SDSN Launches a New National Network in Romania

SDSN Romania joins the SDSN’s 57 national and regional networks in their mission of advancing the SDGs locally and globally.

On October 19, 2024, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) officially launched SDSN Romania, hosted by the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE). The new national network will act as a hub for fostering innovative and effective solutions to Romania's sustainable development challenges. Its mission includes creating synergies among knowledge-generating institutions, mobilizing resources to implement the SDGs, and promoting high-quality education and research. SDSN Romania will focus on three key priorities: education and research, innovative solutions for society, and raising awareness and engagement around sustainable development.

The launch event brought together a diverse group of participants, including Romanian member organizations, university and research representatives, students, and members of the National Sustainable Development Council. The leadership team of SDSN Romania — Professor Nicolae Istudor, co-chair of SDSN Romania and Rector of ASE; László Borbély, State Councillor at the Department of Sustainable Development; Professor Eden Mamut, Secretary General of the Black Sea Universities Network; and Elena Preda, manager of SDSN Romania — outlined the network's vision and goals, engaging stakeholders in future actions.

Opening remarks by SDSN President Professor Jeffrey Sachs, delivered via video and introduced by ASE Vice Rector of Research Professor Alina Dima, set the tone for the event. Sachs congratulated the Romanian team on their initiative and emphasized the importance of SDSN in accelerating SDG implementation worldwide.

Vice Presidents of SDSN, María Cortés-Puch and Guillaume Lafortune, further underscored the network’s critical role in connecting local experiences with global sustainable development objectives. Their presentation of the SDSN Sustainable Development Report 2024 captivated the audience, highlighting Romania’s potential contributions to the global effort.

Following these addresses, Marta García-Haro, Senior Manager and SDSN Secretariat focal point for the Black Sea region, introduced SDSN’s Networks Program. She detailed opportunities for SDSN Romania to engage with initiatives such as the SDG Academy in education and FABLE in agri-food systems. García-Haro also invited Romanian academic institutions to join SDSN Romania and announced ASE’s selection for the global Universities for Goal 13 competition.

The event concluded with a compelling presentation by Ina Nimerenco, a PhD student at ASE, who shared a youth perspective on achieving a sustainable future. Her insights underscored the importance of involving young voices in shaping the sustainability agenda.

Looking ahead, SDSN Romania has already established a Leadership Council, which will expand in the coming months. Following the launch event, the Council convened to outline its strategy and action plan for the next two years. Key objectives include growing the national network and leveraging existing expertise to drive impactful initiatives in 2025.

Stay tuned for more updates on SDSN Romania as it begins this exciting journey toward advancing sustainable development in the region.