Early this year I received an invitation from Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Hamburg Sustainability Conference HSC, announced by Chancellor Olaf Scholz at UNGA in New York. It was an invitation that led to several video calls over the past months to bring to life a different kind of multilateral gathering.
I have three key takeaways to share with you.
1. The convening is a unique one, intent on action, collaboration and co-creation as a driving force. As a precursor to the HSC, there were regional gatherings of private sector CEOs, governments and civil society under the auspices of GIZ and the German embassy in Kenya. I co-hosted the Kenya gathering with GIZ. The inputs shaped the agenda and priority areas for HSC; by providing a reframing and further clarifying the intent and outcomes of the HSC.
2. The opportunity to be at the global intersection of themes that matter to me; technology, diplomacy and sustainability was an honor and privilege. I believe in the amplification power of technology. It is a key enabler that if harnessed, can help to accelerate progress on SDGs. I see SDGs as collective embodiment of humanity’s intent. It is a precarious time in the world as the focus is on widening wars, clear and present effects of global warming. The floods experienced in Kenya, parts of Europe like Germany, Austria, Brazil etc, crisis of misinformation, deep fakes, filter bubbles and more. There is abject paralysis of multilateral institutions to act. The world is changing where exponential tech is changing the landscape rapidly, leading to volatility and uncertainty. The HSC provided a space for leaders to look at the precarious world and lean on collaboration, on progress and renewed focus on SDGs. There were working sessions on rebuilding (earning) trust in institutions that were particularly encouraging to me. The key takeaway is that this rebuilding can happen when all interactions are geared towards our shared intent, interests and yes… shared pain.
3. The role of business and leadership in advancing SDGs cannot be underestimated. This point was discussed by the chairs of HSC Council Dr. Achim Steiner and Michael Otto, founder of Otto Group. These conversations reminded me of the great Bob Collymore who showed us what can happen when business embeds SDGs, people, planet, profit, into company culture and action. Bob elevated the conversations and actions in a way that endures in all leaders who were lucky to interact with and be inspired by him. Participating in these conversations, forging partnerships for action on SDGs honors the memory of Bob Collymore. Thankful for the opportunity.
I am recommitting to building tech that matters, right now that is in the sphere of digital public infrastructure; providing platforms and services for citizens, business & governments in Kenya, Africa and indeed the world. Recommitting to doing this with my team, and board by building partnerships that drive sustainability.
More information and videos about Hamburg Sustainability council are available on HSC linkedin