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The 2026 SDSN University Presidents Meetings: Reflection on the Impact and Role of Higher Education on Sustainable Development

By SDSN Networks

The SDSN’s University Presidents Meetings Underscore the Importance of Universities’ Role in Advancing the SDGs and Reflect on the Impacts of AI on Higher Education and Research

Convened by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) throughout October 2026, the fourth virtual University Presidents Meetings (UPMs) brought together university Presidents, Chancellors, rectors, and other executive academic leadership; representatives from the United Nations and national governments; and SDSN Network Chairs, Managers, and SDSN Leadership Council members to examine the evolving role of higher education in advancing sustainable development.

Participants discussed strengthening regional cooperation, reinforcing the science-policy interface, and harnessing the transformative potential of new technologies to shape the future of higher education, research, and innovation. The discussions also explored the implications of a new UN Secretary-General, universities' contributions to the next phase of global development beyond 2030, and collaborative pathways to accelerate evidence-based solutions, multilateral cooperation, and long-term sustainability action.

In total, the SDSN convened over 450 university leaders and delegates from around 120 countries.

Key Insights From the Four Regional Meetings

Throughout the meetings, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, President of the SDSN, shared that challenges such as energy and land-use transformations, artificial intelligence (AI), urbanization, and universal access to quality education and healthcare require a “system of systems” approach to research and teaching. He also encouraged universities to integrate sustainability across disciplines, develop relevant master’s and doctoral programs, and ensure every student engages in coursework on global challenges and sustainable development.

Similarly, during the Europe, Middle East, Central and South Asia UPM on October 6, Mr. Qun Chen, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, stressed that "Universities are central to building sustainable futures, generating much of the evidence that shapes policy at the national, regional, and international levels. Sustainability challenges do not stop at the borders. So our response must be multilateral.”

The four regional convenings gave University Presidents and delegates an opportunity to exchange perspectives on the impacts of AI in their daily work. Several guest speakers and participants recognized the opportunities offered by technological innovation, as well as the risks of widening digital inequalities, weakening foundational learning, concentrating technological infrastructure, and undermining human agency. They overwhelmingly called for responsible institutional governance, stronger human capabilities, and multilateral cooperation. As Ms. Christine Arab, Regional Director of UN Women for Asia and the Pacific, stated, “An AI system that produces discriminatory outcomes is unacceptable. Safety, dignity, and equality are non-negotiable points.”

These priorities align with a broader acknowledgment that AI readiness is an institutional capacity that extends beyond technological adoption. In the report “From Ambition to Adoption: Insights into University AI Readiness from Around the World,” IREX and Development Gateway define AI readiness “as the extent to which universities are able to leverage AI tools to systematically, sustainably and ethically improve teaching and learning experiences, research, and strategic and operational outcomes.”

During the Americas UPM on October 27, Prof. Juan Camilo Cardenas, Director of the SDG Center for Latin America and the Caribbean, argued that “The silos of the SDGs are not useful for the future of this agenda, post-2030…If we don't get to talk about the interactions and interdependencies across the SDGs, we're going to continue to be stuck…The greatest challenge that humanity is facing right now is the transgressions of the planetary boundaries. How are we going to come back to those [boundaries]?” He also highlighted that universities are resilient institutions that have been in existence for 800 years, while insisting that the same resilience should now foster ways of thinking and working that challenge institutional resistance to change.

As part of her keynote address, "The Monopoly in the Mirror: Universities, the Multilateral Order, and the Covenant We Owe the Next Generation," during the Africa UPM on October 22, Dr. Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili — Founder and President of Human Capital Africa (HCA), former Minister of Education of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and member of the SDSN’s Board of Directors — reinforced the idea that “Our task is not to build more universities. It is to build more capable universities. Not to produce more graduates, but more human capability. Not to publish more research, but more useful knowledge. Not to form more partnerships, but partnerships that build enduring institutional capacity. Not to be represented in the post-2030 conversation, but to help define its priorities.”

Universities are laboratories and catalysts for change, providing skills and knowledge to create a more sustainable world and directly contributing to the 2030 Agenda. The initiatives shared by participants spanned from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s Biodiversity and Nature-Based Solutions Hub for education, research, and innovation; to the University of Massachusetts Boston’s institute dedicated to optimizing and democratizing the critical, ethical, and responsible use of AI.

Resources and Initiatives for Higher Education

The SDSN provides resources and support to universities, helping them connect globally, enhance curricula, and engage in sustainable development projects.

  • Getting started with the SDGs in Universities: A guide to help universities, higher education institutions, and the academic sector accelerate their contributions to the SDGs.
  • Accelerating Education for the SDGs in Universities: A Guide for Universities, Colleges, and Tertiary and Higher Education Institutions
  • Net Zero on Campus: A Guide and Accompanying Toolkit for Universities and Colleges to Accelerate Climate Action Worldwide
  • SDSN Youth: One of the world’s largest networks of young leaders dedicated to shaping a sustainable world for future generations.
  • SustainChain™: A public service platform purpose-built to support networks working toward the SDGs. The online community connects key stakeholders to scale solutions and share learnings and best practices across the global sustainability ecosystem.

The SDSN continues to support higher education institutions in accelerating the implementation of the SDGs. Visit the SDSN’s website to explore previous UPM meetings, including those in 2024 and in 2022. You can also learn more about the Networks program and SDSN membership.