World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD)

What World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) does

WASD is a London-based non-profit professional association founded in 2000 that operates as a global knowledge-sharing platform focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It serves academics, researchers, policymakers, students, diaspora professionals, NGOs, and private-sector actors primarily from developing countries, with a stated mission to promote exchange of knowledge, experience, and ideas that bridge the gap between rich and poor countries. Its activities are structured around four interlocking pillars: an annual international conference (23 editions through 2025), a peer-reviewed publishing operation, a professional training academy, and a community of expert directories. The organization is led by Founding President Professor Allam Ahmed and maintains its head office in Westminster, London, with secondary event space at Queen Mary University of London.

WASD's product portfolio comprises eight peer-reviewed academic journals (WJEMSD, WJSTSD, IJIKMMENA, IJFNPH, IJSR, WJWSD, WJYSD, IJGA), seven book series including the flagship World Sustainable Development Outlook published with Greenleaf Publishing and distributed via Ingenta Connect to 1.4 million users, six regional expert directories (Global, Women, Diaspora, Arab, Africa, Sudan Who'sWho), and an SDGs Universities Platform with affiliated country-level university portals. Supporting these are annual conferences, the Diaspora International Conference series, diploma programs, masterclasses, the Smart KM consulting framework, and community programming (InFocus, Global Minds Debates, Big Interviews, Young Stars Big Ideas). The underlying technology is a conventional digital platform stack — WordPress-based publishing sites, YouTube and Zoom for video, and email — without proprietary AI/ML systems.

The business model is diversified across transactional revenue streams: conference registration fees (£125 student to £1,500 institutional), publication and processing fees (£150-£1,895), book sales (£35-£155), and multi-year training packages (SudanUNI at £1,500-£7,500). Distribution runs through WASD's own e-commerce storefront, direct event sales, institutional partnerships with universities and UN agencies (UN Joint Inspection Unit, IMO, UNOG, ICESCO, Association of African Universities), and Greenleaf Publishing wholesale. WASD is privately operated as a non-profit with no disclosed parent, equity backers, or acquisition history; its headcount is not disclosed and revenue figures are not publicly reported.

Name

World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD)

Legal name

World Association for Sustainable Development

Website

https://wasd.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WASD is a London-based non-profit founded in 2000 that operates a global knowledge-sharing platform connecting academics, policymakers, students, and diaspora communities through annual conferences, peer-reviewed journals, book series, and training programs aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Development Professional Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Certification & Credentialed Creator Programs (MPACALAI)

Keywords

• Sustainable development research
• Academic journal publishing
• Professional conference organization
• Capacity building training
• Expert networking directories

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Conference Registration Fees: Revenue from annual international conferences and seminars with registration fees ranging from £125 to £1,500 depending on participant type
2. Publication and Processing Fees: Fees for publishing in WASD journals and proceedings, ranging from £150 to £1,895
3. Book Sales: Sales of books and publications through the WASD shop, including the World Sustainable Development Outlook series and other titles ranging from £35 to £155
4. Training Programs: Revenue from workshops, masterclasses, and training programs including diploma programs and professional development courses

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WASD is a non-profit professional association that promotes knowledge exchange on sustainable development by publishing peer-reviewed journals and books, organizing annual international and diaspora conferences, and delivering professional training programs on sustainability, public policy, digital transformation, and knowledge management. It sustains expert communities through themed Who's Who directories and the SDGs Universities Platform. Revenue is generated primarily through conference registration fees, publication/processing fees, book sales, training program fees, and institutional partnerships.

Product overview

WASD operates as a multi-platform sustainable development organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of publications, conferences, training programs, and expert networks. The core offerings include eight peer-reviewed academic journals (WJEMSD, WJSTSD, IJIKMMENA, IJFNPH, IJSR, WJWSD, WJYSD, IJGA), multiple book series (World Sustainable Development Outlook, GTSD, Diaspora, MENA, Africa, Sudan, and Proceedings), annual international conferences, specialized diaspora conferences, and professional training programs covering sustainability leadership, public policy for SDGs, digital transformation, and knowledge management. Supporting these are expert directories (Global, Women, Diaspora, Arab, Africa, and Sudan Who's Who), networking initiatives (InFocus Series, Global Minds Debates, Big Interviews), and the SDGs Universities Initiative. The organization focuses on promoting exchange of knowledge and experience among academics, professionals, policymakers, and students to advance the UN Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• World Sustainable Development Outlook: Annual book series published in collaboration with Greenleaf Publishing covering global sustainable development research and perspectives.
• SDGs Universities Platform
• SDGs Who'sWho
• InFocus
• Global Minds Debates
• Young Stars Big Ideas
• Mastering Public Policy for SDGs

