With devastating wildfires, record heat and extreme flooding increasing globally, the world’s leading scientists have confirmed the world is warmer now than any time in the past 125,000 years.
Global discussions at UNGA in New York in September will be a key milestone in the run up to this year’s United Nation’s COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, with nations facing tense and difficult decisions ahead.
Meanwhile, billions hold their breath as the world waits to discover the impact of rapidly transmissible Covid-19 variants in developing countries, as issues of aid, equality, gender and mental health continue to provoke outrage and spur on leaders to challenge established orthodoxies.
Keeping Us All Safe
What the Goals House team will be doing
- Every morning, those working at the event will take a rapid COVID-19 test. Only those with a negative result will attend Goals House in person
- All staff will sanitise their hands and complete a temperature check upon arrival at the event
- Staff will wash hands regularly throughout the day and practice social distancing
- Venue staff will ensure all areas of the House are sanitised at regular intervals throughout the day
- All staff working the event will wear a face mask at all times, we will have extra masks for any guests who do not have their own
- We’re strategically holding this year’s Goals House @ UNGA at a large venue to allow guests to socially distance at their own comfort level.
What we are asking of our Goals House guests
- All guests will be required to provide a proof of vaccination (digital or paper) and valid ID upon check-in
- Unvaccinated attendees with medical or religious exemptions must provide proof of exemption status on arrival
- Exempt attendees must provide a negative rapid test result taken within 72 hours prior to the event
- Unvaccinated attendees with medical or religious exemptions must wear acceptable face coverings at all times; unless actively eating or drinking while seated
- If you are displaying any COVID-related symptoms, for your safety and the safety of others we ask that you do not attend the event
- We ask that all guests please wash/sanitise their hands regularly (we will be providing hand sanitiser)
- If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with the Goals House team at any time
We are grateful to all those who participate in Goals House for continuing to support us with these measures and we look forward to welcoming you at Goals House UNGA Week.
Goals House UNGA Week Schedule
Monday 20th September
VIRTUAL
NEW YORK
08:00 – 08:30 EST
EMISSION IMPOSSIBLE?
How we can successfully transition to a zero-carbon economy
Join this fireside discussion with Greg Jackson, CEO & Founder of Octopus Energy and Jules Kortenhorst, CEO of the Rocky Mountain Institute, to discuss pathways towards a successful transition to a zero-carbon economy.
The number of countries, cities and businesses announcing pledges to reduce carbon emissions over the coming decades continues to grow. Whilst it is critical for governments to pass comprehensive climate policies, there is a real fear that these pledges will fall short and prevent us from limiting the global temperate rise to 1.5˚ C. So, the question remains; what further steps can we take to achieve net-zero and what will this actually mean for governments, businesses and people around the world?
Many believe that innovation and disruptive technologies will be the key to driving the energy transition and give us our best chance at achieving net-zero. Technology has consistently demonstrated its power and potential to help find solutions to difficult global challenges, but as the climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges of our times, can it be the pathway towards a successful transition to a zero-carbon economy?
VIRTUAL
NEW YORK
08:30 – 09:30 EST
MOTORSPORT
The unexpected driver of sustainable transformation
This panel discussion explores how SDGs are the building blocks for the future of sport, how motorsport is the unexpected sport leading the way for sustainability and how organisations like Extreme E hope to provide a template for a climate positive future.
Moderated by Professor Carlos M. Duarte, Distinguished Professor, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and Extreme E Scientific Committee
Joined by Alejandro Agag, Extreme E Founder and CEO
Louisa Tholstrup, Extreme E Legacy Programme Leader
Sébastien Loeb, Nine-Time World Rally Champion and Driver for X44
and Christiana Figueres, Co-founder of Global Optimism and former Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC (2010-2016)
HYBRID
NEW YORK
09:30 – 10:30 EST
SCALING UP ACTION: COLLABORATING FOR A RESILIENT RECOVERY
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the intimate relationship between our planet’s health and the health of people, drawing attention to the urgency with which we must respond to and deal with climate change. Scientists have made it clear we have a small window to act if we want to prevent irreversible damage. AB InBev will host an engaging panel discussion on actions needed to scale-up sustainable initiatives in a time of global uncertainty, and why a collaborative effort towards a resilient recovery is a moral imperative and an economic necessity.
Joined by Ezgi Barcenas, Chief Sustainability Officer,
AB InBev and Diane Holdorf, Managing Director, WBCSD
IN PERSON
NEW YORK
11:00 – 12:00 EST
BUILDING RESILIENCE:
THE FUTURE OF PROTECTING GLOBAL HEALTH
A roundtable discussion convened by Reckitt to address the eco system of issues that have derived from the COVID pandemic and how next time we can collaborate more effectively to overcome them. With strong scientific evidence that pandemics will become more prevalent, learning from the impact on multiple parts of society will help us to increase our resilience.
