A new global consensus statement on the role of higher education in advancing sustainable development was launched during the second Global Higher Education Symposium at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 13 July 2026.
The initiative was developed and advanced by the UNESCO Chair at York University, which helped bring together leading international partners and guide a global consultation process. The final statement reflects a shared commitment to strengthen the contribution of higher education to societal transformation, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the post-2030 agenda. It provides a common foundation for continued collaboration, policy dialogue, and action across institutions, networks, and regions.
Special thanks to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO for the financial support, which enabled UNESCO Co-Chair Katrin Kohl to travel to New York.
Official group photo taken at the start of the Global Higher Education Symposium II in New York on 13 July 2026