IAU at the HLPF 2026
From 7 to 15 July 2026, the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) will be held under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. The 2026 Forum will focus on the theme “Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for a sustainable future for all.”
This year’s review focused on SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). For the IAU, the HLPF provides a unique opportunity to highlight the transformative potential of higher education institutions (HEIs) in advancing the 2030 Agenda and to reinforce the role of universities as key actors in sustainability, equity, and evidence-based policymaking.
Find the official HLPF 2026 programme here, and the side event programme (on site and online) here.
This page will be updated on a regular basis with events of relevance for Higher Education Stakeholders.
Virtual Side Event - 8 July
Sustainable Cities and Higher Education: Partners and Accelerators for Sustainable Transformation
Co-Organised by the IAU, Siam University (IAU HESD Cluster Lead for SDG 11 ), Mykolas Romeris University, and the Global Student Forum (GSF), this event forms part of the official side event programme of the HLPF.
Higher education institutions, together with their students and civil society partners, are essential actors in advancing the 2026 HLPF theme by accelerating inclusive, science-informed, and community-driven action for sustainable development. This session will focus on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and the vital contribution of universities in shaping sustainable and greener, more resilient, and more inclusive and equitable urban futures through education, research, innovation, and civic engagement.
The discussion will highlight how universities are working with youth and student networks, municipalities, and local communities to co-create solutions for sustainable mobility, affordable housing, climate adaptation, public spaces, social inclusion, and digital innovation. Particular attention will be given to student-led initiatives, youth participation in urban governance, and campus-city partnerships that turn higher education institutions into living laboratories for sustainable cities.
HESI Event (online) - 9 July
On 9 July 2026 (virtually), the 2026 HESI Global Forum, held as a special event to the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), will be convened under the theme “Reimagining Higher Education for Global Transformation toward a Sustainable Future.” In line with the 2026 HLPF focus on transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the Forum will explore how higher education can serve as a catalyst for global solutions, systemic change and inclusive sustainable development.
More information and registration
Global Higher Education Symposium II - 13 July
To respond to challenges identified in a consultation conducted in 2025, and following discussions at the first GHES in July 2025, UN Academic Impact along with partners Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), International Science Council (ISC), International Association of Universities, German Center for Research and Innovation New York (DWIH), York University (Canada), UNESCO, UNITAR, and the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) will convene the second Global Higher Education Symposium on 13th July. IAU Secretary General Dr. Hilligje van’t Land will be presenting at this event, co-organised by the IAU.
Read about the GHES 2025 here.
More information will follow shortly.