Products and services

• World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development (WJEMSD) Peer-reviewed academic journal publishing research on entrepreneurship, management, and sustainable development, targeted at scholars, researchers, and academic institutions.
• World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development (WJSTSD) Peer-reviewed journal covering science, technology, and sustainable-development research, including special issues on topics such as digital transformation and sustainability.
• International Journal of Innovation and Knowledge Management in Middle East and North Africa (IJIKMMENA) Specialized journal focused on innovation and knowledge management research specific to the MENA region, for scholars and practitioners working on regional development.
• International Journal of Food, Nutrition and Public Health (IJFNPH) Peer-reviewed journal publishing research at the intersection of food, nutrition, and public health, aimed at researchers and policy stakeholders.
• International Journal of Sudan Research (IJSR) Journal dedicated to research on Sudan-related development, sustainability, and socio-economic topics for scholars and diaspora researchers.
• World Journal of Women and Sustainable Development (WJWSD) Journal promoting international research on the role of women in achieving sustainable development, particularly in developing countries.
• World Journal of Youth and Sustainable Development (WJYSD) Journal focused on research about children and youth engagement in sustainable development, particularly in developing countries.
• International Journal of Gum Arabic (IJGA) Specialized journal covering research on gum arabic, an important natural resource with economic significance in Africa.
• World Sustainable Development Outlook Book Series Annual book series published in collaboration with Greenleaf Publishing, presenting comprehensive research on global sustainable development topics; distributed via Ingenta Connect to 1.4 million users.
• Global Sustainable Development (GTSD) Book Series Book series focused on global perspectives and research on sustainable development for academics and policy readers.
• Diaspora Book Series Book series dedicated to diaspora studies and the role of diaspora communities in sustainable development.
• MENA Book Series Book series focusing on Middle East and North Africa regional development, knowledge economy, and sustainable-development topics.
• Africa Book Series Book series dedicated to African development, including volumes on technology transfer, knowledge management, and business sustainability.
• Sudan Book Series Book series covering Sudan-specific development topics including reconstruction, diaspora contributions, and sustainable-development challenges.
• Conference Proceedings Conference proceedings publishing selected papers from WASD international conferences for academic and library markets.
• WASD International Annual Conferences Annual international conferences bringing together academics, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss sustainable development, science, and technology management topics aligned with UN SDGs.
• Diaspora International Conferences Specialized conferences focusing on diaspora contributions to sustainable development and knowledge transfer with countries of origin.
• Training and Capacity Building Programs Professional development programs covering sustainability leadership, public policy for SDGs, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, knowledge management, and sector-specific leadership training, including diploma programs and SudanUNI multi-year packages.
• SDGs Universities Platform Platform bringing together universities and research institutions to advance UN Sustainable Development Goals through collaborative research and knowledge sharing, including African, Arab, Gulf, Sudan, Islamic, and Women Universities networks with interactive maps.
• Global Who's Who Expert Directory Expert directory featuring leading professionals in sustainable development and SDGs from around the world, with an interactive global map.
• Women Who's Who Directory Directory showcasing influential women leaders in sustainable development and gender equality.
• Diaspora Who's Who Directory Directory of diaspora experts contributing to sustainable development in their countries of origin.
• Arab Who's Who Directory Directory of Arab experts in sustainable development from across the MENA region, with interactive map.
• Africa Who's Who Directory Directory of African experts and professionals working on sustainable development across the continent, with interactive map.
• Sudan Who's Who Directory Directory featuring Sudanese experts and professionals in sustainable development, with interactive map and a linked Sudan Doctors directory.

