At the University of Illinois System Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, System President Tim Killeen announced for the first time that the system will host the 2025 Sustainability, Research and Innovation Congress in Chicago.

The congress is described on its website as “the world’s largest transdisciplinary gathering for the global sustainability community.”

Killeen said that a formal announcement will be issued shortly.

“It’s the first time that the Sustainability Congress has ever come to the United States,” Killeen explained in his address to the board. “And no — it is not going to an Ivy League. It’s coming here.”

Killeen said that the conference solidifies the University’s reputation as a leader in sustainability innovation.

“This is a really big deal for the city, the state and the region,” Killeen said. “SRI at its core brings together the leading figures on sustainability from around the world.”

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