17.2.2 Cross-Sectoral SDG Dialogues through International Conferences

In 2024, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) actively initiated and participated in cross-sectoral dialogues on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by hosting and co-organizing major international conferences that brought together participants from government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), industry, and academia.

Key events included CENVIRON 2024, ICoBiomasSE 2024, ELECRiS 2024, and ICONGEET 2024. These conferences served as collaborative platforms for knowledge exchange and innovation on sustainability issues. Discussions and presentations addressed a range of SDGs, including Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Industry, Innovation, and Green Technology (SDG 9).

Through these multi-stakeholder engagements, UniMAP demonstrated its commitment to advancing sustainable development by fostering dialogue, partnerships, and practical solutions across sectors. The outcomes from these conferences contributed to strengthening local and regional capacity for sustainability, aligning with SDG 17.2.2 – Cross-sectoral dialogue about the SDGs.

(More info: GTEST 2024, CENVIRON 2024, ELECRiS 2024)

17.2.2 Cross sectoral dialogue about SDGs

Event: Global Tertiary Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Test (GTEST) 2024
Source: https://gtest.unimap.edu.my/past-events/gtest-2024
Organizer: Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP)

GTEST 2024 was not merely an academic competition; it was a large-scale, intentionally designed cross-sectoral platform to catalyze dialogue and action on the SDGs. It successfully brought together academia, industry, government, and non-governmental organizations to address sustainability challenges collectively.

The event's structure and participant list demonstrate clear multi-stakeholder engagement:

  1. Initiation and Participation by Academia (UniMAP):
  2. Involvement of Government Bodies
  3. Engagement with Industry Partners:
  • The presence of major companies like Intel Malaysia and Infineon Technologies is critical. It bridges the gap between theoretical academic concepts and real-world market needs. 
  1. Collaboration with NGOs and Other Stakeholders:
  • The involvement of organizations like MYHarapan (a youth development foundation) and Malaysia Research University Network adds a crucial civil society and collaborative academic dimension. This ensures the dialogue includes social innovation and broader educational impacts.

GTEST 2024 is a definitive example of a university initiating and participating in cross-sectoral dialogue about the SDGs. By designing an event that brought together ministers, civil servants, corporate leaders, NGOs, and international students, UniMAP created a powerful ecosystem for sharing knowledge, aligning strategies, and building partnerships essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This goes far beyond a simple conference; it is an active, solution-oriented platform rooted in the principle that the SDGs can only be achieved through collaborative, cross-sectoral action.