The Launch of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN-ASIA) Asia Headquarters at Sunway University
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The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s (UN-SDSN) newest office in Asia will lead continent-wide sustainability initiatives and is a recognition of the region’s importance towards the sustainable development agenda. The Asia headquarters of UN-SDSN, based at Sunway University, is one of only three such global centres in the world, ranking Sunway City Kuala Lumpur alongside New York City, which oversees the Americas, and Paris, which oversees Europe and Africa.
UN-SDSN was established in 2012 under the auspices of the 8th UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon. Led by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, who served as SDG advocate to three UN secretaries-general, UN-SDSN mobilises global scientific and technological expertise towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which was adopted by the UN in 2015.
The establishment of UN-SDSN’s Asia headquarters is made possible through a generous gift of USD20 million by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation. A major portion of this fund was also used to set up the Jeffrey Sachs Centre on Sustainable Development at Sunway University, which is the only such entity in the region.
Recognising the importance of advancing the global sustainable development agenda, our keynote speakers YBhg. Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah AO and Professor Jeffrey Sachs shared valuable insights during the Fireside Chat followed by CNBC “Managing Asia” Panel Discussion moderated by Christine Tan, CNBC Award-Winning Anchor.
The launch was also celebrated with wonderful performances by the 双威大学廿四节令鼓队 Sunway University 24 Festive Drums Team and Sunway University Ensemble.
The SDSN-Asia Office at Sunway University opens opportunities for researchers, educators, policy-makers, corporate sector and community leaders to explore solutions that address the grand challenges related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and also an excellent regional platform for fostering strong collaborative research-inspired education and leadership programs in the Asian region.
