Universities and knowledge institutions have a critical role in supporting the national, regional and global implementation of the new UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), a global network of universities and knowledge institutions was launched by the UN Secretary-General to mobilize scientific, technical and educational expertise to support sustainable development and the SDGs (see unsdsn.org). Towards this end, the SDSN regional network for Australia/Pacific, which is hosted by Monash University in Australia, had partnered with the Pacific Community (SPC) to hold this small and focused workshop with key stakeholders in the Pacific region to discuss the role of regional knowledge institutions in implementing the SDGs. The aim was to provide input for the consideration of the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) Sustainable Development Working Group, which is leading the regional response to the SDGs.