The United Nations will have a strong presence at the 2026 SDG Forum in Brussels, with sessions exploring climate information integrity, sustainable food systems, migration and the role of local SDG communities.
Taking place on 13 October at Flagey, the SDG Forum is the largest multi-stakeholder forum on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Benelux. Bringing together policymakers, businesses, NGOs, academia, civil society and citizens, this year’s programme includes plenary sessions and 26 workshops covering a wide range of sustainable development issues.
Climate and information integrity
From 11:00 to 12:30, the United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC), together with Belgium’s Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, will organise the workshop “Climate and information integrity”.
Reliable information is essential for informed public debate and effective climate action. Yet misinformation and disinformation can distort understanding of climate change, undermine trust and make it more difficult for people to identify credible information.
Three experts will examine both the global context and practical responses: Sherri Aldis of UNRIC, Amandine Sauvage of QuotaClimat and Miriam Remshard of the University of Cambridge.
The panel discussion will be moderated by Marian Blondeel of UNRIC and will take place in English, Dutch and French.
Agri-food systems as a catalyst for the SDGs
From 13:30 to 15:00, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will explore how transforming agri-food systems can accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals.
Drawing on the publication FAO and the SDGs – Accelerating transformation through the four betters, the workshop will look at concrete examples connected to SDGs 6, 7, 9 and 11.
Speakers from FAO, the Belgian Government and non-governmental organisations will discuss integrated solutions, continuing challenges and opportunities to accelerate action towards 2030, as well as perspectives on the sustainable development agenda beyond 2030.
Also from 13:30 to 15:00, CIFAL Brussels will bring together members of its network for an interactive session on the importance of local partnerships in advancing the SDGs.
The workshop, “Navigating Uncertain Times: Let’s Stick Together! The importance of belonging to an SDG Community”, will showcase how companies, public authorities, social-profit organisations, higher education institutions and other changemakers are putting the SDGs into practice.
Participants will be able to exchange experiences directly with organisations at different stages of their sustainability journey and discuss successes, challenges and lessons learned.
Migration as a driver of sustainable development
The UN presence continues into the Forum’s final workshop session, from 15:30 to 17:00.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will lead “Leaving no one behind: Migration as a powerful driver for sustainable development”.
With around one in eight people worldwide on the move, migration and human mobility are closely connected to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.
The session will present concrete examples, tools and lessons showing how well-managed migration, effective integration and mobility can contribute to sustainable development, prosperity and progress.
About the SDG Forum
The 2026 SDG Forum takes place on 13 October at Flagey in Brussels.
Organised by more than 20 partner organisations from across the sustainable development sector, the Forum aims to connect people and organisations that might not otherwise meet, creating space to exchange ideas, experience and practical solutions for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.
