Sharing insights on tackling the world's most challenging environmental issues was top of the agenda for researchers and partners from City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) at the Global Sustainable Development Summit (GSDC) 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 16 to 19 June.

The first CityUHK-led session on day 1 covered the UNESCO-endorsed programme “Fostering Innovation for Resilience and Sustainable Transformation”, or FIRST, aimed at co-developing affordable and scalable technologies that promote environmental sustainability, social equity, and improved quality of life.

A second day 2 session led by CityUHK focused on how marine biodiversity is chronically threatened by habitat degradation, overharvesting, pollution, biological invasion, and climate change. Professor Kenneth Leung Mei-yee, Chair Professor of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Director of CityUHK’s State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, moderated a specially produced discussion involving experts in conservation science, ESG-related matters in global markets, and marine pollution from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Titled “Combating biodiversity loss in our oceans”, the panel explicitly addressed the urgent need for marine protection strategies, habitat restoration and enhanced policy frameworks to safeguard biodiversity with specific reference to the economics and business aspects behind conservation.

Wrapping up this energising session on day 1, Professor Leung said marine and coastal ecosystems are essential to global biodiversity and economic opportunities. “From our discussion, it is clear people across all fields are aware of these pressing issues. Together, we must play our part in protecting our oceans,” he said.

This article originated from CityUHK News Centre.