In a new national achievement reflecting its institutional leadership, the Ministry of Planning honored Al-Mustaqbal University, naming it the first distinguished university in Iraq for its practices in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The honor was presented during the official ceremony held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, coinciding with the launch of Iraq’s third voluntary national report on the SDGs, submitted to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York under the slogan: “Responsible Investment… Reconstruction and Justice.” During the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Hasan Shaker Majdi, President of Al-Mustaqbal University, was personally honored in recognition of his pioneering contributions to supporting sustainable development pathways and his active role in integrating sustainability principles into the higher education system, alongside the university’s advanced presence in national scientific rankings and indicators. In his speech, the Deputy Minister of Planning for Technical Affairs, Dr. Maher Hammad Johan, emphasized that the voluntary report reflects Iraq’s serious commitment to the Sustainable Development Agenda and Vision 2030. He praised the vital role played by Iraqi universities in this area, particularly Al-Mustaqbal University, which has made sustainability a central focus of its educational programs, research activities, and community initiatives. Prof. Dr. Hassan Shakir Majdi, upon receiving the award, expressed his pride in this achievement, noting that it serves as a motivation to continue institutional work. He also reaffirmed Al-Mustaqbal University’s commitment to implementing its strategic programs and plans aimed at transforming into a fully sustainable university by 2030, in alignment with the directives of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the national sustainable development agenda. This recognition represents both a national and international acknowledgment of Al-Mustaqbal University’s efforts in embedding a culture of sustainability and applying it comprehensively across education, research, and community service. It further strengthens the university’s position as one of Iraq’s leading institutions actively supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals at both national and global levels