HLPF 2023

SDG 11: Progress, challenges, lessons learned and tools for sustainable transformation of cities - 14 July

As in previous years, IAU’s proposal to hold a virtual workshop as part of the UN DESA 2023 SDGs Learning, Training and Practice Workshops was successful. This year’s event focused on SDG 11: Sustainable Cities, and in particular the role of universities in contributing to a sustainable city and building partnerships with local actors and communities.

Partners: Sustainable Cities Institute (Brazil), World Blind Union (WBU), UNIBO and University of Paris Saclay.

Session 9, 8.30am-10.00am ET/ 2.30pm-4pm CEST (Session description here)
More information and Recording here

2023 HESI Global Forum - 17 July

The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) is a partnership between several United Nations entities and the higher education community, currently chaired by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). IAU and many other UN agencies, associations, and higher education institutions are part of the HESI initiative. Each year, HESI organizes a global forum as a special event to the HLPF to highlight the critical role of higher education in achieving sustainable development.

17 July, 10am-1pm ET/ 4pm-7pm CEST (Conference Room 2, United Nations Headquarters, New York and virtual)
Learn more about the hybrid event, programme, and event recording here.

2023 International Green Gown Awards Ceremony - 17 July

The International Green Gown Awards Ceremony, took place virtually on 17 July. More information on this year’s finalists and registration available here.
IAU is pleased to be a longstanding partner of HESI and the IGGAs.

Community and Partnership Based Approaches to Capacity Building in the Water Sector - 18 July

Recognizing that research, knowledge transfer, and community engagement are essential for the achievement of all of the Sustainable Development Goals, and that SDG 6 is under review at this year’s HLPF, the "How we know what we know about water: Community and partnership-based approaches to capacity building in the water sector" side event, which took place on July 18, 8am-9.30 ET, 2pm-3.30pm CEST explored best practices in water sector capacity building from around the world, including a focus on partnerships (with educational institutions, local governments, NGOs, etc.) as an accelerator for action.

The event brought together experts from across the global networks of the International Association of Universities, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the Global Water Partnership, representing higher education, policy, and practice, who presented and discussed innovative approaches to, and the remaining needs of, capacity building in the sector.

The virtual event was co-organized by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), the Global Water Partnership (GWP) and the IAU.
More information on the concept note here.

IAU at the HLPF

IAU has Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) which enables participation in this High-Level event. While 2019 was the first year that IAU participated in the HLPF in New York (IAU secretariat with a delegation of 18 Members), in the years before IAU was represented by its Members (and in particular through the University of Bergen, Norway). Read about it in the 2019 HLPF Report. In 2020, 2021, and 2022, participation in the HLPF was virtual. Find out more about IAU’s participation in previous years by clicking on the boxes 2019, 2020 2021, and 2022 below.

Follow us for updates on the UN HLPF also here:

• HESD Portal
• Twitter @IAU_AIU @IAU_HESD,
• UN livestream