On June 4 2026, Co-chair Ban Ki-moon participated in SDG Inspiration Day, an event hosted by RELX to bring together leading voices in climate science, policy, and innovation from all different sectors to discuss the potential power of collective action in accelerating progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a special focus on SDG 13: Climate Action. 

The event hosted four keynote speakers: 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations & Co-chair of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, Ban Ki-moon; founding partner of Global Optimism, Christiana Figueres; nuclear scientist and author, Dr. Tim Gregory; and Director of DG INTPA’s Directorate F at the European Commission, Erica Gerretsen. 

The conference began with opening remarks from the keynote speakers that stressed the urgency of climate action by describing a world increasingly affected by climate impacts. They also reaffirmed the notion that the European Union is on track to meet its climate targets and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Many events took place over the course of the day, ranging from a discussion on limiting the climate footprint of music festivals and tours to the role of creativity through art in addressing the climate challenge. 

At the conclusion of the events, Chief Sustainability Officer and Global Head of Corporate Responsibility at RELX, Márcia Baliscanio, moderated a Fireside Chat between Co-chair Ban Ki-moon and Director Erica Gerretsen about the ties between innovative financing, climate action, and international partnerships titled: “Financing the Future: Partnerships Powering Global Climate Action.”

During this discussion, Co-chair Ban Ki-moon was asked about his hope for potential meaningful progress amid the backdrop of worldwide health emergencies and global fragility, to which he responded: “At COP30 in Belém, we saw leaders pledge to triple investments in climate adaptation by 2035. This is a crucial step for protecting those least responsible for the climate crisis and vulnerable communities, including small island nations. I urge developed nations to uphold their financial and capacity-building commitments. Let us be clear: the tools to solve this crisis are already in our hands.” The conversation then pivoted to a discussion of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, which hopes to mobilize hundreds of billions of euros in sustainable public and private infrastructure projects. Director Gerretsen, discussing the Global Gateway initiative, emphasized that “Investors need predictable policy frameworks, transparent regulations, [and] long-term stable commitments.” Through these steps, the EU’s Global Gateway initiative will be a major step towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Following this exchange, Co-chair Ban Ki-moon was asked to give concluding remarks about his judgment on what a successful outcome of SDG Inspiration Day in the run-up to COP 31 in Antalya would be, to which he responded: “Transition does not happen in conference centers. I invite everyone joining today to be inspired by the great ideas presented across the panels and to seek new, even unconventional, collaborations with other participants.”  His message of unity with global partners served as a concise closing to the event and a call-back to the theme of the SDG Inspiration Day.