With speakers from Kinsa, an early warning system built to detect and respond to contagious illness, the roundtable will look ahead at what next and how we can better prepare ahead of flu season and beyond and their role in the new normal. Reckitt will also be making an announcement with the New York City Department of Education.
New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs, Penny Abeywardena will be opening this dynamic roundtable, with speakers including Julia Cox, Director of Goals 17 Partners, Her Excellence Toyin Saraki, Founder of Wellbeing Foundation Africa as well as others from University of California, Hello Butterfly and Goal 17 Partners.
VIRTUAL
NEW YORK
12:30 - 13:00 EST
WALL STREET JOURNAL:
In Conversation with Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President, African Development Bank Group
The world is rebuilding from a devastating global pandemic and navigating the impacts of economic contraction and an alarming climate crisis. Development Finance Institutions have a major role to play in accelerating the achievement of the 2030 agenda. The Sustainable Development Goals are also Africa’s goals. As such, the African Development Bank Group is uniquely positioned to provide leadership, vision, and guidance, for the world’s most populous continent. In a fireside conversation with WSJ Frontier Market’s Editor Dan Keeler, the Bank’s President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, will discuss ongoing efforts to finance and accelerate recovery, innovative solutions and inclusive growth in Africa.
Moderated by Dan Keeler, Frontier Markets Editor, The Wall Street Journal.
Joined by Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, President, African Development Bank Group.
IN PERSON
NEW YORK
14:00 -15:00 EST
INTERSEXIONS:
Autonomy around sexual health, sexual choices and intimate wellness
With millions of adults self-isolating, 2020 pushed us to learn how to connect with ourselves and our partners in new ways with an increased exploration of intimate wellness.
Reckitt will convene a high-level roundtable bringing together individuals who represent this culturally dynamic ecosystem enabling us to drive mutual understanding of the issues at hand, and proactively advocate for solutions to enable female/girls’ empowerment, redefine sex education, and celebrate autonomy over sexual choices.
This roundtable will be moderated by Melissa Mahtani (Senior Producer, CNN) and feature an exclusive screening of a new CNN documentary clip titled ‘Not yet satisfied: Talking sex and sexuality in Africa’, followed by remarks from director Eliza Anyangwe.
IN PERSON
NEW YORK
16:00 - 17:00 EST
THE OVERLOOKED SOLUTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE:
Educating Girls
Goals House and Girl Rising will convene a panel discussion on how educating girls is a one of the most powerful tools in addressing global climate change and its unprecedented effects. The panel will focus on the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and the transformative impact of educating women.
Speakers include
Christina Lowery, CEO, Girl Rising
Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Assistant Secretary-General and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Partnerships
Shelby Buso, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mayor of Atlanta’s Office
Lauren Ritchie, Bahamian student activist.
IN PERSON
NEW YORK
18:00 - 20:00 EST
FASHION AVENGERS RECEPTION
Project Everyone and the Council of Fashion Designers of America are delighted to invite you to the US launch of Fashion Avengers.
After launching in the UK earlier this year, the Fashion Avengers will be convening across the pond for the very first time to celebrate UNGA and kick-off a week-long Global Goals activation on New York’s iconic 5th Avenue in partnership with the Fifth Avenue Association.
Moderated by James Townsend, Global CEO at Stagwell Media Network
Joined by Steven Kolb, CEO at CFDA
Nancy DeVore, Senior Director Strategic Relations at Salesforce
& the Swarovski Foundation
With special performance
Tuesday 21st September
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LONDON
12:30 BST
GOALS HOUSE
Exclusive screenings of our UNGA panels live from NYC.
HYBRID
NEW YORK
08:00 - 09:00 EST
SUSTAINABLE CITIES:
Why Living in a City is the Most Sustainable Move You Could Make
With the climate crisis evolving at an alarming rate, major cities across the world are being forced to come to terms that they face potential extinction unless urgent action is taken. How can advances in technology help protect cities and their inhabitants and what can the world learn from established sustainable and smart cities? Moderated by The Guardian, this panel will convene industry leaders in a discussion reimagining smart, resilient and sustainable cities of tomorrow.
Moderated by Alastair Gee, The Guardian
Joined by Shelby Buso, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Atlanta
Miguel Gamino, EVP, MasterCard
Sabra Noordean, Special Envoy for Climate Change for the Maldives
Theo Blackwell, Chief Digital Officer for the City of London
HYBRID
NEW YORK
9:30 - 10:30 EST
FINANCING THE FUTURE OF SDGs:
Uncovering the contributions of International Financial Institutions
Bayer will be convening discussion drawing on the importance of partnerships and how businesses in the private sector can place the work they do with IFIs into their broader strategy in order to achieve SDG targets at a timely pace. The panel wants to highlight the power of partnerships and coalitions in financing the SDGs as well as provide a deep dive into what financing the future of SDGs looks like.
