United Nations Headquarters, New York — The SDG Leaders Luncheon returned to UN Headquarters at a critical moment. A decade after the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, progress across the agenda remains slow, and in some areas the world is sliding backward. Against this backdrop, SDG News convened its flagship gathering during the 80th Session of the General Assembly to spotlight the visionary leadership, proven partnerships, and scalable solutions the world urgently needs.
Eighty leaders from government, business, philanthropy, and civil society were recognized as “SDG Leaders” for advancing resilience, prosperity, and sustainable development.
The event opened with remarks from SDG News Chairman Amir Dossal, whose call to elevate leadership and scale solutions set the tone for the day. The luncheon was co-chaired by Minister Juan Carlos Navarro, Panama’s Minister of Environment, and Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua, Speaker of Parliament for the Kingdom of Tonga, who reminded participants that frontline nations are not just vulnerable to today’s crises but are also shaping the global frameworks needed to overcome them.
“Returning here, ten years after watching the SDGs come to life, is a privilege,” reflected Sarah Nelson, Global Lead Director for Nature and Biodiversity at KPMG International. “The SDGs remain our most comprehensive framework for tackling global challenges. Progress is slow, but change is happening.”
Spotlighting Bold Leadership
At the heart of the luncheon was the 2025 SDG Leader Awards, which recognized outstanding contributions from the public sector, private sector, and civil society.
Public Sector: The Government of Panama
Panama was honored for its Nature Pledge, a groundbreaking framework that unites the UN conventions on climate, biodiversity, and desertification. The pledge represents an ambitious attempt to replace fragmented action with a cohesive strategy that reflects the interconnected reality of today’s crises.
Accepting the award, Minister Navarro made clear Panama’s intent to set a precedent. “Our future depends on recognizing the links between climate, nature, and land, and acting on them with urgency,” he said.
Beyond policy, Panama has positioned itself as a diplomatic bridge-builder, rallying governments, multilateral institutions, and private investors to replicate its model. By linking the health of ecosystems to economic resilience, the Nature Pledge is emerging as both a domestic blueprint and a global standard for integrated environmental action.
Private Sector: Peace Through Trade Blockchain (PTT)
Peace Through Trade Blockchain (PTT) was recognized as the private-sector honoree for pioneering a blockchain model grounded in regulation, transparency, and sustainability.
Founding Partners Erai and Kyleigha Beckmann accepted the award at UN Headquarters, with Erai Beckmann also joining a fireside chat to outline how PTT is redefining the future of finance. Unlike many blockchain ventures that emerged with little regard for governance or environmental impact, PTT has built its platform with governments in mind. As one of the world’s most energy-efficient Proof-of-Work blockchains, enhanced through AI-driven efficiency gains, it offers secure digital infrastructure for nations seeking resilient and climate-aligned economies.
Reflecting on their mission, Erai and Kyleigha Beckmann said, “We believe blockchain and Web3 represent the next step in our collective evolution. By using these technologies as a bridge through trade, we can create shared prosperity and a pathway to peace — not through competition, but through collaboration and trust. And because Peace Through Trade is designed to be sustainable, it uplifts both humanity and the planet we share.”
By coupling innovation with accountability, PTT is carving out a role as a trusted partner to governments and international institutions. Its recognition at the UN underscored not only its technological promise but also its broader mission: advancing World Peace Through Trade.
Civil Society: EarthX
EarthX, the Dallas-based nonprofit, was honored for nearly 15 years of bridging divides to advance environmental solutions.
Founder Trammell S. Crow, one of America’s most influential environmental philanthropists, accepted the award. “Protecting the future of our planet depends on our willingness to cross divides — between parties, industries, and worldviews,” he said. “When we meet each other with humility and curiosity, we discover solutions no side could achieve alone.”
From sparking bipartisan Congressional caucuses through policy debates to convening leaders across industrial and political silos, EarthX has built a reputation for forging unlikely alliances. Whether in the formal setting of its annual conference at the Hilton Anatole or in the more personal atmosphere of after-parties hosted at Crow’s home, EarthX creates spaces where people connect on a human level, uncover shared values, and build trust.
In doing so, EarthX has become more than a forum for ideas — it has become a catalyst for solutions.
Vision for the Future 2025 — Amplifying Leadership and Action
During the luncheon, Amir Dossal highlighted the newly released digital publication Vision for the Future 2025, which amplifies the voices of 25 leaders driving meaningful impact and achieving tangible progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The publication serves as both inspiration and instruction—showcasing how visionaries across sectors are translating ambition into measurable results.
In his remarks, Dossal underscored the need for concrete, collaborative action to deliver on global commitments and invited several contributors to join him on stage, recognizing their leadership and contributions to this shared vision. His message was clear: it is not enough to celebrate progress—we must accelerate it.
From Recognition to Action
The awards highlighted a wider truth: while the SDGs remain behind schedule, solutions exist, and bold leadership is showing how they can be scaled.
“What makes these awards so powerful is the diversity of leadership they highlight,” said Dan Lavowitz, CEO of GIX, a new U.S. equity exchange for companies committed to driving value through sustainability. “From sovereign governments like Panama to blockchain innovators and civil society bridge-builders, they show that the SDGs are not abstract. They are a challenge to innovate, collaborate, and act.”
Jan-Hendrik Gnändiger, Global & EMA ESG Reporting Advisory Lead for KPMG, stressed that the private sector’s role must be transformative. “Sustainability drives both risk and opportunity for companies, demanding integration into core business performance,” he noted. “This requires transparent, comparable reporting across energy and emissions, nature and biodiversity, circularity, and social value.”
Dan Thomas, Chief Communications Officer of the UN Global Compact, added that recognition at this moment is vital. “With just five years left, the energy and commitment we see here is essential,” he said. “These awards provide well deserved recognition for leaders building a world where no one gets left behind.”
The Power of SDG News
The luncheon was more than a ceremony. Ministers sat alongside technologists. Philanthropists shared insights with civil society leaders. Executives forged ideas with government officials. In real time, connections were made across sectors and continents — the kind of partnerships that turn ambition into action.
That is the power of SDG News. At a time when the world risks losing momentum, our mission is to inform and inspire, but also to connect leaders across sectors and regions to accelerate solutions that can be scaled.
As the world enters the final stretch toward 2030, the challenges are undeniable, but so is the resolve. The leaders honored this year remind us that hope is not naïve, it is essential. And when matched with courage, creativity, and collaboration, it can still deliver the future envisioned ten years ago.
We thank all of our honorees, partners, and participants whose leadership and collaboration continue to inspire action and keep the promise of the SDGs alive.
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