Sunway University to Host Asia’s First Global Tipping Points Conference 2026

Sunway University will host the Global Tipping Points Conference 2026 (GTP 2026) from 12 to 15 October, marking the first time the international conference will take place in Asia.

Organised through the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health (SCPH), the four-day gathering will bring together scientists, policymakers, health leaders, financiers, business leaders and youth advocates to explore how positive change can be accelerated to address some of the planet’s most pressing challenges.

The conference will place South and Southeast Asia at the centre of discussions on climate change, planetary health and sustainable development, highlighting the region’s exposure to environmental risks and its potential to drive meaningful transformation.

What Is the Global Tipping Points Conference 2026?

The Global Tipping Points Conference is part of an international research and policy initiative led by Professor Tim Lenton and the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter. The initiative examines critical thresholds in Earth's systems and explores how scientific understanding can be translated into practical solutions.

These positive tipping points refer to changes that can trigger wider, self-reinforcing transformations, helping accelerate climate action, clean energy adoption and ecosystem restoration.

The 2026 conference is co-chaired by the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health at Sunway University, the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter, and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).

Following previous editions at the University of Exeter in 2023 and 2025, the 2026 event will be the third edition of the conference and the first to be held in Asia.

Three Key Pillars of the Conference

GTP 2026 will be structured around three cross-cutting pillars that connect scientific research with social change and practical action.

1. Understanding the Shift

This pillar examines changes affecting the planet and society, including climate and nature risks, alongside social and economic pressures that influence health, food security and stability.

2. Igniting Imagination

The conference will explore how culture, faith, creativity and moral leadership can influence the way individuals, communities and institutions respond to major global challenges.

3. Accelerating Action

Discussions will focus on policies, investments and partnerships that can reinforce one another to create lasting momentum towards a more sustainable future.

Together, these pillars aim to connect scientific knowledge with the human, economic and institutional factors needed to accelerate positive change.

What to Expect at Global Tipping Points Conference 2026

Rather than following a conventional conference format, GTP 2026 will progress through a four-day programme designed to move from scientific understanding to collective action.

• Day One: Scientific Foundations and Leadership — Establishing the scientific foundations of positive tipping points and examining the leadership challenges involved in driving transformation.

• Day Two: People, Values and Transformation — Exploring the human conditions that shape societal change, including communications, nature, values and health.

• Day Three: Making Change Last — Examining how finance, law, social cohesion and other mechanisms can make change self-reinforcing. Discussions will also consider clean energy implications associated with the Strait of Hormuz disruption and the global AI race.

• Day Four: From Insights to Collective Action — Bringing together key findings from plenary sessions, action workshops, fireside chats and lightning talks, culminating in an outcome declaration outlining pathways towards collective action.

The programme will include 20 action workshops, offering participants opportunities to explore practical approaches to planetary health and sustainable transformation.

The conference will open with remarks by Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President of Sunway University, followed by a special keynote address by His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, Sultan of Perak.

Another programme highlight will be the Malaysian premiere screening of How to Live on Earth, a documentary produced by Open Planet Studios and narrated by award-winning actor Benedict Cumberbatch.

Why Is Hosting the Conference in Asia Significant?

Hosting GTP 2026 in Malaysia brings greater attention to the challenges and opportunities facing South and Southeast Asia as the region navigates climate risks, urbanisation, public health concerns and the transition towards more sustainable economies.

The conference aims to bring regional experiences into the global conversation while encouraging collaboration among researchers, policymakers, businesses, civil society and young people.

For Malaysia, the gathering also provides an opportunity to strengthen conversations around sustainability, climate action and the role of research and education in responding to global challenges.

Professor Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, Co-Chair of GTP 2026 and Executive Director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health at Sunway University, highlighted the importance of bringing diverse voices together to reflect South and Southeast Asia’s lived realities and accelerate positive tipping points for a healthier planet.

Prof. Chai Lay Ching, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education, Employability and Alumni) at Sunway University, said the university was proud to host the conference and bring leading minds in planetary health to its campus. She also highlighted the opportunities for students, faculty and the wider community to exchange ideas, develop collaborations and contribute to solutions for pressing global challenges.

About Sunway University

Sunway University is a private higher education institution in Malaysia with a focus on education, research, innovation and societal impact. The university works with industry and supports initiatives related to sustainable development.

According to the university's announcement, Sunway University was recognised as the number one private university in ASEAN in the AppliedHE All Asia Public & Private University Rankings 2026. It was also recognised as ASEAN's number one non-government-linked private university in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.

The university also stated that it had led Malaysia in graduate employability for the fifth consecutive year, according to Talentbank's National Graduate Employability Index.

Its involvement in GTP 2026 reflects the role of higher education institutions in bringing together research, education, policy and collaboration to address environmental and societal challenges.

For students interested in sustainability, planetary health and interdisciplinary research, the conference also offers a glimpse into how universities can contribute to discussions that extend beyond the classroom.