Speakers include Helga Flores Trejo, Vice President, Public Affairs International Organizations, Bayer
Jessica Bedoya, Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer, Inter-American Development Bank
Michelle Scheinmann, Public Affairs Manager, Mars
Giuseppe Mancinelli, Deputy Director of UNOPS, Latin America and the Caribbean
and Andre Fourie, Global Director: Water Sustainability, AB InBev
HYBRID
11:00 - 12:00 EST
17:00-18:00 SAST
EQUALITY IN GLOBAL PHILANTHROPY:
Finding a fairer way forward for African civil society organisations
An insightful discussion convened by Vodafone Foundation will examine the barriers faced by civil society organisations in Africa in accessing funding from charitable organisations, what impact this has on the region’s development, and the attitudes underpinning the issue. Panellists will examine the factors at play, highlight solutions, and examine how to facilitate meaningful change across the philanthropic sector, to best support and accelerate the development of organisations on the ground in Africa.
Moderator:
Lord Michael Hastings – Baron Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE
Joined by
Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Chair, African Philanthropy Forum
Ulrika Modéer, UN Assistant Secretary General, UNDP / Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy
Taki Netshitenzhe, Vodacom Group External Affairs Director / Chair, Vodacom Foundation
Kennedy Odede, CEO, SHOFCO
Joakim Reiter, Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer, Vodafone Group / Trustee, Vodafone Group Foundation
VIRTUAL
NEW YORK
12:30 - 13:30 EST
#CHANGETHEFACE
Accelerating diversity and inclusion in the tech sector
Vodafone Group is hosting the official launch event of the #ChangeTheFace alliance; an industry-wide initiative calling on changemakers to join and take action to increase diversity and equality in the tech sector. This new industry leading alliance will collaborate on common initiatives, share knowledge, information and best practice, to help the wider industry to create a long lasting and meaningful change in Tech. Representatives from member organisations including Ericsson, Deloitte, UN Women and PWC will be joining an insightful panel discussion.
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13:30-14:00 EST
MISSION: JOY CO-DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER, PEGGY CALLAHAN, GOES HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH MATT BARBET
In these dark and divided days, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have joined forces one last time for a final mission: to teach us all how to live with more joy, despite circumstances. Their forthcoming film, Mission: JOY – Finding Happiness in Troubled Times premiered at Tribeca and will be distributed globally.
Alongside the film is a JOY Campaign that links individual Acts of JOY, scientifically proven to help us feel better immediately, to effective action on climate and social justice in support of the SDGs. The Campaign is partnering with top neuroscience and research psychology institutions on the largest-ever citizen science project focused on joy, to be launched in October.
VIRTUAL
NEW YORK
14:00 - 15:00 EST
UNEP AND TREES FOR JANE ON THEIR BATTLE TO SAVE THE TREES
This discussion provides a platform for the screening of “A Trillion Trees’’ – a new film produced by Jeff Horowitz and narrated by Dr. Jane Goodall.
Following this, to launch her new campaign, ‘Trees for Jane’, Jane will be joined by her co-founder Jeff Horowitz, and Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, in a conversation centred around their ambitions for Trees for Jane and to address a broader conversation around trees as one of the solutions for climate change.
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VIRTUAL
15:00-15:30 EST
JOHN PRENDERGAST IN CONVERSATION WITH MATT BARBET
John Prendergast, Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Activist, New York Times best-selling author and Co-Founder of The Sentry, an investigative and policy team that follows the dirty money connected to war criminals and transnational war profiteers, will join a conversation with Matt Barbet, former BBC presenter, to discuss current campaigns.
IN PERSON
NEW YORK
15:30 - 18:30 EST
ONE YOUNG WORLD DOCUMENTARY LAUNCH
A documentary commissioned by Ovation TV, America’s only arts network, entitled The Young Leaders – One Young World Stories. This celebratory film charts the progress of six remarkable young leaders from across the world, all of whom have been supported by the organisation One Young World. The documentary covers key Global Goals including gender equality, biodiversity, LGBT+ rights, and refugees; following the inspiring stories of six young leaders and the support they have received from One Young World.
The film is being produced by Blue Planet Films; directed by Bruce Robertson.
VIRTUAL
NEW YORK
TBC
H.E. MONICA GEINGOS FIRST LADY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA HEAD TO HEAD WITH BLOOMBERG
LONDON
TIME TBC
BUSINESS AVENGERS DINNER
The Business Avengers will host a dinner in our London hub to discuss the importance of business contribution to the SDGs.
LONDON
19:30 BST UNTIL LATE
GOALS HOUSE PARTY
Exclusive Global Goals Party to celebrate UNGA week with a special performance.
