On March 19, 2026, “the 12th ‘Meet SDGs’ Forum: Dialogue with Professor at Columbia University Jeffrey D. Sachs”, was held at the School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua University (Tsinghua SPPM). This forum was hosted by the Tsinghua SPPM, organized by the Institute for Sustainable Development Goals of Tsinghua University (Tsinghua SDG Institute). The lecture featured Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, University Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, and Chairman of the International Academic Committee of the Tsinghua SDG Institute, delivered a keynote speech on the theme of “Geopolitics and the World Economy.” Xue Lan, Director of Tsinghua SDG Institute, Professor of Tsinghua SPPM and Dean of Schwarzman College of Tsinghua University, made welcome remarks. The event was moderated by Associate Professor Zhong Wei, Associate Dean of SPPM. More than 200 faculty members and students attended the event, both from within and beyond the University, including Professor Chen Deliang, Xinghua Distinguished Professor at Tsinghua University and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Associate Professor Yin Chengzhi, Deputy Party Secretary of Tsinghua SPPM; Associate Professor Gao Yuning, Associate Dean of Tsinghua SPPM; Associate Professor Zhang Penglong; and Associate Professor Chen Tianhao.
Group Photo
Welcome Remarks by Prof. Xue Lan
In his welcome remarks, Professor Xue Lan revisited Professor Sachs’s long-standing ties with Tsinghua University. He observed that, against the backdrop of profound shifts in global trade, technological competition, and alliance systems, a sound understanding of macroeconomic forces has become not merely optional but essential for those working in the field of public policy. He expressed his hope that Professor Sachs’s insights would help the audience navigate the prevailing complexities and offer inspiration to the faculty and students in attendance.
Keynote Speech by Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs
Professor Sachs structured his address around the notion of “paradox.” He noted that contemporary global geopolitics is in an unprecedentedly troubled state, with the underlying cause being the conflict between a "unipolar mindset" and the reality of a multipolar world, which has in turn produced systemic failures in foreign policy. At the same time, he emphasized that the prospects for sustainable development remain promising. China’s successful practices and notable contributions in areas such as poverty alleviation, innovation, and the green energy transition offer critical experience and leadership capacity for global sustainable development.
Moderated by Assoc. Prof. Zhong Wei
During the Q&A session, faculty and students engaged Professor Sachs in in-depth discussions on regional conflicts and development, the future of the petrodollar, and pathways for the global green transition. In response to a question on "who controls U.S. foreign policy," he traced the institutional origins back to the National Security Act of 1947, which established the Central Intelligence Agency and authorized covert operations, and he identified the long-standing disconnect between U.S. foreign policy and democratic accountability as a deep-seated problem. On the energy transition, he argued that the pricing function of the petrodollar has been overstated, and that the true foundations of the U.S. economy lie in technology, education, and financial markets. He further suggested that, as the world’s leading provider of low-cost green technology, China should further expand its export capacity in service of the global public interest.
On-site Lecture
