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The 12th World Sustainability Forum

The 12th World Sustainability Forum

The 12th World Sustainability Forum

Part of the World Sustainability Forum series
21–24 August 2026, Hong Kong, China
Abstract Submission Deadline
1 May 2026
Abstract Acceptance Notification
1 June 2026

Urban Sustainability Nexus, Circular Economy, Ecological Conservation, Sustainable Transportation, Climate Adaptation, Waste Management
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Welcome from the Chair

Building on the success of previous editions, we are delighted to announce that the 12th World Sustainability Forum (WSF-12) will be held in Hong Kong from 21–24 August 2026. In a time of rapid climate change, increasingly frequent extreme weather events, and growing resource constraints, the need for integrated, scalable solutions has never been greater.

WSF-12 will bring together global leaders, researchers and innovators to bridge science, policy, and society, fostering integrated solutions and collaborative partnerships that accelerate the transition from vision to action for a resilient and sustainable future. The forum will highlight the critical role of innovation and cross-sector partnerships in accelerating this transition.

This year’s forum will focus on six key themes:
• Smart and Inclusive Urban Planning, and the Urban Sustainability Nexus (refers to the intersection of urban planning, resource management, and social well-being);
• The Circular Economy–Resource Efficiency Nexus;
• Waste Management, Renewable Energy Integration and Grid Modernization;
• Climate Adaptation and Ecological Conservation;
• Sustainable Transportation and Low-Carbon Mobility;
• Policy Frameworks for Equitable Green Transitions.

WSF-12 aims to bridge scientific research, societal needs, and policy implementation. We especially encourage contributions that integrate technological advancements with socio-economic perspectives to address the complex challenges of sustainability in a changing world.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hong Kong in 2026 to share your expertise, explore new collaborations, and contribute to a sustainable future.

Kind regards,
Conference Chair
Professor Vivien Lu
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China

Event Chairs

Professor Vivien Lu

Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

Introduction
Bio
Ir Prof. Lu joined the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as an assistant professor in 2006 after working for Parsons Brinckerhoff (Asia) Ltd for 2 years, and was promoted to Professor in July 2018. As a highly cited researcher by Clarivate Analytics in Engineering and a World’s Top 2% Scientist by Stanford University in Energy, Prof. Lu is a well established researcher in renewable energy and building energy engineering. Prof. Lu has published 6 books/handbook chapters and over 350 SCI-cited journal papers (including Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, etc.), and her work has been financially supported by the Research Grant Council (RGC) of Hong Kong (GRF, NFSC/RGC JRS, CRF(Co-PI), HKPDF), Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Commission (ITF), Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department (ECF), Hong Kong Policy Innovation and Coordination Office (PPR), Hong Kong Construction Industry Institute (CII), Dept of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, the Society of Hong Kong Scholars and the China National Postdoctoral Council (Hong Kong Scholars), Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) and various industry partners including Sinopec. Prof. Lu has received several prestigious awards, primarily as the first awardee, and is the founder of two spin-out startups. Currently, she is serving local government as The Project Management Committee (PMC) for Cleaner Production Partnership Programme, Task Force Member for Energy Management System Certification under Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) and as Working Group Member for Building Energy Codes (Electrical; Energy Audit; Lighting) under Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance.

Honorary Chair

Prof. Dr. Max Bergman

University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Introduction
Biography
Prof. Manfred Max Bergman is Chair of Social Research and Methodology and Director of the Social Transitions Research Group at the University of Basel, member of the Research Council of the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Uganda National Academy of Sciences, and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), a global initiative for the United Nations. He is President of the Swiss Academic Society for Environmental Research and Ecology and Editor in Chief of World. He has been chairing the World Sustainability Forum and the Basel Sustainability Forum since 2014. He currently collaborates with the Mixed Methods Program at the University of Michigan, and his substantive research is on sustainability and the business-society nexus in North America and Asia.

MDPI Sustainability Foundation Awards



The MDPI Sustainability Foundation proudly presents the World Sustainability Award and Emerging Sustainability Leader Award as part of the World Sustainability Forum. Starting in 2025, this global event and its awards ceremony will take place annually, celebrating the scholarly contributions of individuals to sustainability research. The total annual award budget amounts to 120,000 USD, funded by the MDPI Sustainability Foundation.

