Sustainable, Inclusive, Science- and Evidence-Based Solutions for the 2030 Agenda
From 14 to 23 July 2025, the IAU actively participated in the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), held under the theme “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for leaving no one behind.” With a focus on SDG 3 (Health), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships), the Forum provided a key opportunity to highlight the transformative potential of higher education institutions (HEIs) in advancing the 2030 Agenda.
A Strong IAU Delegation and Active Engagement
The IAU delegation was led by Secretary General Dr. Hilligje van’t Land and Senior Programme Officer for Sustainable Development Isabel Toman. They were joined by long-standing partners, including Dr. Gunnar Köhlin and Tina Parasto Afshari from the Environment for Development (EfD) initiative at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Fanta Aw, Executive Director of NAFSA; Katrin Kohl and Charles Hopkins, UNESCO Co-Chairs in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability at York University, Canada; Noah Sobe, Chief of Section of Higher Education, UNESCO; Svein Stolen, Rector of the University of Oslo, Norway; and Yume Yamaguchi from United Nations University, amongst others.
Throughout the week, the delegation contributed to numerous official and side events, facilitated knowledge exchange among international stakeholders, and reaffirmed the indispensable role of HEIs in fostering evidence-based policy, sustainability, and inclusive development.
Highlight: Side Event on SDG 8 – A Global Conversation on Inclusive Growth
On 22 July, IAU co-hosted a key side event titled “Accelerating Decent Work and Inclusive Economic Growth (SDG 8) Through Higher Education and Research.” Organized in partnership with the International Labour Organisation, Gothenburg University in Sweden, University College Dublin in Ireland, UN Academic Impact, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and its SDG Academy, and the Universities of Auckland, Nigeria Nsukka and Makerere, this session brought together international voices to explore how universities can contribute to decent employment and sustainable economies.
Dr. van’t Land delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the power of higher education as both an engine of innovation and a foundation for equity. Tina Parasto Afshari highlighted EfD’s efforts to integrate sustainability in research agendas, while other panellists showcased global models linking academia with inclusive development.
Engaging with Multilateral Stakeholders
IAU’s presence extended beyond side events. The delegation engaged in strategic meetings with peers and partners, including representatives from Yale University, University of Bergen, CIFAL Saudi Arabia, and the UN Academic Impact (UNAI). IAU also took part in the launch of the Major Group Organizing Partners Handbook during a session on multilateralism, where universities were recognized as vital contributors to global governance.
IAU also participated in the Higher Education Symposium organized by partners from Norway, which provided a platform to discuss the intersection of internationalization, sustainability, and digital transformation in higher education.
Advocacy Through the Global HESD Network
In parallel to in-person engagements, IAU promoted the voices of its Global Higher Education for Sustainable Development (HESD) Cluster through the HESI (Higher Education Sustainability Initiative) virtual session on 21 July. The session showcased collective actions by universities worldwide, reaffirming their role in addressing complex, interlinked challenges.
As the coordinator of the Global HESD Cluster, the IAU provides space for institutions to share good practices, align with the SDGs, and influence global sustainable development policy.
Looking Ahead: IAU’s Continued Commitment
HLPF 2025 marked a renewed call to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda, and the IAU reinforced its commitment to ensuring higher education remains central in this global effort. With its extensive network of members and partners, the IAU will continue advocating for the recognition of HEIs as key actors in sustainability—locally, nationally, and internationally.
