Dr Adedoyin Adeleke has been named Co-Chair of the UN’s Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) team, marking a first for both Africa and Nigeria. Announced on September 19, 2025, this appointment recognises his blend of policy and community leadership as strategies accelerate toward the SDGs before 2030.
Adeleke will serve on a diverse panel advancing solutions from climate science to innovation, with his work exemplifying Africa’s contribution to global sustainability through grassroots action, landmark projects, and mentoring across the continent
UN Appoints Adeleke as GSDR Co-Chair
The United Nations has appointed Dr Adedoyin Adeleke, Executive Director of Green Growth Africa Sustainability Network, as Co-Chair of the 15-member scientific group that will lead the preparation of the 2027 Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR), a critical publication shaping global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The announcement, made on 19 September 2025, marks a historic milestone as Dr. Adeleke becomes the first African and first Nigerian to co-lead the flagship scientific effort, underscoring growing recognition of African expertise in global sustainability policy.
Significance of the Appointment
The GSDR, mandated by UN Member States and published every four years, supplies science-driven guidance to national leaders who shape sustainable policy decisions around the world.
As Co-Chair, Dr Adeleke will oversee a cross-disciplinary team comprising scientists from climate policy, urban innovation, law, and economics, consolidating the latest evidence and actionable solutions intended to close persistent gaps in SDG advancement before the final 2030 deadline.
The work of this group, and its flagship report, scheduled for launch at a high-level UN event in 2027, should influence the trajectory and substance of the SDGs as a development agenda, after 2030.
Rationale and Broader Impact
UN officials describe this new group and its broad consultation process as vital steps towards an inclusive, just, and science-based approach to global development, as earlier progress reports have revealed slow movement on many SDG indicators.
Dr Adeleke’s appointment reflects ongoing efforts to integrate more diverse voices and regional expertise into high-level science-policy fora, a move widely recognised as necessary for credible global progress.
The group will coordinate with the UN Secretariat, UNESCO, UNEP, UNDP, UNCTAD, and the World Bank, supported by stakeholder input from across the globe.
Dr Adeleke’s Track Record
Dr Adeleke, a key architect of sustainability innovation in Africa, is recognised for bridging science, policy, and grassroots action in his leadership of Green Growth Africa, a UNEP-accredited NGO.
With a PhD from Politecnico di Milano and major roles in energy and climate research consortia, he has developed Nigeria’s first ultra-modern green building made from plastic waste, led digital innovations for environmental accountability, and implemented youth education and empowerment programs across 26 African countries.
His selection as Co-Chair signals international confidence in his ability to deliver rigorous, inclusive, and actionable insights at a pivotal time for the United Nations’ development agenda.