Purpose of the Awards

The World Sustainability Award (WSA) and the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award (ESLA) are international honors conferred by the MDPI Sustainability Foundation. These awards were conceived to recognize and celebrate outstanding academic and societal contributions to sustainability. The WSA is intended for established researchers or research groups whose work has had a sustained and transformative impact on the field, while the ESLA highlights the emerging influence of early-career scholars who demonstrate outstanding potential in advancing sustainability research.

The core mission of these awards is to promote excellence across the breadth of sustainability science and its implementation. Nominees must demonstrate exceptional contributions that advance the understanding or transformative capacity of sustainability principles. This includes innovative theoretical, empirical, or applied research that addresses global challenges across ecological, societal, or economic dimensions. The awards aim to inspire further advancements in sustainability by recognizing achievements that embody academic rigor, societal relevance, and transformative impact.

Award Structure and Categories:

Reflecting the multifaceted nature of sustainability, the World Sustainability Award and the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award are presented across three core pillars of sustainability: Biosphere, Society, and Economy.

The Emerging Sustainability Leader Award recognizes outstanding early-career researchers who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to the advancement of sustainability research. Offered by the MDPI Sustainability Foundation, the award celebrates innovation, impact, and academic excellence across the sustainability spectrum. The 2026 ESLA will honor one outstanding early-career researcher, typically within 10 years of completing their PhD, who has made an exceptional academic or societal contribution to sustainability, whether broadly or in relation to a specific sustainability-relevant issue. The recipient will receive a monetary prize of 20,000 USD. The awardee will be officially presented during The 12th World Sustainability Forum.

The World Sustainability Award honors individuals who have made groundbreaking contributions to sustainability research. Offered by the MDPI Sustainability Foundation, the award recognizes scholarly excellence and transformative impact across disciplines. The 2026 WSA will honor one individual researcher whose work has made a transformative academic or societal contribution to sustainability, whether broadly or in relation to a specific sustainability-relevant issue. The recipient will receive a monetary prize of 100,000 USD, which will be officially presented during The 12th World Sustainability Forum.

The awards are conferred solely on the basis of merit by an independent Selection Committee that follows a structured, peer-reviewed, and transparent evaluation process.

Important Deadlines:

Award application open date: 25 July 2025
Award application deadline: 15 December 2026
Award winner announcement day: 30 January 2026.

Award Ceremony and Presentation Venue

The WSA and ESLA awardees are ceremoniously presented at the World Sustainability Forum 2026, a global academic platform that convenes leading researchers and institutions in the field of sustainability. The upcoming WSF 2026 will be hosted in Hong Kong, marking an important milestone for the awards’ integration into one of the world’s most dynamic sustainability hubs. In addition to the prizes, all awardees will receive a travel and accommodation stipend to facilitate their presence at the World Sustainability Forum in Hong Kong in 2026. The Forum provides not only the venue for the award ceremony but also a stage for recipients to share their research through keynote addresses and panel discussions. This integration ensures high visibility for the awardees’ work and facilitates interdisciplinary dialogue. The participation of awardees in the Forum reinforces the awards’ aim to bridge scholarly excellence with actionable insights for global sustainability transitions.

Join us at the WSF12 and watch the presentation of the awardees in Hong Kong on 21-24 August 2026.

For more information, please visit: https://mdpi-foundation.org/awards.

Instructions for Authors

Abstract Submission

The 12th World Sustainability Forum will accept abstracts only.

The accepted abstracts will be available online on Sciforum.net during and after the conference.

Please note that abstract submission and conference registration are two separate processes. Please use the same email address during registration and when submitting your work.

What are the benefits in getting your abstract accepted at the WSF2026?

  • You get to present and discuss your latest findings with your peers.
  • You get to network and exchange ideas and resources with like-minded researchers.
  • Your research might be highlighted in an MDPI announcement and social media post. You will be mentioned in the News section of MDPI.com, as well as in one of the MDPI Sustainability Foundation Social Media Posts.

Submit your research

Create an account on Sciforum if you do not have one, then click on ‘New Submission’ on the upper-right corner of the window, or by clicking on ‘Submit Abstract’ at the top of this webpage. Indicate what thematic area is best suited for your research.

  • Submit an abstract in English (maximum 300 words). The deadline to submit your abstract is 1 May 2026
  • The structured abstract should include the identification of the research gap based on prior research, the aim of
    the paper, introduction, methods, results, and conclusion sections of about 200–300 words in length.
  • Upon submission, you can select if you wish to be considered for an oral presentation or a poster presentation.
  • Following assessment by the Selection Committee and the Chairs, you will be notified by 1 June 2026 in a separate email whether your contribution has been accepted for oral presentation.
  • Please note that, in order to finalize the scientific program in due time, at least one registration by any of the authors, denoted as Covering Author, is required to cover the presentation and publication of any accepted abstract. Covering Author registration deadline is 22 June 2026. Your abstract will be withdrawn if your registration is not complete by this date.

