Goal #17

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.

UNSW is committed to this goal and demonstrates its commitment through:

  • national and international partnerships with governments, universities and broader stakeholders on research and innovation.
  • education and development projects that focus on outcome-based sustainable development worldwide.
  • being an anchor institution in our local community,  respecting our ancient past as we partner with First Nations communities and peoples.

The Institute for Global Development (IGD) has established numerous education and research partnerships since 2016, creating new student and institutional research opportunities working with partners and communities in developing countries. With local and international partners, the IGD co-creates knowledge and translates research findings into changes that matter: generating sustainable and equitable futures for people around the world, and together working towards achieving the SDGs.

ACOSS partnership

ACOSS (the Australian Council of Social Service) and UNSW have partnered since 2017 to tackle poverty and inequality head on. The partnership works with NGOs to focus national attention on poverty and inequality through high-quality research, policy development and advocacy to effect change.

HEAL network tackles health impacts of climate change

The Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) Network is a Federal Government funded program of research focused on enhancing population wellbeing through identifying environmental factors that shape health, developmental trajectories and inequities. Its research has been translated into policy and practice - such as the City of Sydney’s strategy to plant 700 new trees annually for 10 years and reach 40% green cover by 2050.

Massive Action Sydney

Massive Action Sydney (MAS) is part of a multidisciplinary global movement drawing on our ‘collective power to design a better future now’. Its goal is to explore, reimagine and redesign solutions to critical challenges within Climate, Health and Power using innovative approaches. MAS is a partnership between the UNSW Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture Innovation Hub and the Massive Change Network. 

International Universities Climate Alliance

Established by UNSW in 2020, the IUCA represents leading climate research universities from 25 countries across six regions, with its Secretariat currently hosted in Australia by UNSW. Members include universities that encompass thousands of the world’s most accomplished climate researchers, including hundreds who have worked as authors of reports for the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Torch Innovation Partnerships

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang & Former Australian PM, Malcolm Turnbull

Torch Innovation Partnerships bring together industry representatives, small to medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers from around the world to the UNSW campus. Between 2016 and 2019, this resulted in $76M worth of contracts.

PLuS Alliance renews global partnership

PLuS Alliance is a global partnership between UNSW, Arizona State University and King’s College London, combining the strengths of three global universities to create sustainable futures, solve global problems and increase access to education. Researchers from the three partners collaborate to pursue solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges underpinned by the SDGs.

Impact X Summit

In November 2022, students, staff and researchers from UNSW joined industry specialists at the 'COP27 and Beyond' research showcase in Sydney. Part of the Impact X Climate Summit, it highlighted Australia’s university-led research contribution to the global response to climate change. Panel topics included protecting community wellbeing, supporting blue and green economies, Australia’s role in global climate security and raising ambition on climate solutions.

NUW Alliance: Women, Infrastructure and Sustainability

The NUW Alliance launched the the Six Cities Region Vision in October 2022. 

Governments, community and industry are planning on a larger scale to achieve greater cohesion, momentum and impact. The ‘Six Cities Region’, spanning Newcastle, Wollongong and Greater Sydney, represents Australia’s greatest opportunity for realising transformative, sustainable and inclusive development in the decades ahead. The NUW Alliance is committed to realising that potential for the communities it serves.

UN meeting on SDGs in Bangkok

In August 2022 UNSW development leaders and experts, facilitated by the UNSW Institute for Global Development, participated in an introductory meeting between UNSW and the regional UN Development Coordination Office in Bangkok to discuss the SDGs and begin an ongoing knowledge partnership.

UNSW Global Water Institute

World leader in water research, innovation and problem solving. The Institute draws on water expertise across UNSW to create the Nation’s most advanced water knowledge hub.

The Kirby Institute

Leading global research institute dedicated to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.Their research projects are conducted in partnership with communities most affected by epidemics.

UNSW builds high-level engagement in Timor-Leste

A senior delegation from UNSW travelled to Timor-Leste in 2023, as part of broader efforts to achieve societal impact in the region. The visit built on the University’s long history of engagement with Timor-Leste and sought to amplify UNSW’s role as a critical intermediary and strategic advisor for governments, the UN, regional universities and civil society.

Senior representatives from UNSW Engineering, Medicine & Health, the Sustainable Development Reform Hub, the Global Water Institute and the Institute for Global Development travelled to Dili to strengthen the University’s existing partnerships and explore new opportunities for ongoing engagement.

UNSW Strategy in Action 2025

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UNSW 2025 Strategy Update

This document celebrates the key achievements of the first phase of the 2025 Strategy, highlighting where we have come from and where we are now. It also updates the framework against which we will assess, track and measure existing and new strategic initiatives over the next five years.

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UNSW Annual Reports

Informing, engaging and leading through critical thinking, evidence and debate.

PLuS Alliance

The PLuS Alliance combines the strengths of three leading research universities on three continents – Arizona State University, King’s College London and UNSW Sydney – to solve global challenges and increase access to world-class higher education in high-need areas.

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Sydney Institute of Marine Science

Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) is a collaborative venture between four Sydney Universities, including UNSW, and numerous state and federal government departments.

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Diplomacy Training Program

The Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) is an independent, Australian NGO affiliated with UNSW committed to advancing human rights and empowering civil society in the Asia Pacific region.

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Education partnerships

Partnerships are central to the work of the UNSW School of Education and we place immense value on our collaborative working relationships with a range of key partners, including Australian and international universities, schools, teachers, principals, professional organisations and the wider community served by our university.    

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NUW Alliance

The NUW Alliance comprises four leading Australian research-intensive universities – the University of Newcastle, UNSW, the University of Wollongong and Western Sydney University. The mission of the NUW Alliance is to seek out the big collaborations that unlock new value, impact and benefit for our communities across NSW.

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Community Led Development in Walgett NSW

Yuwaya Ngarra-li is a community-led partnership between the Dharriwaa Elders Group and UNSW to improve the wellbeing, social, built and physical environment and life pathways of Aboriginal people in Walgett through collaborating on evidence-based initiatives, research and capacity building.

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UNSW Community Outreach

Community at UNSW is one of the cornerstones of our mission. We wish to make an impact on contemporary issues by being recognised as a key source of expertise in local communities, ensuring vibrant and growing partnerships with industry and community organisations.

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Community programs and services

Many campus events are proudly supported by Randwick Council, and UNSW is a major sponsor of Randwick District Rugby Union Football Club. There is also a variety of on-campus programs and services available to students, staff and the local community.

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Volunteers United

The Volunteers United operates as an entry-level opportunity for students seeking to increase their social impact by connecting them with volunteering opportunities and fostering student engagement with the wider community.

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University Social Responsibility Network

UNSW is a foundation member of the USRN, a network established in 2015, bringing together a group of thought leaders to exchange ideas, resources, practices of varied scope and scale to steer global discussion and development of university social responsibility in higher education.

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Talloires Declaration

UNSW is a signatory institution of the Talloires Declaration, ‘the first official statement made by university presidents, chancellors, and rectors of a commitment to environmental sustainability in higher education.'

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Institute of Global Finance (IGF)

The Institute of Global Finance (IGF) works closely with organisations across the world, including the Volatility & Risk Institute at NYU Stern Business School, major regional research centres in the Asia-Pacific, and financial industry bodies and regulators.

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UNSW Sustainable Development Goals 2022 Report

This report outlines UNSW's performance against the SDGs in 2022.

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More SDGs

Goal #1

No poverty
End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Goal #2

Zero hunger
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. 

Goal #3

Good health and well-being
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.