Global Challenges Foundation at Ystad Summit 2025
On the 3rd and 4th of September, members of civil society, the business sector and government gathered in Ystad for the 2025 edition of Ystad Summit.
Over the two days of Ystad Summit, attendees were treated to presentations, panel discussions and workshops covering four main focus areas; democracy & social sustainability, the green transition, growth, and preparedness.
On the afternoon of day two, Anja Olin-Pape, Head of Programmes at the Global Challenges Foundation led a discussion titled “Our Planetary Boundaries” with Lisa Jacobson of the Earth Commission and Stefan Löfven, former Prime Minister of Sweden.
Left to right: Anja Olin-Pape, Stefan Löfven, and Lisa Jacobson on stage at Ystad Summit.
After a short introduction video of the Earth Commission from Johan Rockström, Lisa delved deeper into explaining the Safe and Just Earth System Boundaries that the Earth Commission has developed to better understand the stresses on our planet and how we can remain within a safe operating space.
Next, Anja shared a quote from António Guterres to the crowd of around 150 people, “In the case of climate, we are not the dinosaurs, we are the meteor. We are not only in danger, we are the danger. But, we are also the solution” and brought Stefan Löfven up on stage.
Stefan spoke about his time co-leading the High Level Advisory Board (HLAB) on Effective Multilateralism in the lead up to the Summit of the Future, and the report that the UN Secretary General tasked the HLAB to produce. He gave the audience an overview of the “six shifts” that the report presents as being instrumental in delivering a breakthrough for people and the planet. He also stressed that “we must reach net zero by 2050 globally”.
The discussion concluded with a few questions from Anja and the crowd answered by Lisa and Stefan. You can watch a recording of the event (in Swedish) below.
Ystad Summit is Sweden’s new meeting place for positive social change. It is held in Ystad in Southern Sweden each year and includes many interesting events and opportunities for dialogue, exchange, and unexpected encounters for a shared future.