The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) will hold the 2026 HESI Global Forum, a special event of the UN High-Level Political Forum 2026 (HLPF), under the theme "Reimagining Higher Education for Global Transformation toward a Sustainable Future." It will examine how higher education institutions can move from commitment to implementation, and highlight how they embed sustainability while upholding principles of equity and inclusion.
The HESI Global Forum aims to emphasize the role of universities as knowledge producers, conveners and co-creators of knowledge. This year, the forum will focus on the contributions of higher education to SDGs under in-depth review at the 2026 HLPF: SDGs 6 (clean water and sanitation), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 17 (partnerships for the Goals) and the cross-cutting role of SDG 4.7 on education for sustainable development.
The event will generate key messages and practical recommendations on how higher education can accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It will also inform an upcoming publication that will synthesize emerging priorities, showcase practical examples and identify pathways for strengthening sustainability in higher education.
Participation
The HESI Global Forum is open to the public. Please register to participate.
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Background
Each year, the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) organizes a global forum as a special event at the HLPF to highlight the critical role of higher education in achieving sustainable development. HESI is a partnership between several UN entities and the higher education community, currently chaired by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), UNU, UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC) and the Sulitest Association. Other UN partners include UNESCO, UN Environment Programme, UN Global Compact’s Principles for Responsible Management Education initiative, UN-HABITAT, UNCTAD, UNITAR, UN Office for Partnerships and UN Academic Impact.
