1. Geospatial Techniques for Water Diplomacy
Introduction:
Globally most continents are covered by transboundary water basin (particularly river basins) comprising of different countries with differing development plans for the use and management of the water resources (Figure 1) of which the largest part of the continental Africa (the Sub-Saharan region) forms part of the main river basins of Africa. Yet there are complexities in managing and use of these transboundary water sources hence need for diplomacy, where the use of diplomatic instruments, negotiations and multi-track dialogues are required to prevent, mitigate, and resolve conflicts over shared, transboundary water resources. In order to navigate smoothly through these complexities with the diplomatic endeavours, there is need for spatially explicit evidence at various scales that provides the necessary information regarding the state of play of these transboundary water resources, hence application of the geospatial analytics tools.
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2. Workshop: Scaling SDG Societal Actions and Shaping the Post-2030 Sustainability Agenda
Introduction:
Makerere University and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) are pleased to announce a planned two-day workshop on “Scaling SDG Societal Actions and Shaping the Post-2030 Sustainability Agenda”. SDGs provide a shared global framework for addressing interconnected environmental, economic and social challenges. Implementating SDGs is closely linked to international frameworks including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), the Paris Agreement on climate change (2015), and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Together, these frameworks provide a foundation for advancing sustainable development, strengthening resilience and inclusive societal transformation. Although the SDGs have been widely embraced by governments and other development actors, their achievement requires a “whole-of-society approach” involving Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), higher education institutions (HEIs), civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector, development partners and local communities.
Evidence presented in the Sustainable Development Report 2025 indicates uneven progress towards the SDGs globally, with many Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries continuing to face significant challenges. These circumstances underscore the need to strengthen locally grounded, evidence-informed and collaborative approaches that can accelerate SDG implementation and support the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient future. Higher education Institutions (HEIs) are important knowledge brokers and agents of societal transformation. However, the effectiveness and wider societal impacts of HEIs contributions on SDGs remain insufficiently understood. Building on lessons emerging from NORAD-funded projects, this workshop will examine how HEIs contribute to SDG achievements at scale. The workshop is a great platform to share successes registered, lessons learnt and challenges experienced. The workshop will also facilitate shaping priorities for the post-2030 sustainability agenda. Thus, we invite researchers, academics, policymakers, practitioners, civil society organizations, development partners, private sector representatives, students and community actors to participate in the planned two day SDG Workshop.
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