GELA Flagship Summit Series · Since 2024

Global Sustainability Summit

Each year at Columbia University's Low Memorial Library, and now in Beijing, the Summit brings together leaders from academia, industry, finance and global institutions to shape what comes next for sustainable development.

Flagship VenueLow Memorial Library, Columbia University
Global CitiesNew York · Beijing
Convened ByGlobal ESG Leadership Association
500+
Attendees
70+
Speakers
30+
Countries
4
Editions Since 2024
About the Summit

A global stage for the ideas shaping a sustainable century.

The Global Sustainability Summit is GELA's flagship platform. GELA launched it with its member organizations, strategic partners and supporting institutions to advance the global sustainability agenda, build collaboration across sectors and develop the next generation of international leaders.

Held every year since 2024, the Summit has grown from its flagship gathering at Columbia University in New York into an international series with an extended platform in Beijing. It brings together leaders from international organizations, leading universities, and the technology, finance and policy worlds.

One of GELA's most important windows onto its international network, academic resources and industry partnerships.
Summit entrance at Low Memorial Library
Low Memorial Library · Columbia University
Summit Film

Inside the Summit

One minute inside the Rotunda: the stage, the speakers, and the people behind the conversation.

Columbia Global Sustainability Summit · Low Memorial Library
Thematic Pillars

Four frontiers.
One shared future.

The Summit's programming is organized around four themes where technology, capital and policy meet. Climate action, social innovation and the future of industry run through all four.

01

AI & a Sustainable Future

How artificial intelligence can speed up climate solutions, improve resource efficiency and shape a more inclusive economy.

02

Biomedicine & Life Sciences

New directions in health, longevity and the life sciences, and how they connect to wellbeing on a global scale.

03

Finance & Sustainable Value

ESG investing, impact capital and the financial structures that put money behind long-term value.

04

Global Governance & Public Policy

International cooperation, regulation and the institutions needed for a fast-changing world.

2026 Columbia Edition

Reprogramming the Future: A New Paradigm for Global Progress

The 2026 Summit gathered leading scholars, industry executives, policymakers and young leaders from top universities, international organizations, technology companies and investment firms. Over one day, they discussed artificial intelligence, biomedical innovation, sustainable finance and the future of global governance.

DateApril 5, 2026 · Sunday
VenueLow Memorial Library Rotunda
CityColumbia University, New York
ParallelBeijing Summit 2026
View the 2026 Summit →
The Series

Summit Editions

From one gathering at Columbia to an international series, each edition builds on the last.

Summit Formats

From keynote stage to closed-door dialogue.

The program mixes public thought leadership with smaller conversations where partnerships get started.

  • 01Keynote Speeches
  • 02High-Level Panels
  • 03Closed-Door Exchanges
  • 04Youth Leadership Dialogues
  • 05Industry Showcases
  • 06International Partnerships
Moments

Highlights from Past Summits

Be Part of the Next Summit

Shape the conversation with us.

We are building the next edition with partners, speakers and attendees from around the world. Tell us how you'd like to take part.

2026 Columbia Global Sustainability Summit

The 2026 Columbia Global Sustainability Summit will take place on April 5, 2026 (Sunday) at the Low Memorial Library (Rotunda), Columbia University, New York.

Under the theme “Reprogramming the Future: A New Paradigm for Global Progress,” the Summit convenes leading scholars, industry executives, policymakers, and emerging global leaders from top universities, international organizations, technology firms, and investment institutions. Together, they will explore critical topics including artificial intelligence, biomedical innovation, sustainable finance, and the future of global governance.

Building on the success of previous years, the Summit continues to serve as a premier platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, cross-sector collaboration, and the advancement of sustainable development in an era of rapid technological transformation.

Event Date: April 5, 2026 (Sunday)
Location: Low Memorial Library, Columbia University, New York

Registration

Aerial nighttime view of Columbia University campus with Manhattan skyline in the background

GELA Global Sustainability Summit Series

Global Sustainability Summit is the global flagship summit platform initiated by the Global ESG Leadership Association (GELA) and organized by GELA system members, together with strategic partners and supporting institutions. As a core annual platform within GELA’s global ecosystem, the Summit is dedicated to advancing the global sustainability agenda, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and cultivating the next generation of international leadership.

Since its launch in 2024, the Global Sustainability Summit has been held annually and has grown into an expanding international summit series, with its flagship convening at Columbia University in New York and extended platforms in key global cities such as Beijing. The Summit brings together leaders from international organizations, world-class universities, industry, technology, finance, investment, policy, philanthropy, and youth innovation to explore critical topics including artificial intelligence, life sciences, sustainable finance, global governance, climate action, social innovation, and the future of industries.

Through keynote speeches, high-level panel discussions, closed-door exchanges, youth leadership dialogues, industry showcases, and international partnership initiatives, the Global Sustainability Summit serves as a premier platform for thought leadership, strategic collaboration, and global action. It has become one of GELA’s most important windows to demonstrate its international network, institutional capacity, academic resources, industry partnerships, and global public influence, continuing to strengthen its role as a distinctive and impactful summit brand in the field of sustainable development.

2026 Columbia University Global Sustainability Summit

2026 Global Sustainability Summit - Beijing Summit

Audience attending the 2026 Global Sustainability Summit in a Columbia Global lecture hall

2025 Columbia University Global Sustainability Summit

2024 Columbia University Global Sustainability Summit

Highlights of All Previous Global Sustainability Summits

Crowd of people socializing at a formal indoor event or reception in a grand hall with tall columns and high ceilings.
A large group of people seated in chairs in a conference room, attentively listening to a presentation, with a blue display screen at the front.
Interior of a grand historic building with high ceilings, large arched windows, gold curtains, and rows of chairs arranged for an event or presentation, with a few people setting up or preparing.
A man in a dark blue suit and light blue shirt speaking at a wooden podium labeled 'Columbia University, in the City of New York' during a formal event, with an audience seated in front and yellow curtains behind him.
An elderly man with white hair speaking at a wooden podium at Columbia University, with a blue screen behind him, wearing a dark blazer and holding a water bottle.
A large banquet hall filled with round tables of people attending a conference or summit, with a speaker on stage and a large screen displaying the event's title, 'CGELA GLOBAL ESG SUMMIT'.