The Asia-Pacific region is home to some of the world’s most dynamic and diverse societies. The region is also home to some of the most pressing environmental challenges. Rapid economic growth, population growth and urbanisation have resulted in the deterioration of vital ecosystems. The region is facing a range of environmental challenges, from water scarcity and air pollution, to land degradation, and biodiversity loss.

In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the region, it is essential that governments, businesses, and civil society alike take action to address these challenges. The need for sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region is pressing. To this end, governments need to prioritise the implementation of sustainable development policies and strategies, including those related to energy, water, waste management, biodiversity protection, and green infrastructure. Businesses also need to play their part, by investing in green technologies and embracing sustainable practices like green supply chains, resource efficiency, and corporate social responsibility. Finally, higher education institutions and civil society need to engage in meaningful dialogue and action to ensure that information needs are met. In this way, the Asia-Pacific region can make progress towards a more sustainable future.

Against this background and in order to cater to a wide discussion on the contribution of higher education institutions to sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region, the 'Asia-Pacific Symposium on Sustainable Development in Higher Education: sustainability as a driver of prosperity and peace' is being organised by the Research and Transfer Centre 'Sustainable Development and Climate Change Management' at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) and the University of Hiroshima (Japan), who will be hosting the event from 4-5 March 2024 in Hiroshima, Japan.

As an output of the Symposium, the book 'Sustainable Development in Higher Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: sustainability as a driver of prosperity and peace', will be published by Springer Nature, as part of the World Sustainability Series.

Abstract submissions are now being accepted until 30 July 2023. Further details are available here.