Skip to Main Content

2024 Networks in Action Report - Mobilizing the World’s Scientific and Technical Expertise for Sustainable Development in the Lead up to the Summit of the Future

By SDSN Networks

Launched in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and the UN’s Summit of the Future, the 2024 Networks in Action (NiA) report presents the latest initiatives and partnerships led by the SDSN’s networks to accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda. This report highlights the innovative and impactful solutions that our global network puts into practice and exemplifies the growing global role of the SDSN.

SDSN’s national and regional networks promote the localization and implementation of the SDGs, develop long-term transformation pathways, provide education for sustainable development, and launch solutions initiatives to address challenges. Each network focuses on distinct projects and priorities in line with their local contexts and challenges.

The report focuses on the impact that the networks have had in the world over the past two years – from their efforts to localize the SDGs in their countries; engage with knowledge institutions and youth; improve education for the SDGs; promote viable solutions initiatives; and develop their own publications, events, and actions. The report also includes sections on the annual Network Managers workshop, the biennial virtual series of regional University Presidents Meetings (UPM), SDSN Youth, and the International Conference on Sustainable Development (ICSD).

Featured highlights from the 2024 NiA include:

  • In 2023, SDSN Sahel presented its Medical, Agricultural and Educational Digital Box Project (MAE Box) at the Global Solutions Forum in Rio de Janeiro. This project is based on the multidimensional poverty index, and the network is working with strategic partners to implement this initiative.
  • In 2023, SDSN Mexico launched two key projects: the SDGs Platform for Local Action (Tec de Monterrey) and the Sustainability Needs Platform (UNAM). Both projects aim to showcase local efforts in sustainable development, while connecting specific sustainability needs with solutions and resources for effectively addressing them.
  • An SDG Dashboard at the district-level was publicly launched September 7, 2023. The dashboard further disaggregates SDG progress tracking for Malaysia, providing decision-makers with a snapshot of SDG progress at the district level. The data powering the dashboard is publicly available from the Malaysian Department of Statistics.
  • SDSN Black Sea organized the 2023 Thessaloniki Sustainability Summit. This year’s thematic focus was “Urban Sustainability” and gathered renowned scientists, representatives from the private sector, and government officials in roundtable discussions. The network also co-organized the 4th International Conference “A multicentric world in the making?” from November 13-14, 2023.

Over the years, SDSN created an extraordinary global network of universities and knowledge institutions covering most of the world. The Networks program of SDSN launched its first network in 2013 and has experienced continuous growth ever since. In 2024, SDSN reached almost 2,000 member institutions and 57 networks across 6 continents.

Read the Networks in Action Report 2024