BELLINGHAM, Washington, USA – January 29, 2026 – SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics , has joined other leaders in the publishing community to become a signatory to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Publishers Compact.
The UN SDGs are a collection of 17 goals that highlight urgent aspects of sustainability that impact people and the planet. The SDG Publishers Compact was designed by the UN in collaboration with the International Publishers Association in order to encourage publishers worldwide to take action to achieve these goals. The compact is a voluntary commitment that acknowledges the responsibility of the publishing industry to help create a sustainable future for everyone.
Several of the goals are already actively supported by SPIE’s mission as well as by the research that the organization showcases in its publishing arm, the SPIE Digital Library . These SPIE commitments and activities include:
“Signing the UN SDG Publishers Compact reaffirms SPIE’s commitment to a sustainable future through quality and relevant publications,” said SPIE Senior Director of Publications Patrick Franzen . “We are honored to join our fellow publishers in supporting this critical initiative and bringing more awareness to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
About SPIE
SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, brings engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals together to advance light-based science and technology. The Society, founded in 1955, connects and engages with our global constituency through industry-leading conferences and exhibitions; publications of conference proceedings, books, and journals in the SPIE Digital Library; and career-building opportunities. Over the past five years, we have invested more than $26 million in the international optics community through our advocacy and support, including scholarships, educational resources, travel grants, endowed gifts, and public-policy development. spie.org
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Lindsey McGuirk
Public Relations Manager
lindseym@spie.org
+1 360 685 5443
@spie.org