The University of Pretoria (UP) is proud to host the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) South Africa.

Set up in 2012 under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, the SDSN mobilises the world’s academic and research institutes, leveraging their strengths to promote practical solutions for sustainable development.

The network focuses on three key areas:

1. Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement by providing support for governments in understanding the challenges of sustainable development;
2. Promoting practical solution initiatives and long-term pathways for sustainable development; and
3. Promoting high-quality education and research collaboration for sustainable development.

Guided by a transdisciplinary leadership council, the SDSN pursues its mission by working with UN agencies, multilateral financing institutions, the private sector and civil society. The SDSN has more than 1 500-member institutions that are organised into networks at national and regional level, which currently number 40 in total.

While there are seven South African member institutions, the country has not had a national network, until now.

The national network will launch on 2 March 2022, and its first member meeting is being planned for September during Africa Week.

The purpose of a national or regional SDSN is to mobilise universities, research centres, civil society organisations, businesses and other knowledge centres around practical problem-solving for sustainable development unique to their local contexts and challenges. Each national/regional SDSN is coordinated by one or more host institution(s), which have a strong, demonstrated track record of working on issues related to sustainable development. These institutions house the national/regional SDSN Secretariat, convene universities and institutions in the country or region, and promote the activities of the global network.

UP is a champion of academic research and a leader in technological advancements. Becoming national network host is an excellent opportunity to leverage the skills of experts and academics of all South African SDSN members in striving to achieve the SDGs nationwide and localise Agenda 2030.

At the helm of SDSN South Africa is the local Leadership Council, representing various sectors and headed by Network Chair UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe. The Secretariat of SDSN South Africa consists of Network Manager Dr Yolande Steenkamp of the Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute and Deputy Network Manager Jonathan Tager of UP’s Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].