Quantifiable outcome

• Greenleaf Publishing books distributed to 1.4 million individual users worldwide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• United Nations Joint Inspection Unit (JIU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018WASD co-organized and co-hosted the 16th International Annual Conference and 5th Diaspora International Conference with UN JIU at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. The partnership enables presentation of JIU work to broader audiences and supports UN policy research initiatives.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMO hosted WASD conferences on AI-enabled digital transformation for SDGs. IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has participated as keynote speaker at WASD events, emphasizing the organization's role in sustainable development agenda.
• Greenleaf PublishingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWASD's World Sustainable Development Outlook book series is published in collaboration with Greenleaf Publishing. Books are sold in print and ebook formats and distributed by Ingenta Connect to 1.4 million individual users globally.
• Middle Eastern Knowledge Economy Institute (MEKEI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEKEI is a key partner in WASD's multidisciplinary platform, contributing to knowledge economy transformation initiatives and research activities. MEKEI and WASD jointly organize events and publications.
• Sudan Knowledge (SK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSK is part of the WASD ecosystem, focusing on diaspora engagement and knowledge transfer for Sudan's development. SK collaborates on International Diaspora Project and conference organization.
• Association of African Universities (AAU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed between WASD and AAU in August 2022 at Queen Mary University of London to collaborate on higher education and sustainable development initiatives across African universities.
• Queen Mary University of LondoncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerQMUL hosts WASD InFocus events and has collaborated on MOU signing with AAU. Professor Farida Fortune leads the Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine at QMUL.
• United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNOG Director-General H.E. Dr. Tatiana Valovaya delivered opening remarks at WASD's 22nd International Conference. UNOG hosted WASD 16th Conference at Palais des Nations.
• Islamic World Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (ICESCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWASD explores cooperation opportunities with ICESCO (formerly ISESCO) for collaboration between World Islamic Universities Association and WASD.
• Edinburgh Napier UniversitysecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJointly organized the 2nd Sustainability International Conference with Napier Business School in Edinburgh, UK in November 2004.
• University of East LondonsecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCo-hosted workshops on higher education and entrepreneurship with WASD, including events on UN International Day for Disaster Reduction.
• Royal Docks School of Business and LawsecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCo-hosted Future of Higher Education in Arab Countries workshop with WASD focusing on digital economy challenges and opportunities.
• UN Major Group for Children and Youth (UN MGCY)secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with WASD for Future of Higher Education in Arab Countries workshop to engage youth perspectives in sustainable development.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): WBCSD is a CEO-led, global business association on sustainable development, representing a larger, better-resourced incumbent with overlapping but broader industry scope than WASD's academic-policymaker focus.

Others

• World Resources Institute (WRI): WRI is a global research organization producing data, tools, and analysis on environmental and development challenges—adjacent to WASD's research and publication activities but operating at significantly larger scale.
• International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA): IIASA is an international research institute conducting systems analysis on global environmental, economic, and social change—comparable in academic-convening role but with a much larger research footprint than WASD.

Direct peers

• Forum for the Future: A sustainability-focused non-profit that works with businesses, governments, and civil society through research, training, and convening—similar to WASD's multi-stakeholder knowledge-sharing approach.
• Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN): SDSN is a UN-affiliated network of universities and research institutions working on the SDGs, mirroring WASD's SDGs Universities Platform and multi-stakeholder convening model across global academic institutions.
• Earth Charter Initiative: A global network promoting ethical and sustainable development principles through education, conferences, and partnerships—a values-based organization with similar convening and outreach structures to WASD.
• World Future Council: A global foundation advocating for sustainable development policy and recognizing best practices, comparable to WASD in its multi-stakeholder convening and policy-oriented mission around sustainability.
• International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD): IISD is an independent policy research think tank focused on sustainable development, producing reports, convening events, and bridging research with policy—directly comparable to WASD's academic-policy-practitioner model and SDG focus.
• International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA): IAIA is an international membership association hosting conferences, publishing journals, and providing training on impact assessment—closely mirroring WASD's conferences-publications-training model for a defined professional community.
• Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE): AASHE is a membership association advancing sustainability in higher education through conferences, publications, and resource hubs—closely analogous to WASD's focus on universities and SDGs-aligned academic communities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/WASD_news
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvqfrbcFDPFaerZZ2n8GKrQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/worldassociationSD
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wasd-org-uk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD)