The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. Adopted by United Nations Member States in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
The Decade of Action, launched by the UN Secretary-General at the beginning of 2020, right before the pandemic crisis, calls for all national and local governments, civil society organizations and the private sector to accelerate sustainable solutions to the world’s major challenges from poverty and gender to climate change, inequality and closing the finance gap.
Discover the SDGs - To Power the Decade of Action delivers a virtual experience to advance knowledge and strengthen engagement from the global fashion industry to further support the Decade of Action to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals. As this year marks a critical period to advance a shared vision, Discover the SDGs online exhibit will feature informational tools about each of the Goals and fashion sector focused on-demand discussions with industry leaders, United Nations representatives and advocates, exploring the intersection of the SDGs and fashion business including climate action, gender equality, industry innovation, digitisation, life of land and responsible production and consumption.
Given its global reach, the fashion industry is uniquely positioned to increase collaboration and engagement around the SDGs. With the pervasiveness of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has seen unparalleled disruption to its operations and supply chains. As the fashion sector revises and adapts priorities, now is the time to ensure that this disruption can serve as the catalyst for a new sustainable era for all stakeholders involved.
Watch on-demand remarks, panels and fireside discussions from United Nations key representatives and advocates, leading fashion industry figures and sustainability experts.
Learn how to implement practical actions to shift business models towards a more sustainable economy to address the world’s most pressing social, economic and environmental issues.
Browse interactive digital booths to learn about each of the Sustainable Development Goals with useful facts, figures, infographics, videos and artwork.
Save and download documents, reports and information about the Sustainable Development Goals from United Nations agencies, initiatives, and industry leaders.
The Conscious Fashion Campaign, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, co-creates high-visibility global fashion event partnerships to advance the Decade of Action to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The campaign was established in 2019 to inspire innovative ideas, connect industry leaders, enable new partnerships, and enact sustainable change. Through advocacy, education, and partnership development; the Conscious Fashion Campaign supports solutions for sustainable innovation in the Decade of Action. The Conscious Fashion Campaign and Network partners collectively represent over $4.7 billion revenue and 14,700 employees, 800 annual events in 40 countries attracting 11.9 million attendees and 136,000 exhibiting businesses.
The United Nations Office for Partnerships serves as a connector for co-creating collaborations and provides a platform for effective engagement of public and private sector stakeholders with the United Nations development system to advance the Decade of Action to Deliver the Sustainable Development Goals.
Director
Artistic Milliner
Executive Director and Secretary General
The Fashion Pact
Founder
Conscious Fashion Campaign
CEO & Co-Founder
Queen of Raw
Director, Program Development and Partnerships, Apparel and Home Goods
Fair Trade USA
CEO
Messe Frankfurt
Chief of Office
United Nations Office for Partnerships
Director Global Business Development Apparel
Lenzing
Sustainability Editor
Vogue Business / Conde Nast
Sustainability Editor
Vogue Global Network
Group Sustainability Officer
ITL
Senior Vice President Impact
Vice Media
Founder and Creative Director
Zero + Maria Cornejo
Reporter - Executive Lifestyle
Business Insider
Vice President, Innovation & Sustainability
Allbirds
Co-Founder
Fashinnovation Inc.
Designer & Founder
Gabriela Hearst
Director
Hirdaramani Apparel
Acting Executive Director
United Nations Office for Partnerships
Chief Commercial Officer
Lenzing Group
Founder and Executive Director
Climate Cardinals
Deputy Director Vogue Italia - Head of Vogue Talents - International Brand Ambassador Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana
CEO
CFDA
Project Leader
BCG
Business reporter
BBC
Editor
Drapers
Consultant
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe / Food and Agriculture Organization
Chief Commercial Officer
Arch & Hook
Senior Business Reporter, Strategic Content Development
Women's Wear Daily
Creative Director, Anyango Mpinga and and Founder
Free As A Human Foundation
Former VP Creative Director Global Retail
Nike
Founder, Kingpins Show & Transformers Foundation
Head - Partnerships, Policy, and Communications Unit
United Nations Capital Development Fund
Founder, Creative Director
Hope for Flowers
Chief Executive
British Fashion Council
Influncer/Consultant
2BG Consulting
Show Director Neonyt and Director Marketing-Communications
Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH
VP, Environmental Sustainability & Product Stewardship
PVH Corp.
Global Editor, CNN Style
CNN
Chief
UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women
Founder & CEO
Raw Assembly
Member of the Swarovski Executive Board and Chairperson of the Swarovski Foundation
Swarovski
Chief of Outreach and Partnerships Branch
UN DESA Division for SDGs
Creative Director
Collina Strada
Director of Sales, Marketing, R&D and Product Development
ORTA
Sustainability Programme Director
Kering
Founder
Interwoven
Managing Director and Partner, Global Head of Luxury
BCG
Sectors Engagement in Climate Action, Lead
UN Climate Change
SPECIAL MESSAGE
TRANSFORMING THE FASHION INDUSTRY FOR THE DECADE OF ACTION
Focusing on the responsibilities and the role the fashion industry plays in ushering in the Decade of Action, this discussion will explore the transformational innovations required of the industry as it contributes toward the deliverance of the Sustainable Development Goals.
EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW - FASHION INDUSTRY CHARTER FOR CLIMATE ACTION
Completed in 2018, the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action highlights industry-wide commitments toward reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. This discussion will provide a detailed look at the specific goals of the Charter-- including a decarbonization pathway, GHG emission reduction, and policy engagement-- as well as insights into current industry progress being made in relation to these goals.
ROUNDTABLE SUSTAINABILITY BY DESIGN: RETHINKING NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Through our conversation with various industry leaders we’ll be discussing how New York Fashion Week, and fashion events alike, can design and implement responsible marketing, operation, and logistics that are mindful of social, economic, and environmental impact.
GENDER EQUITY - THE NEW FASHION ERA
As one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, gender equality in all industries is a key focus of the upcoming Decade of Action. This panel will analyze gender equity within the fashion, apparel, and textile sector, as well as provide an outlook for how it can be achieved going forward.
FASHION MEETS APPLIED SUSTAINABILITY AND DIGITISATION
At the convergence of scientific and digital innovations, this conversation will explore the role the fashion and textile industries play in advancing meaningful and creative solutions within an increasingly digital world. Additionally, this panel will seek to discuss how the industries can work towards more immediate sustainability while also not compromising on long-term goals.
CULTIVATING ENVIRONMENTAL + ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
Far too often environmental and economic sustainability have been used as idealistic buzzwords rather than comprehensive plans of action. During this panel, we’ll be engaging key industry leaders to offer their perspectives on how we can cultivate true, long-term sustainability that delivers real results.
INNOVATIVE BY NATURE
With its global reach, the fashion industry plays an essential role in driving the success of the Sustainable Development Goals particularly around environmental issues. However, this can only be achieved with industry innovations that can support this mission. With this in mind, this discussion will take a deeper look into how the sector can foster such innovations in support of sustainability.
COLLABORATION TO DRIVE POSITIVE FASHION
Joined by representatives from key industry stakeholders, we’ll be discussing how collaboration amongst partners can be used as a tool to drive sustainability within the fashion, apparel, and textile sector.
THE FUTURE OF WORK IS NOW – VIEWS FROM THE FASHION INDUSTRY
The world of work is changing. Digitalisation and globalisation have sparked significant shifts in how we live and work. The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated these changes beyond anything we could have imagined. Join us as we discuss possibilities for where the future of work may be headed amidst these changing times.
BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL
With COVID-19 having brought significant disruption to our global community, we have been presented with the opportunity to recover better together for the long term. With an emphasis on sustainability, this panel will work to identify current challenges and opportunities within the industry and discuss how to best build a better future for all.
CONSCIOUS FASHION POWERING THE DECADE OF ACTION
With this year marking the beginning of the Decade of Action towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, sector education and its advancement will play a key role in our progress and are essential during this limited timeline. Join us as we discuss how to leverage global connection in support of sector education and SDG advancement.
