In the wake of the covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion in Ukraine, the need to redefine the concept of sustainability on a global basis has arisen. New big challenges emerge, such as disruption in the energy sector, the threat of a food crisis, new refugee flows, restructuring of public health systems, changes in the workplace and labour relations. The already existing crucial issues of sustainability, such as climate crisis and biodiversity loss, poverty and inequalities, transformation of cities, are thus being addressed within a new context.

Against this background, the discussion on sustainability becomes of great importance. Many new –and old– questions require answers and, most important, demand effective and inclusive action:

• How will the SDGs work after pandemic and the war in Ukraine?
• Is there a link between biodiversity loss and the pandemics?
• EU’s and European governments’ reaction to the refugee crisis
• What changes are needed in terms of production, trade and food consumption?
• Is there risk of a decarbonisation reversal?
• Is nuclear energy a solution to the explosion of energy prices?
• Are inequalities being sharpened in the post-pandemic working environment?

Within this context, The Economist Impact Events in partnership with SDSN Europe, SDSN Greece and EIT Climate- KIC Hub Greece have great pleasure in announcing the organisation of the Sixth Economist Sustainability Summit for South-East Europe and the Mediterranean scheduled to take place on November 30th & December 1st 2022 at the Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso in Kavouri.