Renowned Fijian academic and international scholar Professor Steven Ratuva has been appointed by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to a high-level expert group tasked with preparing the 2027 Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR).
This will be key document that will guide the world’s next steps beyond the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr Ratuva, who is Pro-Vice Chancellor Pacific at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha, University of Canterbury in New Zealand and Director of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, is one of only 15 global experts selected through an open and rigorous process. He was nominated by the International Science Council.
Professor Mr Ratuva described the appointment as a significant honour.
“To be tasked with developing a new sustainable development pathway to progress achieving the SDGs, and to look beyond the SDGs as well, is a privilege,” said Professor Ratuva.
“I look forward to working with some of the leading scholars in the world and to bringing an interdisciplinary and Global South focus to this very important work that addresses some of the most serious challenges facing humanity today.”
The GSDR serves as an “assessment of assessments” and informs decision-makers and heads of government every four years.
The next SDG Summit in 2027 will consider how to build on current progress and create a development blueprint for the post-2030 era.
Professor Ratuva, a former Fulbright fellow, is internationally recognised for his work in political sociology, climate security, global development, and social protection. He has led research teams and advised organisations including the UNDP, Asian Development Bank, Commonwealth Secretariat, and the Pacific Islands Forum.
His appointment marks a milestone for Fiji, positioning the Pacific at the heart of shaping future global development strategies.
The 15-member panel includes experts from countries such as Brazil, China, Nigeria, Egypt, and Greece, bringing together a rich mix of scientific, policy, and regional expertise.