Oral Presentations

Oral Presentations will be given in person. If a selected speaker cannot attend in person to give their oral presentation, they forfeit their right to present.

All presentations must be sent to the Conference Organizers before the day of their presentation.

Poster Presentation

Posters can be displayed in the venue near the meeting hall.
You can use our free template to create your poster. The poster template can be downloaded HERE.

Location and Venue

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)

With over 85 years of rich heritage, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has evolved alongside Hong Kong, making pivotal contributions to its social and economic development, as well as to the Nation and the world. PolyU aspires to be an innovative world-class university that pursues excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer. Guided by its motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”, the University nurtures socially responsible professionals and leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective, while driving world-leading research and innovation for societal benefits. PolyU’s unwavering commitment to excellence, impact, and innovation has earned it widespread international recognition. The University consistently ranks among the world’s top 100 universities, a testament to its status as a global leader in higher education and cutting-edge research.



Visa Information

Most nationalities can visit Hong Kong for a short period without a visa; however, the requirements vary by country, with visa-free stays ranging from 7 days to 180 days. To confirm your specific requirements, visit the Hong Kong Immigration Department website. For longer stays, you must apply for a visa in advance, either through the nearest Chinese diplomatic mission, a local sponsor, or directly by post to the Immigration Department. You will need your passport, sufficient funds, proof of accommodation, and your travel itinerary to apply for a visa.

1. Check Your Visa-Free Status
Varying Periods: Hong Kong allows visa-free entry for short visits for nationals of many countries, but the duration of stay differs.
Specific Information: Check the official Hong Kong Immigration Department (immd.gov.hk) website or the Hong Kong Tourism Board for details specific to your country of origin.

2. When a Visa is Required
Extended Stays: You need to apply for a visa or entry permit if your planned visit exceeds the visa-free period allowed for your nationality.

3. How to Apply for a Visa
Visa Application: Applicants must submit their visa application to the nearest Chinese diplomatic and consular mission or directly to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
Sponsor: A local sponsor can also be used to submit the visa application on your behalf.
e-Visa: The Immigration Department issues "e-Visas," which are PDF-formatted notification slips, upon approval of the application.

4. Required Documents
Passport: A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your planned stay.
Application Form: A completed Hong Kong visitor visa application form.
Financial Proof: Evidence of sufficient funds to cover your stay, such as bank statements.
Travel Documents: Proof of onward or return transportation arrangements, like flight bookings.
Other Documents: Passport-sized photographs and proof of accomodation may also be required.

Visa Support Letter

  • Applicants must have paid for registration and submitted an abstract in order to get a letter of support.
  • Applicants must provide us with a scan of their valid, in-date passport that contains a photo of them.
  • Applicants must provide us with a letter of support from their institution to confirm that they support the delegate attending the meeting.
  • This must be carried out in good time before the meeting; “last minute” requests will not be processed.

Request for Visa Application Document(s) - Invitation Letter
If, for visa purposes, you require an invitation letter to allow you to travel to Hong Kong, please email wsf12@mdpi.com the following details to the conference secretariat:

  • Photocopy of your passport;
  • Name (as it appears on your passport);
  • Passport number;
  • Nationality;
  • Date and Place of Birth;
  • Place of Issue;
  • Date of Issue: dd/mm/yyyy;
  • Expiration Date: dd/mm/yyyy;
  • Country of departure;
  • Job title;
  • Organization;
  • Mailing address;
  • Email.

Kindly ensure that you have completed your registration and made payment before sending in your request for your visa application document(s) to the conference secretariat. The document(s) will be prepared and sent by email. Failure to provide the above information will result in the delay of your invitation letter.

Organizers

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Sponsors and Partners

For questions regarding sponsorship opportunities, check out our sponsorship brochure or contact wsf12@mdpi.com.

Organizers


Sponsors

Event Secretaries

Mrs. Theodora Felegean
Mrs. Fionn Ee
Dr. Alina-Andrada Igna
Mrs. Flora Li

Email: wsf12@mdpi.com For inquiries regarding submissions and sponsorship opportunities, please feel free to contact us.

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