As METU CLIMATE, we took part in the 4th Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC 2025), held at the Istanbul Congress Center between June 16–19, 2025, to represent Middle East Technical University's vision for sustainable development.

Organized by Times Higher Education (THE) and hosted by the Turkish Council of Higher Education, the congress aims to strengthen the contribution of higher education institutions to the global sustainable development goals (SDGs). Bringing together thought leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from diverse sectors around the world, the event sought to forge new alliances and take tangible steps toward a more sustainable future. Throughout the program, critical themes such as the climate crisis, inequalities, digital transformation, and the role of higher education in sustainable development were discussed. Through panels, workshops, and interactive sessions, representatives from policy, academia, the private sector, and civil society engaged in solution-oriented dialogues.

Throughout the congress, METU showcased its work in education, research, and societal impact. In his keynote address, METU Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil shared the university's sustainability vision, emphasized the importance of student participation, and underlined METU's commitment to social responsibility with an international audience.

Professor Yozgatlıgil emphasized that sustainability at METU is not limited to any single field but is central to all disciplines from engineering to social sciences, from architecture to basic sciences. He highlighted participatory programs such as the climate envoys, selected among students, underlining that students actively contribute not only to on-campus projects but also to national and international sustainability initiatives. As METU approaches its 75th anniversary, Prof. Dr. Yozgatlıgil stated that concrete steps are being taken to achieve sustainable campus goals, noting that efforts have already started to reduce plastic use and to limit the use of fossil fuel-powered vehicles on campus. He concluded his speech with the following words:

"As we say in our motto: We can change the world. This change begins in people's lives, spreads to their campuses, their cities, their countries, and ultimately to the entire world."

As METU CLIMATE, we will continue our efforts to contribute to this transformation and to achieve a sustainable campus vision.

This year, the congress hosted more than 5,000 sustainability actors, over 400 influential speakers, more than 170 global participants, and representatives from more than 90 countries who came together to be part of this global transformation. The event welcomed a wide range of participants from university leaders to youth representatives, city administrators to technology experts. This diversity once again highlights the multidimensional nature of sustainability and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Times Higher Education (THE) is a globally respected higher education ranking organization that evaluates universities based on criteria such as education, research, and societal and environmental impact. With this congress, THE encourages universities to be assessed not only by their academic performance but also by their environmental and social contributions.