Sustainable Development | UNSSC | United Nations System Staff College

UNSSC helps the United Nations (UN) system translate global commitments into action. Through innovative learning tools, interactive platforms and hands-on programmes, we build the knowledge, skills and networks that country-level UN colleagues, teams and partners need to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement and other key frameworks. As the UN’s trusted interagency learning partner, we work across mandates and geographies to create the conditions for coherent, collaborative action, ensuring Member States maintain commitments and deliver results for people and planet.

Strengthening UN country team impact

Through flagship sustainable development leadership programmes, UNSSC equips resident coordinators, heads of agencies, and mission chiefs to translate the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement into coherent, integrated action where it matters most

Building national and civil society capacities

From parliamentarians legislating on land restoration to civil servants advancing climate transparency, our programmes strengthen teams and networks - not just individuals - building the relational and institutional capacity that makes shared results on the 2030 Agenda possible

Scaling free, innovative learning globally

Nearly 40,000 learners reached through free multilingual courses, podcasts, gamified simulations, VR and microlearning

What we cover

This focus area spans ten interconnected themes. Click on a theme to explore courses and tailored learning solutions.

Climate and Environment

Communications

Digital and AI

Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment

Governance and Human Rights

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

Sustainable Development and the SDGs

Team Building

UN Development System and Country Programming

Youth

Examples of our work

The Global Changemaker Academy for Parliamentarians

A flagship intergovernmental learning initiative equipping parliamentarians with the knowledge and tools to accelerate SDG implementation and advance sustainable development in their countries

Discover more

Thai SDG Micro-Primer: learn and act for our common future

A free, multilingual microlearning experience co-designed with UN Thailand, empowering learners to connect everyday actions to the Sustainable Development Goals

Discover more

The UN Summer Academy: Join an Exceptional Group of Changemakers

Dynamic, connected and engaging – the UN Summer Academy is a critical global forum for advancing sustainable development. Since 2012, the programme has convened an exceptional group of changemakers annually to address the challenges that are impacting the UN system and its partners

Discover more

Aminatou Sar

Resident Coordinator in Benin

Participating in the UNCT Leadership Course and its virtual clinics was a truly energizing experience that came at the perfect moment [...] I am genuinely grateful for this opportunity, because it has meaningfully shaped how I lead, how my team works together, how we deliver collectively as a UN family and how as the UNCT, we engage with the government and partners in Benin

Gita Sabharwal

UN Resident Coordinator, Indonesia

The collaborative effort between UNSSC, the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand, is a prime illustration of how UN agencies can leverage partnerships, unique expertise, and innovation to reach new heights in sustainability

Josh Dotse

Senior Programmes, Partnerships and Climate Change Officer, HATOF Foundation, Ghana

My experience at the UN Summer Academy has been extremely insightful. I couldn't agree more with the thought-provoking and diverse perspectives from the participants. As a young person, the capacities I have built and the knowledge I have gained will be helpful in my activism and commitment to climate action. The UN Summer Academy made me commit to 'leaving no one behind' in the race to a sustainable future.