A Meeting of Presidents from Around the World: The Sustainable Development Solutions Network, a Global Network for the United Nations.

On May 15th, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. Thai time, Associate Professor Dr. Supakorn Pongbangpho, President of the University of Phayao, assigned Dr. Jaruwan Posayanon and Associate Professor Dr. Paninthara Theeranon, Assistant to the President, to attend a meeting of presidents from around the world under the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), a global network for the United Nations. SDSN is an international network of universities by the United Nations that uses the university model as a space to accelerate the driving of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) because universities have knowledge and technology. This meeting was chaired by the Rector, with more than 117 representatives of university presidents attending. Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, President of SDSN, gave the welcome speech, and Karima El Korri, UN Resident Coordinator for Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam, and Ban Ki-Moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations and founder of the Ban Ki-Moon Center for Global Citizens, were the keynote speakers.

The main topics discussed during the meeting were:

Creating a platform for educating a new generation of students who understand the SDGs through activities and curricula.

Creating a platform for research and technology on climate change and the development of community living conditions.

Strengthening the collaboration between universities and the United Nations at the regional level, as well as with other network partners, is crucial. Universities have the potential to serve as a central hub for connecting the political, economic, and social sectors in order to promote the overall well-being of the community.