Τhe Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, represented by the Rector Mr. Nikolaos G. Papaioannou, co-signed, together with 57 other Universities from 30 countries, a Joint Statement calling for swift action for a more sustainable world.

This marks the first time that leading universities on six continents have made a joint statement on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was approved by the United Nations in 2015 as a joint plan for world peace and prosperity.

The statement comes at a time when the world is facing a pressing need to step up efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda, whose progress has been hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as many other global challenges, such as climate change. and inequality.

Universities are active actors in knowledge production, stakeholder mobilization and transformation agents, and are expected to play an important role in ensuring a sustainable future. In the Joint Statement, University leaders reaffirmed their commitment to solidarity, stability and prosperity and called for working for a common vision through education, research, innovation and partnership.

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki co-signed the Joint Statement of the 58 Universities, in support of its commitment to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This commitment of AUTh took place already in October 2018, when a new specialized network was created on the initiative of AUTh, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Black Sea (SDSN Black Sea, http://sdsn-blacksea.auth.gr/), as part of the existing United Nations Global Network (UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network-SDSN Global). Our University holds the presidency and headquarters of SDSN Black Sea. In March 2019, the Senate of our University took a historic decision on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, as they were approved at the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations and their inclusion in the educational and research activities of the institution.

The Joint Statement was announced at an online forum organized by Zhejiang University in China on March 24, 2021. The forum helped to formulate a dialogue for future initiatives to achieve the goals, among many stakeholders.

The Joint Statement: 

UPDATED Joint Statement_2030 Agenda