GSLDC PARTICIPATION HIGHLIGHTS
University of Nairobi & UN HQ Nairobi, 23rd – 25th June 2025
The Global SDGs and Leadership Development Center (GSLDC) participated in its second consecutive Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) annual meetings in Nairobi, Kenya.
SHAPING GLOBAL DIALOGUE at the 2025 ACUNS ANNUAL MEETING in Nairobi
This year Annual Meeting explored how global cooperation can respond to the challenges of an increasingly interconnected and fragile world. In this regard, GSLDC played a vital role as a Silver Sponsor of the annual meetings in Nairobi, by engaging with multistakeholders including; policymakers, researchers, UN officials, civil society and government leaders with a focus on strengthening multilateralism for a sustainable future. GSLDC activities and engagements all through the three days of the event were centered on conveying high-level experts for panel discussions, networking sessions and unveiling the 2025 Young Scientist SDGs Award to a global network of researchers.
Representatives from international organizations such as; UNITAR, UNEP and UNU, as well as Think-Tanks, NGOs and universities such as; ANUMDI, Amnesty International, Oxfam, ADIE, Jomo Kenyatta University, University of Cambridge, Northeastern University and GeorgeTown University participated in panel discussions on climate justice, environmental multilateralism, and the role of digital technologies. Their insights bridged the gap between academic research and on-the-ground realities, emphasizing community-led approaches to sustainable development. One important highlight was the panel discussion that GSLDC co-hosted with a local NGO from Kenya; NURU Trust Network (NTN) on “Intergenerational Dialogue for a Sustainable Future: Shaping Inclusive Societies via Environmental Multilateralism” which sparked discussions on equitable partnerships in crisis response.
The second major highlight of GSLDC participation at the ACUNS Annual Meeting, was the official launch of the Young Scientist SDGs Award by Ms. Grace GAO (Executive Director of GSLDC) in presence of Dr. Michal Mlynar the Deputy Executive-Director of UN-Habitat and other high-level guests. This was an important milestone for GSLDC, as we developed great interest from the global academic and scientific community for advancing innovation in research and building international platforms to identify the next generation of sustainable development leaders. Most importantly, the Center announced the Young Scientist SDGs Award ceremony is scheduled to be held in Wenzhou, China from the 25th – 27th October 2025.
GSLDC delegation also engaged with UN officials, urging greater accountability in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, keynote addresses by Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, UN Nairobi Office Director-General, and Dr. David Passarelli, Director, United Nations University (UNU) – Centre for Policy Research, underscored the need for intergenerational collaboration in policy-making.
Finally, the meeting reinforced the value of policymakers, civil society and academic partnerships in shaping multilateral strategies. As ACUNS looks ahead to next year annual meeting in Lisbon, the active participation of organizations such as GSLDC ensures that diverse voices remain central to global governance debates. Nairobi’s vibrant setting further highlighted the importance of centering diverse perspectives in international discourse.
For GSLDC, the event was a vital platform to influence policy, share best practices, and strengthen networks—an opportunity to turn theory into tangible impact.