Meeting the UN's SDGs takes new leadership — here's how it should look

As we stand at the crossroads of global challenges and unprecedented opportunities, the future of leadership is being redefined. The path to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 demands a new type of leader — one who can navigate complexity, foster collaboration and bridge divides in an increasingly polarized world.

With these challenges in mind — and the opportunity on the table to forge a new, sustainable and equitable world — the World Economic Forum's Sustainable Development Impact Meetings could not be more important.

Drawing from their own experiences, three Young Global Leaders (YGL) have shared the transformative approaches they take that are already turning ambitious SDGs into tangible results.

Their stories and experiences showcase the kind of forward-thinking leadership that will drive discussions and inspire action at the meetings.

YGL Wesley Spindler, Managing Director, Global Sustainability Leadership, Accenture, argues that the future of leadership lies in fostering innovative collaborations amongst diverse stakeholders.

She said: “Given the large number of complex challenges business leaders face today, it is critical that we find new, innovative ways to work collaboratively to achieve the SDGs.”

This collaborative approach is exemplified by initiatives that Wesley is engaged in, like The Circulars Acceleration Network, which brings together diverse stakeholders including corporates, startups, non-profits and governments. By creating a platform for these unlikely partners to converge, the network facilitates the rapid design and testing of circular solutions and cutting-edge technologies. The power of such collaborations lies in their ability to “connect societal, environmental and business value,” explains Spindler. This holistic approach ensures that solutions are not only sustainable but also economically viable, increasing their chances of long-term success and widespread adoption.

According to YGL Nicolas Wertheimer, the future of leadership is increasingly data-driven, particularly when addressing critical issues like water security. Wertheimer argues that “technology and AI play a vital role in this process, standardizing how we visualize data, enhancing our understanding of water risk, measuring the true impact of our water initiatives and streamlining efforts.”

This approach is exemplified by Waterplan, a startup that leverages AI to consolidate, structure and analyze local water risk data. By partnering with Fortune 500 companies and local implementation partners, Waterplan demonstrates how technology and data can facilitate collective action and align interests between different sectors.

This collaborative, data-driven approach not only enhances local data quality but also helps “reduce the potential financial impact of water risk for the business,” Wertheimer adds, while also safeguarding local ecosystems.

YGL Alloysius Attah, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Farmerline, argues that the future of leadership must be inclusive and address global challenges with solutions that empower those at the grassroots level. This is particularly crucial in the agricultural sector, which faces the dual challenge of increasing production to feed a growing population while reducing its environmental impact.

He said: “In an increasingly polarized world, bridging divides requires addressing urgent, shared challenges with inclusive solutions.”

Attah’s organization, Farmerline, says it is building a coalition to “drive flexible financing that empowers farmers to adopt regenerative practices, crucial for reducing the 19% of global greenhouse gases released from how we grow food today.”

However, that financial support alone is insufficient. Attah said: “Farmers also need continuous education and reminders in their native languages to gain a deeper understanding and effectively implement these practices.” This holistic approach combines finance with education, ensuring that farmers have both the resources and knowledge to lead sustainable agricultural transformation. Farmerline’s ambitious goal to accelerate at least $3 billion in climate financing to 15 million farmers and agribusinesses over the next decade demonstrates the scale of impact that inclusive, education-focused leadership can achieve.

These Young Global Leaders exemplify the innovative, collaborative and inclusive leadership needed to achieve the SDGs by 2030. Their approaches — from fostering unlikely partnerships and leveraging AI to empowering farmers — demonstrate how complex global challenges can be addressed with creativity and determination. And in doing so, we as a collective can achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and forge a peaceful and prosperous world.