The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) was launched in 2012 by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to mobilize global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical problem solving for sustainable development and implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Following their adoption, SDSN is now committed to supporting the implementation of the SDGs at national and international levels.
SDSN aims to accelerate joint learning and help to overcome the separation of technical and policy work by promoting integrated approaches to the interconnected economic, social, and environmental challenges confronting the world. SDSN works closely with United Nations agencies, multilateral financing institutions, the private sector, and civil society.
The organization and governance of SDSN enables leaders from all regions to participate in the development of the network, while at the same time ensuring effective structures for decision making and accountability.
United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) collaborates with SDSN to promote the implementation and achievement of the SDGSs, particularly SDG 4 on quality education. As a part of the collaboration, UNAI and SDSN mobilize universities and other institutions of higher learning to promote teaching, applied research, and problem solving on a range of issues. The organizations co-host academic events and seminars which bring together members of the UN family and academia to discuss specific issues of research and policy relevant to the UN’s objectives, including the SDGs.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon applauded the partnership: “Realizing the bold 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will require new global partnerships. Both United Nations Academic Impact and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network are engaging with the academic community to promote, respectively, the values of the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals. I welcome their collaboration as an important new way to mobilize universities in our historic effort to realize a life of dignity for all.”