A Global Gathering for Sustainability Research
The 12th World Sustainability Forum (WSF-12) was held in Hong Kong, China, from 21 to 24 August 2026. Organized by the MDPI open-access journal Sustainability , it successfully brought together over 300 experts, scholars, policymakers, and industry representatives from more than 100 universities and research institutions across 53 countries. WSF-12 received 543 abstract submissions, reflecting strong global interest in sustainability research.
Scientific Program
The scientific program comprised 230 onsite presentations, including four plenary speeches, 31 keynote speeches, 20 invited speeches, 122 oral presentations, and 53 poster presentations, as well as a plenary panel discussion featuring six distinguished panelists. Scientific excellence was recognized through 13 Oral Awards and five Poster Awards, highlighting outstanding research contributions presented at the forum.
MDPI Sustainability Foundation Awards
Another highlight of WSF-12 was the presentation of three MDPI Sustainability Foundation Awards, celebrating the achievements of researchers whose work is advancing sustainability science and delivering meaningful societal impact.
2026 World Sustainability Award (WSA)
Prof. Zongping Shao (Curtin University, Australia) was recognized for his pioneering contributions to sustainable energy materials and technologies. Through his research and technological innovations in clean energy systems, Prof. Shao exemplifies the mission of the MDPI Sustainability Foundation and the WSA in advancing the development of sustainable energy solutions and driving progress toward a zero-carbon society.
2025 World Sustainability Award (WSA)
Dr. Abdelbagi M. Ismail (International Rice Research Institute, Kenya) was recognized for his outstanding contributions to advancing climate-resilient agriculture and strengthening food and income security for smallholder farmers in vulnerable environments. The WSA acknowledges his distinguished career dedicated to developing sustainable agricultural solutions and improving the resilience of farming systems and rural livelihoods across Asia and Africa.
2026 Emerging Sustainability Leader Award (ESLA)
Asst. Prof. Katrina Knauer (University of Colorado Boulder and USA National Laboratory of the Rockies, USA) was recognized for her visionary leadership in transforming plastics into a truly circular materials platform. By uniting fundamental polymer science with scalable engineering and systems analysis, her work delivers solutions that are environmentally impactful, economically viable, and nationally significant. The award recognizes her sustained contributions across industry, entrepreneurship, federal research leadership, and academia, advancing plastics as materials engineered for continuous value within a regenerative economy.
Recognizing researchers and emerging leaders at different stages of their careers is an important part of supporting scientific communities. Beyond celebrating individual achievements, these awards highlight research and leadership that contribute to addressing global sustainability challenges and creating positive societal impact.
Nominations open for 2027
The MDPI Sustainability Foundation is now accepting nominations for its two flagship awards for 2027. The WSA carries a prize of 100,000 USD and recognizes a senior researcher for exceptional and sustained contributions to sustainability scholarship and practice. The ESLA carries a prize of 20,000 USD and recognizes an outstanding early-career researcher who has made an exceptional academic or societal contribution to sustainability. Nominations can be submitted through the official Awards website here .
Looking Ahead to WSF-13
Building on the success of WSF-12, the 13th World Sustainability Forum —Science, Policy and Practice for Sustainable Cities and Healthy Coasts (WSF-13) will be held in Nice, France, from 8 to 11 June 2027. Organized again by MDPI and the journal Sustainability , in collaboration with Université Côte d'Azur, the forum will be chaired by Prof. Dr. Adel Ben Youssef (Côte d'Azur University, Nice, France) and Prof. Dr. Max Bergman (University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland). WSF-13 will continue the mission of advancing sustainability research and interdisciplinary dialogue across the natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences.
The World Sustainability Forum continues to demonstrate the value of sustained investment in scientific communities and interdisciplinary dialogue. Over the years, WSF has evolved into an established platform where researchers, policymakers, and industry experts come together to share knowledge, build collaborations, and advance solutions to complex sustainability challenges. Find out more about WSF or submit your research for the conference in 2027 by exploring the official website of WSF-13 .