Advancing partnerships to accelerate #SDGInnovation
The SDG Innovation High-Level Event at the UN General Assembly brought together governments, the UN-System, Technology leaders and relevant partners to share best ideas, inform policy and inspire collective action for the SDGs
We would like to thank everyone, especially our inspiring speakers and colleagues for a vibrant #SDGInnovation forum at the 72nd UN General Assembly.
On Monday 18 September, the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (UN Global Pulse) and the SDG Action Campaign convened governments, CEOs of major technology leading companies and innovators at the High-Level Event on SDG Innovation during the 72nd United Nations General Assembly
This unique event exposed governments to breakthrough ideas and innovations available, and leading tech innovators to the concrete problematics and challenges of countries in advancing the Agenda 2030.
The event opened with inspiring remarks from H.E. Miroslav Lajčák President of the United Nations General Assembly, stressing the need for collaboration and strong partnerships to solve the global challenges humanity is facing:
“No matter how powerful or creative an institution or an individual might be, no one can solve today’s complex challenges alone. The solutions must involve everyone – governments, academia, the private sector, youth, civil society, and innovators like you.“
“We have seven billion minds on the planet that must be engaged in finding solutions to the intractable challenges facing humanity today. Innovation and technology enables collaboration across boundaries and time. Let us unleash innovation to unlock the potential of every person everywhere, especially young people.” H.E. Miroslav Lajčák President of the United Nations General Assembly
Reid Hoffman, Co-Founder of LinkedIn delivered and inspiring Keynote focusing on partnerships and the power of networks. Followed by Marc Benioff, Founder and CEO of Salesforce in conversation with Ashish Thakkar, Founder of Mara Group and Chair of the UN Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council.
“To achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals governments, NGOs and the private sector must all work together to unleash a massive wave of entrepreneurship that generates the breakthrough companies at a record pace. That is how we will create greener power, distribute more food and create hundreds thousands of new jobs for the growing middleclass. To succeed we need networks; networks of capital, networks of expertise, networks of customers, networks of distribution and networks of transport” Reid Hoffman, Co-Founder of LinkedIn
“Technology is never good or bad, it’s what you do with it that matters.” “The fourth industrial revolution is upon us. How do we harness the power of new tech for Sustainable Development innovation and good?” Marc Benioff, Founder and CEO of Salesforce
Among the group of participants were:
- H.E. Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia
- H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, United Arab Emirates
- Mitchell Baker, Executive Chairwoman Mozilla
- Aliko Dangote, Founder and Chair of Dangote Group
- Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chair of Bharti Enterprises
- Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia and WikiTribune
- David Wallerstein, Chief Exploration Officer, Tencent
- Badr Jafar, Investor and CEO Crescent Group
- James Manyika, Chairman, McKinsey Global Institute
Adoption of any kind of social disruption is impossible for the public or private sector alone. Thanks to close cooperation between public and private sector, Estonia is the only nation in the world which offers 24/7 online services to it’s people. H.E. Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia
You missed it or want to review the inspiring ideas shared during the session? You can watch the whole event again here:
you can also check the social media story in Storify
and find yourself and key speakers in the event photos.
The result was a greater understanding of the key success factors in harnessing innovation to accelerate delivery on the SDGs.
Let’s maintain and ramp up the momentum started by the High-Level SDG Innovation forum, build strong partnerships and together accelerate the achievement of the SDGs.