UCL will be flying a flag from the Portico next week, to show its support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Next Thursday (25 September) UCL will be flying a flag to raise awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the urgent need to achieve them.
The 17 SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, are the core of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Adopted by all’UN Member States in 2015, they provide a framework for the world’s ongoing economic growth, while protecting the environment and addressing societal inequalities. The UN aims to achieve the Goals by 2030.
The Goals range from ’Decent Work & Economic Growth’ and ’Good Health & Well-being’ to ’Climate Action’ and ’Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure’.
UCL joins hundreds of organisations around the globe which are flying the SDG flag and mobilising stakeholders for the 2030 agenda.
To maximise its impact on the Goals, UCL established the UCL SDGs Initiative in 2020-21, which has since been incorporated within the UCL Grand Challenges programme.
Simon Knowles, who leads the initiative, said: "Thousands of our staff and students are already helping to address the Goals through the Grand Challenges and other research, teaching and learning, and student societies and volunteering activities at UCL. Through the initiative we are helping to stimulate and facilitate even more SDGs-related activities across UCL."
September 2025 marks ten years since the world agreed the SDGs. While UCL is proud to fly the flag, there is still much more that needs to be done if the world is to progress towards the Goals.
Simon added: "Not nearly enough progress is being made by the world achieving the Goals. Universities like UCL need to keep playing their part by working in collaboration with academic, community and industry partners across the globe."
The SDG Flag Campaign started in The Netherlands in 2020 and has grown to see hundreds of businesses, government departments, civil society organisations and schools raise an SDG flag each September to mark the adoption of the SDGs.
Related links
Unlocking the SDGs podcast - A Blueprint for the Future: L isten to all three seasons on Spotify, Apple and Soundcloud
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