth rate and demographic changes. As I see it, the correlation between the two is hard to ignore. All industrialized countries including the rapidly developing ones – have been facing declining birth rate; something certainly not sustainable.

The question is what are the plans and policies on the declining birth rate for a sustainable future?

If not seen both – have a look. They are quite interesting.

--------------------

Dr. Dilip K Barua, PhD

Website Links and Profile