The 2nd U.S.-Asia Sustainable Development Summit

Global Governance on AI and Environment

Get your ticket today for The 2nd U.S.-Asia Sustainable Development Summit on April 24th

The 2nd U.S.-Asia Sustainable Development Summit will be hosted in April 24th.

Global issues such as climate change, energy pollution, and resource scarcity have closely linked the fate of all humanity. In-depth cooperation and communication across industries and borders are key to solving these complex problems. Against this backdrop, the U.S.-Asia Sustainable Development Foundation has organized a series of summit events, creating a cross-border cooperation platform that encompasses multiple dimensions such as academia, technology, business, and social policy. These efforts aim to advance the common goal of sustainable development worldwide.

In April 2025, we will meet again at Harvard, continuing our in-depth discussions with senior experts on cutting-edge topics in sustainable development. This summit will focus on the impact of AI on the environment, climate change, clean energy technologies, and green investments, exploring the latest advancements in these areas and how they can promote environmental protection, energy transformation, and sustainable production and consumption patterns. The summit will feature a series of roundtable discussions, results announcements, and expert lectures, showcasing the results of Sino-American cooperation in the field of climate change, analyzing the environmental impact of artificial intelligence, and discussing how green financial innovation can promote sustainable development.

Through this summit, we aim to connect industry, academia, the financial sector, and policymakers from the U.S. and Asia to provide a platform for exploring solutions to global environmental challenges. If you are passionate about sustainable development, looking forward to addressing climate change, and keen to learn about the latest trends in energy conservation and green investments, we warmly invite you to stay tuned for UASDF news and participate in the summit to become part of driving a green future!

Agenda

08:30 AM – 09:00 AM | Registration
Welcome and check-in for participants.

09:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony will feature thought-provoking speeches by esteemed guests who will delve into the complexities of global environmental governance. These speeches will highlight the urgent need for strengthened multilateral collaboration, innovative policy frameworks, and collective action to tackle pressing climate issues. 

Keynote Speakers:

  • Jeevan Ramapriya, Executive Director, the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment

  • Craig Allen, President, the United States-China Business Council (USCBC)

  • Santiago Creuheras, Fellow, Harvard Weatherhead Center for International Affairs; Former Deputy Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Energy, Ministry for the Environment, Mexico

  • Kevin Knobloch, President, Knobloch Energy LLC; Former Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Energy

  • Jerry Huang, Founder and President, U.S.-Asia Sustainable Development Foundation 

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM | Panel 1: Bridging Policy Gaps: U.S.-Asia Climate and Energy Collaboration
As the world’s two largest economies and carbon emitters, the U.S. and Asia play a critical role in shaping global climate and energy policies. This panel will explore the latest developments in bilateral energy and environmental policies, key areas of collaboration in tackling climate change, and the challenges and opportunities ahead. Experts will discuss policy trends, joint initiatives, and how both countries can work together to drive global sustainability efforts.

  • Jesse Lazarus (Moderator), Advisor, Greentech Alliance, Reaction VC 

  • Jeevan Ramapriya, Executive Director, the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment

  • Franz Hochstrasser (Online), Managing Director, Finance at S2 Strategies; Former Senior Advisor, the Special Envoy for Climate Change, the State Department

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Panel 2: Accelerating Green Growth: Cross-Border Climate Industry Partnerships

The transition to a low-carbon economy presents immense opportunities for cross-border business collaboration in clean energy, green technology, and sustainable industries. This panel will focus on how businesses from the U.S., China, and across Asia are partnering to advance climate solutions. Discussions will cover investment strategies, market entry challenges, and successful case studies of international cooperation in renewable energy, carbon markets, and green innovation.

Speakers: 

  • Shraddha Nair (Moderator), Net Zero Consultant, Turner & Townsend

  • Noah Feingold, Director, Energy Transition Consulting, S&P Global

  • Ann Davlin, CEO, Cleantech Leaders Roundtable

  • Zachary Schiffer, Assistant Professor of Applied Physics, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

  • Walt Alfred, CEO, Ally Powers

12:30 PM – 01:30 PM | Lunch Break

01:30 PM – 02:30 PM | Panel 3: Financing the Future: Sustainable Investments and Green Finance

Financing the transition to a sustainable future requires a concerted effort from investors, policymakers, and financial institutions. This panel will explore the evolving landscape of sustainable finance, including green bonds, ESG investing, carbon pricing mechanisms, and public-private partnerships. Experts will discuss how capital can be mobilized effectively to accelerate climate solutions, reduce financial risks, and unlock economic opportunities in the low-carbon economy.

Speakers: 

  • Megan Phelan (Moderator) , Climate Tech Investor, ACCELR8

  • Peter Lupoff, Partner, Beatrice Advisors 

  • Peter Gardett , Head of Research, Energy and Commodities, Karbone

  • Evan Kodra, Head of Research & Content, ICE Climate

02:45 PM – 03:45 PM | Panel 4: International Sustainable Growth Strategies: Innovation, Transition, and Impact
Achieving sustainable growth requires industries to embrace innovation, adapt to evolving market dynamics, and integrate environmental responsibility into their core strategies. This panel will explore key drivers of sustainable transformation, including emerging technologies, new business models, and policy shifts. Panelists will discuss practical solutions for scaling sustainability, enhancing resilience, and creating long-term value in a rapidly changing landscape.

  • Roxana Shafiee (Moderator), Environmental Fellow, Harvard University Center for the Environment, Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability

  • Vitaly Veksler, CEO, Founder, and Global Macro Portfolio Manager, Beyond Borders Investment Strategies, LLC

  • Adam Klauber , VP Sustainability/Digital Supply Chain, World Energy

  • Megan Krause, Founder, Highwire Energy & Sustainability Practice

04:00 PM – 04:15 PM | Project Presentation 

  • Zhu Liu (Video), Tenured Professor and Principal Investigator, Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University

04:15 PM – 04:40 PM | Keynote Presentation 

  • Robert S. Kaplan, Senior Fellow, Marvin Bower Professor of Leadership Development, Emeritus, Harvard Business Review

04:40 PM – 05:00 PM | Closing Remarks

Summary of key insights and closing remarks from summit leaders.

  • Gene Hartigan, President, Shanghai Zhangjiang Boston Enterprise Park

  • Jerry Huang, Founder and President, U.S.-Asia Sustainable Development Foundation 

05:00-05:30 PM | Networking Session

Past Event

The 1st U.S.-Asia Sustainable Development Summit

The 1st U.S.-Asia Sustainable Development Summit was successfully held at Harvard University on April 13th, 2024. The summit attracted global policymakers, scholars, and industry elites to discuss multilateral cooperation strategies to confront global climate change challenges and advance sustainable development. Themed "Crossing Boundaries: Uniting for a Sustainable Future," the conference aimed to enhance international cooperation, overcome national and industrial barriers, and accelerate the achievement of global sustainable development goals.