Dialogue with the United Nations and other universities

On 30 October 2023, MNU participated in hosting the forum Bridging the SDG Data Gap – What is the Role of Academia?, in collaboration with the United Nations in Maldives. The forum explored how universities, government agencies and UN partners could work together to strengthen the availability and use of data for monitoring progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discussions highlighted the importance of academic research, reliable evidence and institutional partnerships in informing public policy and development planning. This initiative demonstrated MNU’s role in facilitating cross-sectoral dialogue and connecting academic expertise with national development priorities and international sustainability commitments.

Climate research with government and development partners

MNU collaborated with the Ministry of Environment and Alinea International on a climate and environmental research initiative aimed at strengthening institutional knowledge and addressing environmental challenges. Consultations involving more than 50 participants contributed to the development of MNU’s Environment and Climate Framework 2025–2030. The initiative illustrates how partnerships between a university, government institutions and international development partners can support research-informed planning and policy development. By engaging stakeholders in the consultation process, MNU helped connect academic research with practical environmental priorities, strengthening opportunities for collaborative action on climate change and sustainability in the Maldives.

Ocean governance and sustainable development

MNU’s SDG Policy Engagement initiative includes the Ocean Governance Symposium, developed with funding support from the Embassy of Japan. The symposium provides a platform for dialogue among government representatives, academics, industry stakeholders and civil society on marine conservation, ocean management and the sustainable development of the blue economy. This engagement is particularly relevant to the Maldives, where marine ecosystems and ocean resources are closely linked to livelihoods, economic development and environmental resilience. By bringing together stakeholders with different areas of expertise, MNU supports knowledge exchange and collaborative approaches to ocean-related policy challenges, reinforcing the role of higher education in advancing sustainable development.

Evidence:

Theveli 2025: MNU Theveli International Conference 2025
UN–Academia SDG Data Dialogue: UN Maldives – SDG Data Gap Forum
Climate/Environment Framework: MNU–Alinea International Climate Research Initiative
Ocean Governance: MNU SDG Policy Engagement
ICEST Conference 2025: International Conference on Innovations in Engineering, Science and Technology for Sustainable Development