2025 Program

'No time to waste' is the theme of the 2025 Sydney Summit.

Join us as we explore the big questions at our current critical juncture, being 25 years into the new century, with 25 years left to achieve net zero, and 25 months before the next state election.

Tickets coming soon

Morning sessions

It’s the resource we all want more of, but cannot buy. The challenge of an aging population and global uncertainty present an immediate challenge for Sydney: How do we boost our productivity? Are we building future prosperity and a standard of living for future generations that is the equal to, or better than, today’s? 

Our city’s most remarkable, impactful infrastructure (be it physical, social or other) is the result of a big vision and courage. If the NSW Government were going to commit to one visionary thing before 2027, what should that be?  

It’s time to dive into the first few Big Ideas for Sydney – inspiring, challenging ideas for our city’s future, submitted by the public and selected by our team and the Sydney Morning Herald!

Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind. History will be written by 2030, at least from a climate perspective. Have the fires, floods and extreme temperatures renewed our ambition? Are we realising our cities renewable energy potential? How can nature support this journey?

How do we buy time in the next five years to change the future?

Speakers include: 

  • Matt Kean, Chair of the Climate Change Authority 
  • Grace Vegesana, National Director of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition
  • Kiersten Fishburn, Secretary, DPHI 
  • Sam Kernaghan, Resilience Director, Committee for Sydney (moderator)

Whose time is valued? Time is our most precious resource, and too much of it isn’t valued. There is an increasing understanding of the unpaid labour and time-costs of caring responsibilities in Sydney. This panel will discuss how we ensure our city works for everyone.

Speakers include:

  • Professor Liz Hill, Professor of Political Economy, The University of Sydney
  • Alex McDonald, Managing Director, Orchard Talent Group
  • Estelle Grech, Planning Policy Manager, Committee for Sydney (moderator)
  • + more to be announced

Afternoon sessions

We all know the saying – hindsight is 20/20. If we had the ability to turn back time, what parts of Sydney would you change? What could they be today if we took bold action? What will we have to change in 2050 if we don’t change now? 

Hear the next Big Ideas for Sydney – inspiring, challenging ideas for our city, submitted by the public and selected by our team and the Sydney Morning Herald!

How much time do we have left to address the housing crisis? Who will live in Sydney in 2025?