Latest news with #UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme
Scoop
3 days ago
- Science
- Scoop
Hopeful New Way To Measure Human Progress
In response to the climate crisis, a new way to measure how well people and nature are living together has been announced in Nature. A hopeful new way to think about human progress has been announced today in the world's leading scientific journal Nature. Rather than focusing on what we're doing wrong, the new global framework offers a way to measure how well people and nature are thriving together. Led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and created by a group of international experts in various disciplines, the Nature Relationship Index (NRI) will track countries' progress in three key areas: a thriving and accessible natural world, responsible and respectful use of nature, and protection from pollution and harm. It builds on the success of the Human Development Index (HDI), which measures average achievements in a country in three broad categories: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living. The University of Auckland's Peter Kraus Professor of Philosophy Krushil Watene (Te Hikutu, Ngāti Manu, Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei, Tonga) is one of the researchers who contributed to the novel framework, bringing both a philosophical and Indigenous perspective. 'The NRI takes our relationships with nature as foundational to the way we should think about well-being, development, and justice,' she says. 'Such a philosophical shift requires our commitment to the realisation of social and environmental justice, and to fostering new concepts, practices, and institutions – both locally and globally.' Just as the HDI transformed global development thinking, Watene says researchers hope the NRI will redefine progress to include healthy human-nature relationships, not just economic growth. The Nature Relationship Index is planned to be prominently featured in the 2026 Human Development Report, with annual updates planned for all countries thereafter. Its authors, who include leading marine ecologists, psychologists, economists, environmental scientists and policy specialists, believe it represents a hopeful and inclusive approach to environmental stewardship, rooted in the belief that when people work together, humanity and nature can thrive. 'Ultimately,' says Watene, 'the NRI values and relies on the diversity in our knowledges and knowledge-making, pluralism in our diverse and distributed social practices, and solidarity, grounded in the rich and interdependent networks of stewardship that exist – and that could yet emerge – across all corners of the globe.' An aspirational approach to planetary futures by Erle C. Ellis, Yadvinder Malhi, Hannah Ritchie, Jasper Montana, Sandra Diaz, David Obura, Susan Clayton, Melissa Leach, Laura Pereira, Emma Marris, Michael Muthukrishna, Bojie Fu, Peter Frankopan, Molly K. Grace, Krushil Watene, Nicholas Depsky, Josefin Pasanen and Pedro Conceição is published in Nature (June 2025).
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
The 2025 Global Digital Economy Conference (GDEC 2025) Will Officially Open On July 2 -- Highlights Of The 2025 Global Digital Economy Conference
BEIJING, June 25 (Bernama) -- On June 23, a press conference held in Beijing announced that the 2025 Global Digital Economy Conference (GDEC 2025) will officially open on July 2. Themed "Building a Digitally Friendly City," this year's conference features a "1+6+N" framework encompassing opening ceremonies, a main forum, thematic forums, and special events. It aims to provide a platform for exchange and cooperation on global digital economy development, emphasizing harmonious coexistence between technology and humanity, cities and ecosystems. The conference will highlight four key aspects: openness and sharing, cutting-edge focus, industrial integration, and enhanced experience. Building a New Platform for International Cooperation and a Model for Global Collaboration This year's conference sees the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) joining as a co-organizer for the first time, launching the collaboration project "UNDP Digital Friendliness and Sustainable Innovation Lab for the Digital Economy." For the first time, the conference expands its international footprint to Europe, collaborating closely with events such as the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2025 and Germany's FUTUROMUNDO Multikonferenz & Festival. These partnerships aim to promote China's approach to global digital transformation.
