Agenda
Sustainable Development Forum 2026 – Circularity: The New Reality for Growth
The Sustainable Development Forum – Cambridge Edition 2026 brings together leaders from academia, industry, finance, and policy to explore how circularity is reshaping global competitiveness, economic resilience, and long-term growth.
At a time of geopolitical fragmentation, resource constraints and climate disruption, circular economy principles are moving from ambition to necessity. This Forum focuses on how economies, industries and institutions can transition from high-level commitments to large-scale implementation.
Discussions will address the role of circularity in strengthening industrial strategy, securing critical resources, enabling sustainable finance, and driving innovation across sectors, including finance, food systems, and fashion.
By connecting systems thinking with real-world execution, the Forum aims to provide practical insights into how sustainability can become a driver of competitive advantage in a rapidly changing global economy.
Agenda
08:30 – 09:00 | Registration & Coffee
09:00 – 09:20 | Opening Remarks
From Linear Limits to Circular Advantage
Description: The opening session sets the strategic tone of SDF Cambridge 2026. It frames circularity not as a sustainability add-on, but as a response to systemic economic pressures: climate risk, resource scarcity, geopolitical fragmentation and repeated supply-chain shocks. The session introduces the Forum’s core thesis – that circularity is increasingly a prerequisite for resilience, competitiveness and long-term growth.
Speakers:
Kosta Zivanovic, President & Founder, Sustainable Development Forum
Khal Soufani, Management Practice Professor of Financial Economics and Policy, Director of the EMBA Programmes and Director of the Circular Economy Centre
Professor Gishan Dissanaike, Dean of Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
09:20 – 10:20 | UN High-Level Dialogue – Circularity and the SDGs
Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs:3,6,8,9,17
Description: This session convenes key architects of the Sustainable Development Goals to discuss how circular economy principles can accelerate progress across the SDGs. Exploring real-world applications in energy, food, industry, and finance, the iscussion highlights policy frameworks, investment strategies, and global collaborations that transform circularity from concept to scalable action. By combining historical insights with forward-looking strategies, the conversation illustrates how circular thinking drives sustainable development outcomes worldwide.
Speakers:
Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, Chair in Sustainable Development Law and Policy at the University of Cambridge
H.E. Ambassador David Donoghue, Distinguished Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and a former Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations
H.E. Ambassador Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Moderator: Jennifer Howard-Grenville, Diageo Professor in Organisation Studies, Judge Business School,
University of Cambridge
10:20 – 10:50 | Coffee Break
10:50 – 11:40| Panel I
Circular Economy at Scale: From Concept to Systemic Transformation, SDGs: 8, 9,12
Description: This panel provides the strategic framing for the SDFCAM by examining how circularity is evolving from isolated projects into a systemic economic model. The discussion will focus on resilience, competitiveness and scale, and on how circular principles are increasingly shaping industrial strategy, trade relations and global value chains amid geopolitical fragmentation.
Speakers:
Ben Dixon, Partner, SYSTEMIQ
Munish Datta, Director of Sustainability, Specsavers
Alessandro Sanches Pereira, Adjunct Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Curtin University’s Sustainability Policy Institute (CUSP) and President and Executive Director of Instituto 17
Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ingka Group
Moderator:Juliana Kozak Rogo, Management Practice Associate Professor & Director of the MBA Programme Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
11:40 – 12:30 | Panel
Circular Finance & Capital Allocation (Financing Resilience & Competitive Growth) SDGs: 8, 9, 12, 13, 17
Description: This panel examines the role of finance as a critical enabler of the circular economy. It explores how multilateral development banks, commercial banks and private investors are integrating circularity into capital allocation, risk management and long-term investment strategies. The discussion focuses on what makes circular projects bankable, how risks are assessed, and how capital can be mobilised at scale to support resilient and regenerative growth.
Speakers:
Gianpiero Nacci, Managing Director for Climate Strategy and Delivery, European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development
Quentin Drewell, Senior Director of the Products and Materials Value Chain, The World Business Council for
Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
Rachel Sheila Kan, Managing Director, Circular Earth Ltd
Moderator: Othman Cole, Management Practice Associate Professor (Finance) & Director of the Master of Finance (MFin) Programme
12:30 – 13:30 | Networking Lunch
13:30 – 14:20 | Panel
Circular Food Systems: From Waste Reduction to Food Security, SDGs 3, 8, 9 & 12
Description: Circularity in food systems is critical for climate adaptation, food security and social stability. This panel examines how circular models can reduce waste, increase resource efficiency and strengthen agricultural resilience while supporting sustainable growth across global food value chains.
Speakers:
Richard Ali, Director, Corporate Affairs, Strategy and Stakeholder Relations, Tetra Pak
Dr Francesco Planchenstainer, Global Head of Food Law, Nestlé
Estelle Herszenhorn, Director of Food System Transformation, WRAP
Moderator: Eva Morales – Co-Founder & CSO Hyvegeo
14:20 – 15:10 | Panel
AI, Data & the Circular Economy, Building the Decision Infrastructure, SDGs 8, 9, 12 & 13
Description:This session frames AI and data as the essential decision infrastructure for a functioning circular economy. As
circular models expand across energy, food, industry, and finance, real-time, lifecycle-based decision-making becomes critical. The discussion explores how intelligent systems enable operational, financial, and systemic circularity at scale, supporting resource optimization, risk assessment, investment decisions, and long-term
resilience. Bringing together insights from systems thinking, applied AI, industry execution, and finance, the session shows how data-driven decision-making turns circularity from ambition into a measurable, investable reality.
Speakers:
Carmen Ene, CEO, BNP Paribas 3 Step IT
Athan Fox, CEO, Ever Resource
Emilien Gasc, Counsellor for Climate, Environment & Energy, European Union Delegation to the UK
Moderator: Samsurin Welch – Associate, Circular Economy Centre, University of Cambridge & COO HyveGeo
15:10 – 15:30 | Coffee Break
15:30 – 16:20 | Panel
Fashion Industry & Sustainability: From Trends to Transformation, SDGs 5, 8, 9, 12 & 13
Description: This panel explores how the fashion industry is redefining sustainability, moving beyond trends to systemic
transformation. Experts from design, production, retail, and finance discuss circular business models, responsible sourcing, and the integration of AI and data for sustainable decision-making. The session highlights practical strategies to reduce environmental impact, optimize supply chains, and create long-term value, demonstrating how fashion can balance creativity, profitability, and planetary responsibility.
Speakers:
Anna Foster, Founder, E.L.V. Denim
Kate Walmsley, Co-Founder, Tern Circular
Benedicta Banga, Founder & Chair, Women in Sustainable Luxury
Moderator: Dina Khalifa, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader of MA Luxury Brand Management, Regent’s University
16:20 – 17:05 Fireside Chat
Circularity, Competitiveness & the Future of Europe, SDGs: 8, 9, 12, 17
Description:The fireside chat challenges conventional growth paradigms and explores how circular economic models are reshaping competitiveness, industrial policy and Europe’s position in a changing global economy.
Speakers:
Professor Mario Monti, Former Prime Minister of Italy and Former European Commissioner
Professor Khaled Soufani, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
17:05 – 17:15 | Closing Remarks
17:15 – 18:15 | Drinks Reception