NUU at the Global Sustainable Development Congress in Istanbul
From June 16 to 19, 2025, representatives of the National University of Uzbekistan participated in the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) organized by Times Higher Education (THE) in Istanbul, Türkiye. The international forum brought together over 5,000 participants from more than 100 countries, including universities, research centers, industry leaders, and NGOs to discuss global strategies and innovative solutions for sustainable development.
The Uzbek delegation, which included 82 representatives from 9 universities, featured Alijon Oripov, Head of the Department of Strategic Development and International Rankings of NUUz, alongside specialists Zarina Rakhmonova and Muhammadali Sayiddiy.
The four-day event featured a wide range of sessions, such as:
Embedding the SDGs in Teaching and Learning – integrating sustainability principles into education.
Partnerships for Sustainable Futures – strengthening academic–industry collaboration.
Green Campuses and Sustainable Infrastructure – implementing eco-friendly university practices.
THE Impact Rankings: Insights and Trends – reviewing global performance in sustainable development metrics.
NUU’s Achievement in THE Impact Rankings 2025
During the congress, Times Higher Education announced the Impact Rankings 2025, which assess universities’ contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
NUUz achieved top 201–300 global ranking across six SDGs, demonstrating the university’s growing global influence in sustainability research, education, and community impact.
Notably:
SDG 13 (Climate Action): 73rd place among 1,089 universities — rising 19 positions from last year.
SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): 70th place among 955 universities.
SDG 15 (Life on Land): 99th place among 854 universities.
SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): ranked in the 101–200 range.
SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): ranked in the 301–400 range out of 2,389 institutions.
This marks a dramatic rise of nearly 500 positions compared to the previous year (601–800 range), positioning NUUz among the leading universities in sustainability efforts.
In his interview at the congress, Alijon Oripov emphasized that these achievements reflect NUU’s scientific capacity, social responsibility, and firm commitment to the principles of sustainable development.
He highlighted that the university’s progress stems from consistent integration of the SDGs into academic programs, research initiatives, and international collaborations.
As of 2025, 2,389 universities are represented in THE Impact Rankings — a sharp increase from 768 institutions in 2020 — illustrating the growing importance of sustainability in global higher education.
With its continued commitment to environmental responsibility, innovation, and inclusive development, the National University of Uzbekistan proudly stands among the world’s leading universities shaping a sustainable future.