- Date & Time: 14 November 2025 at 11:30 am-12:30 pm (Baku Time)
- Venue: GORD Pavilion, Blue Zone, Pavilion # F3
- Register here to participate online
Objective:
This event seeks to strengthen South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTrC) by highlighting the potential of collaborative innovation, coherent solution portfolio building, and building resilient development pathways. As a key milestone in the operationalization of the UNOSSC’s South-South and Triangular Cooperation Solutions Lab, launched together with Gulf Organisation for Research and Development, World Food Programme, International Atomic Energy Agency, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Masdar City and Zayed International Foundation for Environment, this event aligns with the Lab’s mission to address complex development challenges through co-design, incubation, financing and scaling of innovative solutions, all contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The overall goal of the event is to catalyze impactful South-South and triangular cooperation through strategic partnerships, innovative challenges, and scalable solutions.
Key outcomes of the event:
- Enhanced cross-sector SSTrC partnerships that drive impactful and aligned initiatives through shared expertise, resources, and innovation.
- Increased generation of innovative ideas and initiatives addressing key development challenges within the Global South, catalyzed by the first Innovation Challenge Call.
- Elevated visibility of successful development solutions, demonstrating technology viability, scalability, and relevance at regional and global levels.
- Established frameworks for cohesive solution portfolios that support the Solutions Lab’s cross-sectoral incubation efforts in climate tech, renewable energy, digital transformation, sustainable agriculture, financial inclusion, and beyond.
During this event, an MOU will be signed between UNOSSC and GORD, formalizing a partnership that emphasizes the potential of SSTrC for advancing sustainable development across several thematic areas. The event is well-aligned with the COP29 agenda, especially in areas that emphasize collaborative innovation, capacity building, and solution-oriented portfolios for sustainable development.
Agenda:
- Moderated by: Dr. Ammar Elhoweris, Head of Technology and Innovation, GORD
11:00 am – 11:20 am: Networking and refreshments
11:20am – 11:40am: Welcome Remarks:
- Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman, Gulf Organization for Research and Development (Host of the event)
- Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator, UNDP (TBC)
- Ms. Dima Al-Khatib, Director, United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)
Remarks by partners:
- Mr. Liu Hua, Deputy Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency
- Prof. Dr. Mohamad Ahmed Bin Fahad, Chairman, Zayed International Foundation for Environment
11:40 am – 11:50 am: Official signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between UNOSSC and the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD)
11:50 am – 12:05 pm: Presentation of the globally launched first Innovation Challenge Call
12:05 pm – 12:25 pm: Showcasing of key development solutions
- 12:05 pm – 12:15 pm Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD)
- 12:15 pm – 12:25 pm Zayed International Foundation for Environment
12:25 pm – 12:30 pm: Q/A and Closing