SDSN Ireland Leadership Council Meets in Dublin
The SDSN Ireland Leadership Council met on March 4th at the National University of Ireland Offices in Dublin to discuss ongoing initiatives across the network and the broader role of Ireland and Europe in advancing the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs.
The meeting was opened by Leadership Council Co-Chairs President John O’Halloran (UCC) and Vice Chancellor Ian Greer (QUB), who welcomed several guests from the global SDSN community, including Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of the SDSN Association, and Maria Cortes Puch, Vice President of Networks. Sumaya Mohommed (UCC) and Elizabeth Zion (UCD) represented the student voice in subsequent discussion. The Council also welcomed Vice President Jane Stout (TCD) and Vice President Tasman Crowe (UCD), the council’s two most recent members.
Updates on SDSN Ireland activities were presented by John Barimo (UCC), including the development of new thematic working groups, the launch of the UNICO (University Cooperation for Net Zero on Campus) Erasmus+ project, progress in establishing SDSN Youth Ireland by SDSN Youth Coordinator Sumaya Mohammed, and current initiatives supporting SDG localisation.
Maria Cortes Puch outlined priorities for the global SDSN network, including expanding and strengthening regional networks, mobilising universities to accelerate SDG progress, and deepening collaboration across Europe. She also highlighted the recent launch of the 2026 European Sustainable Development Report in Brussels.
The meeting concluded with a keynote contribution from Prof Jeffrey Sachs (Columbia University), who reflected on current global geopolitics and the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation to advance the SDGs. He emphasised the need to keep sustainable development and peace at the centre of international policy discussions, particularly considering Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency.
The discussion reaffirmed SDSN Ireland’s commitment to collaboration across universities, students, and international partners to accelerate full SDG implementation.
