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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
The first Annual Meeting of the United Nations University (UNU) Hubs marked a significant step towards promoting research cooperation between the UNU Hubs with a special focus on the environment, climate change, water and the Global South. The aim of the meeting at TU Hamburg was to strengthen cooperation between science, politics and society and to develop sustainable technological solutions for the most important challenges of our time, such as climate change and sustainable resource management.
For their first joint event, the six existing UN University Hubs worldwide met at TU Hamburg to conclude Hamburg’s Sustainability Week.
The inaugural Annual Meeting of the United Nations University (UNU) Hubs on June 5 and 6, 2025, marked a significant step toward promoting research collaborations between the UNU Hubs, with a special focus on environment, climate change, water, and the Global South. Distinguished international guests included Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the UNU and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Professor Kaveh Madani, Director of the UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH).
The goal of the meeting at TU Hamburg was to strengthen cooperation between science, politics, and society, as well as to develop sustainable technological solutions for today's most important challenges, such as climate change and sustainable resource management. The six existing UNU Hubs worldwide—from Canada, Sweden, the USA, and Germany—along with other partners emphasized the importance of expanding partnerships to create innovative solutions for global environmental and development challenges.
The meeting was framed by the ceremonial openings of two CampusLabs on the TU Hamburg campus: the “CampusLab for Global Soil Health, Water and Climate” and the “Circular Economy” CampusLab. The former is located outdoors and is equipped with modern measurement technology, including thermal cameras, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, and advanced sensors to quantify soil and environmental processes. The data collected serves research into soil quality, plant growth, land-atmosphere exchange, and climate variability. A particular focus lies on the use of AI-supported analytical methods.
The Circular Economy CampusLab focuses on fully mapping closed material cycles—from biomass through the development of novel high-performance materials to their recycling.
Maryam Blumenthal, Senator for Science
“A powerful partnership for the future: Today, Hamburg proudly becomes the first city in the world to host all United Nations University Hubs. At TU Hamburg, brilliant minds from across the globe are coming together to tackle one of humanity’s greatest challenges: climate change. This international milestone comes just one year after TU Hamburg joined the UN University family with its hub 'Engineering to face climate change'. What fills me with particular joy is that we’re also celebrating the opening of two new CampusLabs – vibrant spaces where research, innovation and education meet in the real world. Together, they stand for our shared commitment to shaping a more sustainable and livable tomorrow. This is a huge step forward in the incredible momentum of this university and a shining example of what we can achieve when we work together."
Professor Dr.-Ing. Irina Smirnova, Vice President for Research
“I am particularly happy that the members of our new CampusLabs include not only the institutes of TU Hamburg but also our start-ups. They are future employers for our doctoral candidates and graduates, and they serve as a vehicle for transferring our research findings into industry and society."
Professor Dr.-Ing. Andreas Timm-Giel, President of TU Hamburg
“The first global meeting of all UNU Hubs sends a strong signal for international cooperation in sustainability research – with the Hub Engineering to Face Climate Change, TU Hamburg is proud to be part of this global network. The new CampusLabs represent the local counterpart: they make global challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and resource use tangible, and demonstrate how excellent research and teaching can be translated into concrete solutions. I see these Labs as a pioneering reinterpretation of Humboldt’s holistic educational ideal – and I am convinced that they will have a lasting impact on science, education, and the shaping of a sustainable future.”
Professor Nima Shokri, Head of the CampusLab for Global Soil Health, Water and Climate and Co-Director of the UNU Hub on Engineering to Face Climate Change
“On the occasion of World Environment Day, it is our honor to inaugurate the CampusLab as a space where science, education, policy and innovation meet to help tackle the most challenging environmental problems of our time. This is not only a living lab, but also a "living promise" to future generations for creating engineering solutions that foster a sustainable and resilient planet for all.”
Further information on both CampusLabs can be found here:
https://www.tuhh.de/unuhub/capacity-building/campuslabs
The full program is available here:
https://www.tuhh.de/unuhub/events
Participating Hubs and Institutions
- Hub on Water in a Changing Environment – Lund University
- Hub on Empowering Communities to Adapt to Environmental Change – University of Calgary
- Hub on Remote-Sensing and Sustainable Innovations for Resilient Urban Systems – City College of New York
- United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Hub for SDG 2: Zero Hunger – University of California, Davis
- Dresden University of Technology
- Learning Planet Institute, Paris
The United Nations University (UNU) Hub on campus connects TU Hamburg through the UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) with the global research and education activities of the UNU and contributes to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Inauguration of the new CampusLab for Global Soil Health, Water and Climate: Christian Polensky, Pro ...
Christian Schmid
Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala at the opening of the First Annual Meeting of the UNU Hubs at TU Hamburg
Christian Schmid
Executive Summary CampusLabs
Merkmale dieser Pressemitteilung:
Journalisten
Umwelt / Ökologie
überregional
Forschungsprojekte
Englisch
Inauguration of the new CampusLab for Global Soil Health, Water and Climate: Christian Polensky, Pro ...
Christian Schmid
Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala at the opening of the First Annual Meeting of the UNU Hubs at TU Hamburg
Christian Schmid
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