Daily News Egypt
5 days ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt launches eco-tourism project to transform Bedouin village in Sharm El-Sheikh
Egypt's Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad inaugurated a major eco-tourism development project in the village of El-Gharqana, located within the Nabq Protected Area in Sharm El-Sheikh. The initiative is part of the country's 'Green Sharm' program, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aiming to transform the Red Sea resort into a model of sustainable tourism. The inauguration ceremony was attended by South Sinai Governor Major General Khaled Mubarak, UNDP Resident Representative Alessandro Fracassetti, tribal leaders, tourism sector representatives, members of parliament, and local media. Fouad described the project as a milestone in Egypt's environmental agenda, highlighting its integrated approach to sustainable development. 'This initiative aims to enhance the livelihoods of local residents by integrating them into eco-tourism activities, while also preserving the natural resources of Nabq,' she said. The village was redeveloped using eco-friendly architecture and sustainable construction techniques that respect the cultural identity of the Bedouin community, creating an authentic and environmentally sensitive tourist destination. Governor Mubarak praised the strategic partnership with the UNDP, noting that the project reflects Egypt's broader vision of balanced development — one that harmonizes environmental conservation with the needs of local communities. The event included a tour of newly developed housing units, the opening of a handicraft workshop and a local NGO office, and the screening of a documentary chronicling the project's implementation. A panel discussion followed, bringing together government officials, civil society, and private sector stakeholders to explore the future of eco-tourism in Egypt. The El-Gharqana project is seen as a model for replicable sustainable development across other regions, as Egypt seeks to align its tourism and environmental policies with global sustainability goals.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
AI plays a key role in improving social protection in Malaysia
MALAYSIA'S ambition to become an artificial intelligence (AI) hub by 2030 is bold and inspiring. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is working with national partners to make it happen. AI has immense potential to drive economic growth and innovation. As Malaysia makes rapid strides towards an AI-driven future, it has recognised a crucial and often overlooked element — a social protection system that is not only robust but also deeply integrated with, and adaptive to, the Age of AI. A strong social protection system provides people with the ability to take care of themselves and their families and weather shocks, be they disasters or economic crises. They also level the playing field, even if only a little, ensuring that progress benefits more people by increasing pathways to opportunity and prosperity. A good example is Malaysia. The existing social protection framework has served millions of people for decades, through social services, social insurance and labour market interventions. Yet, this system now faces unprecedented pressures from demographic shifts, the changing nature of work and structural limitations. What are these constraints? Malaysia's ageing population is growing steadily, putting greater demands on healthcare and pension systems. Then there is the rise of the informal sector, encompassing nearly 20 per cent of the workforce (excluding agriculture) in 2023. This means 2.84 million individuals have very limited coverage. An AI-enhanced social protection system ensures that the benefits of the technological revolution reach those who would otherwise be left behind. In several countries, UNDP is working with governments to leverage multiple sources of data — including social, economic and environmental — to improve models for social protection. This precision minimises misallocations and reduces system redundancies and inefficiencies. It also reduces efforts to misuse or corrupt the system. AI can enhance service delivery. Predictive analytics help governments anticipate demographic shifts and adjust policy settings. AI-driven microfinance platforms and blockchain-based systems extend the reach of social security to the informal economy. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants improve accessibility by providing instant guidance on benefits and eligibility. Automated eligibility checks and fraud detection systems reduce administrative costs, freeing up resources for those who need them most. Crucially, AI improves the effectiveness of social protection, particularly in times of crisis. Targeted and rapid assistance, facilitated by AI-driven data analysis, mitigates the impact of climate disasters and economic shocks. AI also facilitates the integration of different forms of social protection, such as combining cash transfers with insurance, potentially extending insurance access to vulnerable populations traditionally excluded from the market. The power of digitalisation, amplified by AI, is key to bridging the gap between service providers and beneficiaries. While AI promises significant economic gains, social protection programmes such as enhanced unemployment insurance and retraining initiatives will be vital in softening these transitions and facilitating the reskilling and upskilling of the workforce. This aligns with UNDP's core mission of ensuring that AI serves human development, including during disruption. However, at the end of the day, this is technology. The impact of AI solutions is intrinsically linked to the quality of governance, including in the management of data, resources and staying the course on positive policy choices. Building the future skills and institutional capacities to harness AI and technology as a public good will underpin Malaysia's journey to becoming a successful regional and global AI hub.
