On May 23, the SDGs Arab Universities Initiative (SDGsArabUNi) was launched, aiming to unite universities and research institutions from across the 22 Arab League member states in a collaborative effort to support the United Nations' 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This initiative, part of the World Association for Sustainable Development’s (WASD) global SDGsUniversities Initiative, seeks to integrate sustainable development into the educational and research frameworks of Arab universities.
Professor Abdelkader Djefla, a member of the SDGsArabUNi advisory board, highlighted the need for this initiative, noting that many Arab universities currently lack focus on SDGs in their curricula and research agendas. The initiative aims to address these gaps by fostering greater engagement with sustainable development issues.
Founding director of SDGsArabUNi, Professor Allam Ahmed, explained that the initiative will help Arab universities align their teaching and research with the UN’s SDGs. This will involve building connections with UN agencies, integrating SDGs into curricula, and enhancing the universities’ roles in their respective national development efforts. Ahmed emphasized the goal of developing graduates equipped to tackle global sustainability challenges.
The SDGsArabUNi will collaborate closely with Arab universities to promote science, technology, and innovation in achieving the 2030 Agenda. Additionally, several regional SDGs Universities platforms have been established, including in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt.
Complementing this initiative, the "Open-source Hub: Sustainability as a Second Language" platform was launched on May 21. Backed by the Arab Youth Council for Climate Change, HSBC, and the Posterity Institute, this platform provides open educational resources on sustainability in both Arabic and English. It offers comprehensive modules on various sustainability topics, aiming to integrate SDGs into university teaching programs.
Dr. Yasar Jarrar, managing director of the Posterity Institute, stated that the Open-source Hub aims to empower Arab youth with the necessary knowledge and skills to address climate change challenges.
These initiatives respond to a recent study predicting low SDG achievement levels in the Middle East and North Africa by 2030. The study underscores the need for resource allocation and collaborative policies to enhance SDG progress in the region.
Research professor Samir Khalaf Abd-El-Aal from Egypt's National Research Centre emphasized the critical role of these educational initiatives. Given the low SDG attainment in the Arab region, these efforts are vital for equipping future generations to drive sustainable development and address regional challenges.
These initiatives mark significant steps towards boosting sustainability education and research in Arab universities, aiming to position them as key players in achieving global sustainable development goals.