SDG 17: Partnerships For The Goals 

Goal 17 aims to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.

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$25.9
million donation

UNSW received a record from the Swire Group which enables the Kirby Institute to screen and treat more than a hundred thousand women in seven Pacific countries.

1st
for knowledge exchange

UNSW ranked first in Australia for Knowledge Exchange, under the Social Impact category of the 2024 QS Sustainability Rankings.

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SDG grants

UNSW awarded five PhD Business School students wtih $4000 grants to further their SDG-related research.

UNSW held its inaugural SDG Showcase during Global Goals week, to bring together the very best and brightest minds at UNSW and shine a light on the work being done to progress the SDGs.

Our work 

Centres, institutes and partnerships 

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.

Office of Global Affairs

UNSW’s Office of Global Affairs (UOGA) leads the UNSW Global Strategy, which seeks to positively impact society around the world. In support of the strategy, UOGA has hosted more than 25 international delegations and launched projects and initiatives in China, Fiji, India, PNG, Singapore and Timor-Leste. 

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Institute for Global Development

The Institute for Global Development (IGD), part of the UOGA, has established numerous education and research partnerships since 2016, creating new student and institutional research opportunities working with partners and communities in developing countries. 

International Universities Climate Alliance

Hosted at UNSW, the IUCA represents leading climate research universities from 25 countries across six regions. 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).

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ACOSS partnership

The Poverty and Inequality Partnership between ACOSS (the Australian Council of Social Service) and UNSW aims to sharpen the national focus on poverty and inequality in Australia and stimulate action to tackle policy challenges.

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The Kirby Institute

Working globally to eliminate infectious diseases, the Institute has played a critical role in the Asia-Pacific response to the global HIV epidemic and led Australia to the verge of stopping HIV transmission altogether. 

Engaging in 984 collaborations in 52 countries, regional partnerships and communities are at the centre of its research. 

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Tackling the health impacts of climate change
HEAL network

The HEAL Network is a government-funded research program enhancing population wellbeing through identifying environmental factors that shape health, developmental trajectories and inequities. Its research has been translated into policy, such as the City of Sydney’s annual goal to plant 700 new trees and reach 40% green cover by 2050.

SDSN membership

UNSW is a member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific – a global initiative for the United Nations. SDSN mobilises local knowledge to advance viable solutions to the SDG challenges in the Australasia region.

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Massive Action Sydney

Massive Action Sydney is part of a multidisciplinary global movement with the goal 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. 

Anti-Poverty Week 2024

Speakers from UNSW, ACOSS and Uniting NSW/ACT explore how we can address poverty through advocacy and academic partnerships, in this video produced as part of Anti-Poverty Week 2024.

Global Sustainable Development Congress 

In partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, UNSW hosted two flagship events at the THE GSDC 2024 in Bangkok.

Human rights fellowships

The Australian Human Rights Institute's Global Student Fellowship Program gives UNSW students the opportunity to undertake a fellowship with a leading international development or human rights-based organisation.

UNDCO knowledge partnership

UNSW recognises the enormous potential of partnering with the United Nations and with other universities, industry and government to develop real solutions to advance the SDGs.

Since 2022 UNSW has an institutional knowledge partnership with the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) Asia-Pacific, a collaboration intended to accelerate the SDGs in the region.

In 2023, UNSW welcomed UNDCO for a series of tours and discussions, demonstrating the University’s commitment to partnerships for social impact. The visit included discussion around support for persons with disabilities in Papua New Guinea, and post-conflict development in Timor Leste, as well as exploration of the role of Australian universities in supporting the UN in the region in the lead-up to COP31 on climate in 2026.  

Centre for Ideas 

The UNSW Centre for Ideas presents a thought-provoking program of event and digital content, bringing the globe’s leading thinkers to UNSW and presenting UNSW to the world. Events grapple with the big questions and topics facing our world in the 21st century including the SDGs, climate change, technological disruption and global politics, and provide an open platform for public debate and the sharing of knowledge.

UNSW Founders

Hult Prize

The Hult Prize is a global social enterprise competition for university students, supported by UNSW Founders.

It is focused on helping the brightest future leaders put their energy into solving the biggest issues facing the planet, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). 

Hear from the 2024 UNSW Hult Prize finalists Jacinta May, Co-Founder of Pikkl and Matt Gordon, Co-Founder of Innersteps.

SDG Challenge   

Run by UNSW Founders in partnership with the Poverty and Inequality Partnership, this 2024 event challenged students to find real-world and innovative solutions to ensuring access to adequate, safe and affordable housing by 2030, in line with SDG 11 targets.

Ten UNSW teams competed for A$3500 in prizes, with mentoring from a panel of UNSW and industry experts.

Global dialogue on ocean accounting 

Hosted by UNSW Sustainable Development Reform Hub, the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership led the 4th Global Dialogue on Ocean Accounting. Bringing together delegates from 73 countries, it explored how ocean accounting can be used to meet international and regional climate and biodiversity commitments, and address challenges to our marine environments.

Measuring air quality in the Pacific

L-R: USP Tonga Campus Director Dr Robin Havea, with UNSW researchers Jimmy Hilly, Dr Andrew Dansie & Khadija Al Nabhani.

UNSW research found air quality in the urban areas of the Solomon Islands and Fiji has deteriorated since 2018, with increasing incidences of human respiratory illness. In partnership with Pacific and international partners, this project supports in-country efforts to continuously monitor air quality and inform local decision-making.

A team led by UNSW expanded the project to include Tonga in 2022 and Vanuatu in 2023. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Health advancements in the Pacific

2023 was significant for the Eliminating Cervical Cancer in the Western Pacific (ECCWP) program, a major collaboration for which the Kirby Institute is in-country implementation partner. In Vanuatu, the Institute is developing a national cervical cancer elimination strategy and in the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea, scaled-up screening outreach has led to an increase in screening and treatment against HPV and cervical cancer. 

Societal impact 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.    

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.

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.

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.

UNSW Sustainable Development Goals 2023 Report

This report outlines UNSW's performance against the SDGs in 2023.

Related stories

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.