UQ joins UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network

The University of Queensland has formally joined the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) to contribute to fighting extreme poverty and sustaining the planet.

The network brings together scientific and technical expertise from academia, civil society and the private sector in support of sustainable development problem-solving at local, national and global levels.

UQ Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) Chair in Sustainable Development Professor Saleem Ali, who will represent UQ on the network, said UQ was  well-positioned to share  its broad expertise in sustainability with the world as well as at home.

“World leaders, including Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, met over the weekend to ratify 17 sustainable development goals,” he said.

“These goals are aimed at improving the quality of life, not just here is Australia, but in developing countries within our region.

“This presents a great opportunity for UQ to share our skills and help to achieve these goals.”

Professor Ali said goals of interest to Australia included gender equality, sustainable energy and reducing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

The SDSN was launched in 2012 and has developed its goals in consultation with a range of organisations, including SMI.

Areas of UQ involved in the network are the Global Change Institute, the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences and the Institute for Social Science Research’s Social Wellbeing, Health and Housing Research Program.

Media: Professor Saleem Ali, s.ali3@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 4043.