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BE OPEN at the 2025 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Geneva

On April 2 and 3, 2025, BE OPEN made a significant appearance at the 2025 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development held at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The central topic addressed during the forum was "Promoting Sustainable, Inclusive, Science-Based Solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs." This strategic gathering united representatives from UN member states, international organizations, civil society, universities, youth groups, and the private sector to discuss and explore strategies aimed at accelerating the lagging progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The forum commenced with a high-level political debate entitled "Sustainable, Inclusive, Science-Based Solutions to Accelerate SDG Progress." Key speakers included Amina J. Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of the UNECE, and Ivana Živković, Regional Director of UNDP for Europe and Central Asia. Their messages emphasized the urgency of increased commitment and action required to advance the sustainable agenda.

In recent years, efforts to achieve the SDGs in the UNECE region have faced numerous challenges, including economic uncertainties, political changes, ongoing conflicts, and global crises. According to a recently published UNECE report on SDG progress, only 17% of the 125 measurable goals are expected to be met by 2030. Alarmingly, progress must speed up for 84 of the goals, while the current trends must be reversed for 20 others.

The theme of the forum held particular significance for BE OPEN, as it closely aligns with the foundation's international student competition named "Designing Futures 2050." This initiative primarily aims to inspire young people to create innovative solutions that will contribute to the realistic implementation of sustainability values. It seeks to adapt these solutions to current circumstances and to instill sustainability principles within the approaches and ambitions of future professionals and change leaders.

Elena Baturina, founder of BE OPEN, remarked, "Although smaller in scope, our sustainability development program shares similar goals. We aim to raise awareness among students preparing to enter the workforce about the SDGs and the urgent need for action. We encourage their involvement in updating the action plan on the SDG agenda in light of today’s realities and to take a more significant role in creating a realistic sustainable action plan. We hope that our program will ensure that younger generations approach the 2050 agenda and beyond with knowledge, competence, responsibility, and passion."

BE OPEN continuously supports and rewards youth who develop solutions aimed at transforming inadequate systems and creating better conditions for a fair and ecologically prosperous world. The foundation's commitment to sustainability has never been more urgent, and their initiatives exemplify the crucial role that young people are poised to play in this important field.

Through active participation and engagement in such pivotal forums, BE OPEN highlights its dedication to fostering a sustainable future, empowering the next generation to rise as informed leaders capable of navigating the complex challenges of sustainability in the coming decades.