The first of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals is to end poverty in all its forms everywhere – but what are the key obstacles to achieving this aim, and what should be the immediate priorities in London, across the UK and internationally?

Join King's College London and the Policy Institute at Mansion House as expert speakers take part in the Lord Mayor's "Coffee Colloquies" series to explore SDG #1 – No Poverty – through analysis of pressing areas, including race equity, healthcare access, global development strategies, the cost of living crisis and more.

With each speaker given just four minutes to present on their area of focus, the Coffee Colloquies series brings together voices from across London and around the world to share how their work supports the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It revives the City of London's coffee house tradition by fostering dialogue and collaboration on critical global challenges.

King's College London is delighted to join organisations, including the Royal Society, Chatham House and the Law Society, in being invited by the Lord Mayor to deliver a Coffee Colloquy. We hope you can join us.

Speakers

• Shabna Begum, CEO, the Runnymede Trust

• Suzanne Hall, Director of Engagement, the Policy Institute at King’s College London

• Kari Jaldin, Living Wage Organiser, Citizens UK and Leader, Empoderando Familias, King’s College London

• Dr Aqil Jaigirdar, Founder and Chairman, Maa Global and King's Alumnus

• Louise James, Managing Director, Accenture Development Partnerships

• Stella Opoku-Owusu, Executive Director, African Foundation for Development (AFFORD)

• Dr Eduardo Ortiz-Juarez, Lecturer in Development Economics, King’s College London

• Will Snell, Chief Executive, the Fairness Foundation

• Professor Sir Myles Wickstead, Visiting Professor of International Development, King’s College London

Hosted by Alderman Tim Hailes, King’s alumnus and subject to election, Lord Mayor of the City of London, 2026-27. The event will be chaired by Professor Bobby Duffy, Director of the Policy Institute at King’s.

If you are interested in attending, please email the Policy Institute at policy-institute-events@kcl.ac.uk. Places will be confirmed via email. 

Agenda

8.45: Arrival and coffee

9.15: Welcome from Alderman Tim Hailes

9.20: Panel presentations and Q&A

10.30: Networking and coffee

11.15: End of event