University Role in SDG Policy Development

ANNU has several impactful collaborations with the local, regional, and international spheres. This comes to achieve the aim of collaborating to grow together exchange the best practices in the education sector and develop the educational system. This also aims at working together and sharing experiences to make our local societies more sustainable.

• ANNU has a Memorandum of Understanding with MA’AN Development Center under the environmental and climate justice project in Palestine. This agreement was made with the cooperation of WE EFFECT, the Swedish Embassy, the Palestinian Agricultural Institutions Coalitions (PAIC) which includes the Land Research Center, The Agricultural Development Association (PARC), and the Union of Agricultural Work Committee (UAWC). This project aims to contribute to improving environmental and climate justice in Palestine by facilitating collaboration between experts from different sectors to achieve shared goals, especially in Palestinian society, and help achieve a positive change in protecting the environment and adapting to climate change. The project achieves this by spreading awareness of the issue and conducting applicable research. This project aims to achieve SDG 13 (Climate Action) by protecting climate justice and fostering climate resilience, SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) is achieved through creating strong collaborations and partnerships with regional, international, NGOs, local and governmental partners, and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

•  ANNU has a collaboration with The Palestinian Institute for National Security Research. This MoU immensely aligns with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). It helps to facilitate applicable research on national security issues and to serve the local society by fostering peace and national security. It also strongly aligns with the goals of SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals) since ANNU is committed to contributing to the national government and regional non-governmental organizations' SDG policy development by facilitating research collaboration to contribute to identifying the security and justice challenges and influencing government policies.

• ANNU has contributed to setting the Green Building guidelines for Palestine with The Ministry of Public Works, The Palestinian Water Authority, and The Palestinian Standards Institution. This plan aims to solve the problems that the Palestinian society suffers from within the framework of limited resources such as water and energy and the high costs of operating and maintaining buildings in Palestine. It also aims to contribute to mitigating harmful emissions that contribute to changing the climate. This collaboration comes to achieve SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals) in initiating collaborations with the national government to identify challenges and set SDG-related policies to make Palestine more sustainable. It is also related to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) as it aims to foster sustainable construction practices, which are essential for creating resilient and environmentally friendly urban areas. By encouraging the use of sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs, ANNU’s involvement helps to improve the sustainability of cities and communities in Palestine. Moreover, the guidelines aim to reduce harmful emissions associated with building construction and operation. By promoting energy efficiency and sustainable practices, ANNU’s contributions help to mitigate climate change impacts, aligning with SDG 13’s goal to combat climate change and its effects. They also focus on integrating renewable energy solutions and energy-efficient practices in building designs. 

Memberships and Policy-Making Engagement for SDGs

ANNU is dedicated to achieving SDG goals, identifying challenges, and developing solutions through local, regional, and international memberships, with the aim of engaging with other institutions locally and abroad to exchange experiences and knowledge. It also has a direct involvement in:

National Government Memberships in SDGs Policy Development

• An-Najah National University (ANNU) has proudly gained a membership on the board of the Arab Council for Sustainable Development, operating under the Association of Arab Universities for the term 2024-2027 through its president Prof. Abdul Naser Zaid. This membership was given to ANNU due to its continuing dedication to embedding the sustainable development goals (SDGs) within its educational and development policies and strategies and now acting as a representative for Palestine of the Arab Council for Sustainable Development Management. This membership is aligned with the aim of achieving SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• Dr. Naeem Salameh is ANNU’s member in the Regional Network of Male Decision-Makers through the UN Women Palestine. The network will work on fostering justice and equality following SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by facilitating the engagement of men who are in key public decision-making positions for gender equality and women’s empowerment efforts in the Arab region.

• Dr. Hiba Al-Fares, the former dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, ANNU’s representative in the Palestinian Good Agricultural Practices (Pal Gap), among the Palestinian’s highest agricultural quality and standards. The Pal Gap is a collaborative initiative to enhance community resilience, livelihood, and food security through sustainable agricultural practices. This membership aligns with SDG 2 (zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) & SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• An-Najah National University (ANNU) is a member of The National Epidemiology Committee in the Palestinian Ministry of Health through Dr. Souad Belkebir, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Medicine. This involvement aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by enhancing public health systems, improving disease surveillance and control, promoting health research and evidence-based policies, and fostering capacity building and knowledge sharing between academic and public health sectors.

• An-Najah National University (ANNU) is a member of the national team developing the Palestinian Certification System for Organic Products through Dr. Munqeth Ishtaya, head of the Scientific Centers at ANNU. This membership aligns with SDG 15 (Life on Land) by promoting sustainable agricultural practices that maintain healthy ecosystems and biodiversity. The certification system encourages environmentally friendly farming techniques, reduces harmful chemical usage, and enhances market access for sustainable products, all of which support the goals of protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems.

• An-Najah National University (ANNU) participates in The Advisory Committee for the Rule of Law and Access to Justice Project at the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics through Dr. Amjad Abdul-Fatah Hassan, an instructor in the Faculty of Law and Political Science. This membership directly contributes to achieving SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by promoting the rule of law, enhancing access to justice, and strengthening institutional frameworks in Palestine. Through this involvement, ANNU supports efforts to build inclusive and peaceful societies while ensuring accountability and effective governance.

• An-Najah National University (ANNU) is a member of The Scientific Committee for Agricultural Pesticides through Dr. Tawfiq Qubbaj, an associate professor in the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine. This membership directly contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by promoting sustainable agricultural practices that enhance food security and ensure access to safe and nutritious food. It also supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by encouraging the responsible use of agricultural chemicals, which minimizes environmental impact and promotes sustainable practices in agriculture. Additionally, the committee's focus on pesticide safety aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), as it helps to ensure the health of agricultural workers and consumers by promoting safe pesticide practices. 

• ANNU has direct involvement in developing SDG-related policies with the Palestinian Water Authority and the Palestinian Ministry of Health through Dr. Raed Alkoni, the dean of the Faculty of Science, who is a member of The Epidemiology and Waterborne Diseases and Sanction Committee. This immensely contributes to achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). 

ANNU is a part of The Tourism Development Committee for Nablus City through her representative Dr. Loay Abu Al-Saud. This membership supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 9 (industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by promoting sustainable tourism by developing the city’s infrastructure and transportation system to be environmentally and culturally attractive. This will also pour into SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Developing the city’s infrastructure and attracting more tourists, will lead to creating more jobs and developing the domestic market leading to economic growth and a reduction in the employability rates.

ANNU is the lead in helping to make Palestine more sustainable not only through direct policy involvement with the government, but also through Workshops, conferences, and consultations.

• An-Najah National University’s units and centers work together with the local government and municipalities to provide data, nominate experts, and provide tools and resources to achieve the SDGs. The Scientific Centers represented by its Energy, Environment and Climate Change Research Unit and The Water Research Unit as a part of The Energy, Water and Food Security Research Center work together with the Palestinian Energy & Natural Resources Authority, the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government, and the private electricity companies in Palestine. This directly supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by enhancing water management and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by promoting sustainable energy solutions. Moreover, it fosters resilience to climate change impacts and promotes sustainable practices.