News
Read below IAU news both from the Association and from its Members. Search or filter news by category (IAU or Member News), as well as by subject matter.
Category
Education for Sustainable Development – Launch of new UNESCO Guidance Tools with IAU
The IAU is pleased to announce that on 17 September 2026, UNESCO launched 3 new guidance tools for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) during an online event.
Discussions on the Transformative Impact of Education
From 26-28 August, Isabel Toman, IAU Senior Programme Officer for Higher Education and Sustainable Development (HESD) attended and presented a paper at the 2026 Higher Education Summit.
The Maldives National University Awarded IAU RFI Fee Waiver 2026
The IAU is excited to announce that Maldives National University (MNU) has received the annual IAU Responsible Futures International Fee Waiver to participate in the RFI 2026-2027 cohort, starting in October.
Advancing Education and Science for Sustainable Development
In July 2026, the IAU actively participated in two pivotal UNESCO events this July: the Transforming Education Summit +4 (TES+4) and the 2026 Global Conference on the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD 2024–2033).
Sustainability Spaces – EUA Podcast Series
The European University Association (EUA) is pleased to share the launch of Sustainability Spaces, a new podcast series exploring how universities are shaping the future of sustainability within and beyond the campus.
University of Costa Rica (UCR) to host the PLEA 2026 International Conference
With this event, Costa Rica becomes the first Central American country to host this global meeting under the leadership of the IAU Member University of Costa Rica (UCR).
Advancing Women’s Leadership in European Higher Education Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
On 10 June 2026, the European Women Rectors Association (EWORA) convened its annual conference in Brussels, bringing together women academic leaders from Europe and beyond under the theme: “Women’s Leadership in Academia in Times of Rising Geopolitical Tensions”. The event provided a critical space to reflect on the role of universities in upholding democracy, academic freedom, and international cooperation—values under pressure in an era of fragmentation and uncertainty.
Université Catholique de Lille to Lead the IAU HESD Subcluster Work on SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The International Association of Universities (IAU) and Université Catholique de Lille are pleased to announce that Université Catholique de Lille has confirmed the leadership and coordination of the IAU Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD) Subcluster on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequalities.
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.”
Responsible Futures International Fee Waiver 2026
Since 2025, the IAU offers one fee waiver to cover the participation of one IAU Member HEI for the Responsible Futures International programme.
HESD Global Cluster: Expert Meeting 2026
Building Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development: The IAU HESD Cluster and the Road Ahead to 2030
UNESCO ESD-NET Europe–North America Regional Workshop: Strengthening Collaboration for ESD for 2030
The International Association of Universities (IAU) was pleased to part in the UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Regional Meeting held from 21-23 January 2026 in Bucharest, Romania.
Launch of the 4th IAU Global Survey on HESD
The IAU is pleased to announce that it will conduct the 4th Global Survey on Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development in 2026.
University of Ilorin Awarded IAU RFI Grant
We are thrilled to announce that our Member the University of Ilorin has been awarded the IAU Fee Waiver 2025/26 to participate in the Responsible Futures International Programme- becoming the first higher education institution in Nigeria to join the programme.
Charting New Horizons for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
From 19-21 November 2025, the IAU co-facilitated a dynamic workshop at the conference Charting New Horizons for Education for Sustainable Development.
Call for IAU Members to join the IAU HESD Cluster (SDG 9, 10, 15)
The IAU HESD Cluster is seeking new IAU Member institutions to join its global community and actively contribute to several SDG-focused working groups. The following subcluster groups are currently welcoming new members:
Shaping the Future of Higher Education for Innovation and Sustainable Development in Africa
The International Association of Universities (IAU) was proud to participate in the 16th Quadrennial General Conference of the Association of African Universities (AAU), taking place this week in Rabat, Morocco. Held under the theme “Shaping the Future of Higher Education for Innovation and Sustainable Development in Africa,” the conference provides a vital platform for reflection, exchange, and collaboration among higher education leaders from across the African continent and beyond.
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.