Earlier this month I had the privilege of taking part in the Global Sustainability Summit & Awards 2026, held at the historic House of Lords, Palace of Westminster in London. Now in its 5th edition, the summit gathered leaders, policymakers, innovators, and researchers from around the world under this year’s theme, People, Planet & Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation, with a shared conviction that progress must first serve people and protect the planet before it can be called profitable.
I was honoured to join one of the panels, where I spoke about sustainability in our cities and places. My focus was on the power of public spaces, and how well-designed, inclusive spaces can help heal our communities, strengthen social bonds, and bring greenery back into everyday urban life. Public space is not a luxury. It is where a city’s social and ecological health is built, one shared place at a time.
I also shared insights from my chapter in the book ESG in the Age of AI, an expert-led guide published by Packt and edited by Ann Molin, bringing together global contributors to explore how AI is reshaping ESG strategy, governance, compliance, and responsible innovation. My chapter looks at how cities and communities can harness artificial intelligence for regenerative, people-centred futures. It was a natural fit with this year’s theme, and a chance to connect the ideas on the page with real conversations in the room.
Here is a short video:
Mustafa Sherif 