Hans India
19-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Six Youth-Led Startups Championing Disability-Inclusive Innovation Win Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024-25
Bengaluru: Six youth-led startups have been named winners of the 7th Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024–25 held for their innovative solutions that advance disability inclusion and accessibility. The winning ventures were selected from across India for their bold ideas, entrepreneurial drive, and commitment to transforming the lives of persons with disabilities through technology, education, and inclusive care models. Co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation, organized together with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and implemented by AssisTech Foundation (ATF), Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge has become a platform for empowering youth-led innovation and advancing the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hosted in collaboration with the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Bangalore, the winners were announced at the culmination of a five-day residential bootcamp held recently. This programme brought together 18 youth-led startups—selected from more than 200 applicants nationwide—for mentorship, technical guidance, and opportunities to refine and present their solutions. This seventh edition of the Youth Co:Lab Innovation Challenge focused on empowering young innovators and entrepreneurs with disabilities, fostering solutions that enhance access, opportunity, and well-being for persons with disabilities. Following a high-impact jury evaluation on 12 June, six startups were selected for their scalable, high-impact solutions across three key categories: Inclusive and Accessible Assistive Technology (AT), Inclusive Educational Technology and Skilling Solutions and Accessible and Inclusive Care Models. The Three Winning Startups and 3 Runners Up of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2024-25 are the following Winners Yadukrishnan K, Mediqor Aid Technologies, Sanchit Jhunjhunwala, Translead Medtech, Nidhi, NEMA AI. Runners-Up Duplikhum L Langtithonger, Zeliang Codetech, Shraddha Agarwal, SignSetu, Srishti Srivastava, Infiheal Healthtech. Each of the winning startups received tailored seed support of INR 3,00,000 along with capacity-building opportunities. The three runners-up were also recognized for their promising contributions and awarded INR 2,00,000 each to further develop their solutions and scale their impact. The winners were felicitated by Amit Kumar, Head- Sustainable Inclusive Growth, UNDP India and Prateek Madhav, CEO and Co-Founder, AssisTech Foundation. Furthermore, a special address was delivered virtually by Manmeet Nanda, Additional Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Speaking at the event, Dr. Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, UNDP India said, 'Since 2019, Youth Co:Lab has grown into a pan-India movement — empowering over 250 youth-led ventures from every region of the country. These young innovators come from all walks of life, but their solutions are driving deep social impact — reaching those who need it most, including rural, tribal, and underserved communities'. She added, 'These startups are not only tackling complex local challenges — they are scaling, creating jobs, building innovation ecosystems, and taking homegrown ideas to the global stage. This year's focus on disability-led innovation is a powerful step toward a more inclusive startup landscape. With nearly 27 million persons with disabilities in India, we must ensure innovation works for everyone. Together with Atal Innovation Mission, Citi Foundation, and AssisTech Foundation, we are proud to back grassroots solutions that advance accessibility, dignity, and opportunity — from every corner of India to the world.' Prateek Madhav, CEO and Co-Founder, AssisTech Foundation, emphasized his view on youth innovation, 'Innovative solutions that advance accessibility and inclusion, especially those led by young entrepreneurs from the disability community, must be championed through platforms like Youth Co:Lab. At AssisTech Foundation (ATF), we are proud to have partnered with UNDP, Citi Foundation and AIM for the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge, as we recognize the importance of supporting solutions that address underserved and often overlooked areas of need.' The entrepreneurs also received a virtual message of encouragements from Sanjana Sanghi, Actor, and UNDP Champion and Subhayu Mishra, Managing Director and Head Global Public Affairs, India and South Asia - Communications, Marketing, Citi India. Youth Co:Lab, co-created in 2017 by UNDP and Citi Foundation, aims to establish a common agenda for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to empower and invest in youth, so that they can advance the implementation of SDGs. Youth Co:Lab was launched in India in 2019 with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog. Since 2019, Youth Co:Lab has supported more than 250 youth-led social enterprises in India, spanning diverse thematic areas such as climate action, gender equality, sustainable consumption, and mental health.
