Why engagement at conferences still matters, even when goals feel out of reach
There is something about sitting in a United Nations conference with ministers from Montenegro, Senegal, Türkiye and Serbia that gives you pause and perspective. You realize quickly that progress does not come from big declarations. It comes from listening, showing up and staying engaged.
At this year’s 9th International Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Forum of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in Belgrade, Serbia, we joined other members of civil society and leaders from across Europe, Asia, Africa and North America to explore how sustainable infrastructure can serve as a foundation for healthier, more equitable communities. I was astounded by the innovative solutions countries presented and humbled by the conversations about what tomorrow could be for us all.
At this point in our history, it is increasingly clear that the world will not fully achieve the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). While that reality is sobering, missing a target does not mean progress has not been made. Consider SEN’EAU, this year’s outstanding winner of the UNECE PPP and Infrastructure Award. This public-private partnership in Senegal is expanding access to safe, affordable drinking water by managing and modernizing urban water services across the country. While the UNSDGs may fall short, their influence helped inspire efforts like SEN’EAU, which is already delivering lasting benefits to the Senegalese people.
It is a reality and a necessary reminder. Just because we may not reach even the most ambitious goals does not mean we abandon the work. It means we keep aiming, and when we miss, we return with clearer insight, stronger relationships and deeper resolve.
The same holds true in the other sector we serve: regulation. We work hard to improve how we protect the public interest. But we do not always hit the mark. Policies do not always land as intended. Ideas can fall flat. Yet through dialogue, analysis and reflection — and yes, conferences — we evolve. We learn. And we move closer to outcomes that are more relevant, inclusive and effective.
That happened for us in Belgrade. Our colleague Melissa Peneycad joined a panel on public engagement and trust in infrastructure, sharing insights on how to meaningfully involve communities in projects that shape their future. The conversations did not end on stage. They continued in hallways, over lunch and between sessions.
Engagement is not about checking a box. It is about staying present. It is about showing up not for appearances but for impact. That is true whether you are building a sustainable transport network across borders or improving a licensing process in rural Canada.
I accept, as many others do, that the UNSDGs likely will not be met as planned by 2030. But not all is lost. Tens of thousands of people around the world, including many last week in Belgrade, continue to make space to listen, to learn, and to adjust.
When we do that, regardless of the aspirational goal, we are already ahead of where we were yesterday.
And that is worth showing up for.