Wednesday 22nd September
VIRTUAL
NEW YORK
08:00 – 09:00 EST
THE POWER OF PURPOSE:
How Business Leadership can drive sustainability
Goals House and Bayer will convene a panel with partners from different sectors to discuss the power of purpose in business and the role of business in driving sustainable development and climate action. The panel will examine the role of purpose driven businesses and whether the global business community is up to the challenge of achieving the SDGs and who it needs to engage and partner with to deliver.
Moderated by Rachel White, President, theguardian.org.
Speakers include Mathias Berninger, SVP Public Affairs & Sustainability at Bayer
Steve Varley, Global Vice Chair at EY, Claire O’Neill, Managing Director for Climate and Energy at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and Gail Gallie, Co-founder at Project Everyone.
HYBRID
09:30 - 10:30 EST | 14:30-15:30 BST
15:30-16:30 CEST | 06:30-07:30 PST
HOW COVID-19 IS CHANGING THE WAY THE WORLD THINKS ABOUT VACCINES:
Lessons for the future of global health
The UK Cabinet Office are hosting a discussion which will explore the evolution of public sentiment around vaccines from before the pandemic to present day. It will identify the most effective approaches adopted – from enhanced public perception and misinformation tracking to rapid message deployment – to build confidence in vaccines and promote uptake. Our speakers will consider which approaches deployed during the pandemic are applicable to other immunisation programmes and are sustainable long-term.
VIRTUAL
NEW YORK
10:30 - 11:00 EST
15:30 - 16:00 BST
INCURABLE DISEASES
The use of innovation in the race for a breakthrough
Nicola Mendelsohn, Founder of the Follicular Lymphoma Foundation will be discussing with CNBC’s Tania Bryer, how through tech, research, and innovation we can tackle some of the world’s incurable diseases. This head-to-head on ‘Incurable diseases – the use of innovation in the race for a breakthrough’ will focus on the power of innovation in modern medicine, taking a look at case studies who have used tech, innovation and research to make breakthroughs. The conversation will also look to critically discuss the future role of technology in healthcare.
VIRTUAL
NEW YORK
11:30-12:30 EST
16:30-17:30 BST
TREES FOR JANE ACTIVIST ROUNDTABLE
This session, hosted by Jane Goodall, will convene a group of youth climate activists to discuss the importance of trees and more specifically the importance of Trees for Jane. The group will discuss the protection, restoration and planting of trees, as a tangible solution to climate breakdown.
This discussion will look to rally the next generation of climate activists to take ownership of their environments, wherever they are in the world, through trees.
13:00-13:30 EST
VISIONS OF THE FUTURE: IN CONVERSATION WITH KAI-FU LEE
Over the last 18 months, the pandemic has halted or reversed significant years of progress. Now, with less than a decade left to deliver on the 2030 agenda, humanity is at a critical juncture in our pursuit of the SDGs.
70% of the 169 Global Goal targets can be directly supported by advanced technologies, which means the tech industry has a significant role to play in addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges.
As the world rebuilds, harnessing the power of transformative science, technology and innovation (STI) presents a formidable opportunity to help shape a smarter and more equitable world — but also clear risks and challenges.
Kai-Fu Lee, Chairman and CEO of Sinovation Ventures and author of the new book, AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future joins Nick Thompson, CEO of the Atlantic in an important conversation on how AI will change the way we live, exploring the profound impacts of technology on our collective future – from work and healthcare to our lives at home and the cities we live in.
14:30-15:00 EST
MARK VINS IN CONVERSATION WITH RACHEL WHITE
Mark Vins, the CEO of the Brave Wilderness channel on YouTube, has spent his life witnessing first-hand the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss. In this head-to-head discussion with the Rachel White, President of theguardian.org, the pair will discuss how Mark’s experience as an adventurer, film maker and director on the channel, gives him a unique perspective in understanding the complex issues at the heart of the sustainability crisis and how to harness the potential of platforms like YouTube, to tell nature stories and inspire people to take part in conservation.
VIRTUAL
NEW YORK
15:00-16:00 EST | 20:00 - 21:00 WAT | 23:00 - 00:00 GST
CONSCIOUS FINTECH:
Bridging the Inequality Gap
How can we harness the potential of FinTech to overcome barriers to financial inclusion and bridge the inequality gap?
Moderated by Benjamin Pimentel, Senior Reporter, FinTech, Protocol.
Joined by Topsy Kola-Oyeneyin, Global Partner, McKinsey & Company,
Samir Goel, Co-Founder, Esusu, Patricia Pomies, Chief Operating Officer, Globant and
Mark Cutis, CEO, Abu Dhabi Global Market.
As the global economic recession compounds the devastating impacts, the need for affordable, effective, and safe financial services – and access to them – has never been more urgent. Sitting at the intersection of eight of the 17 goals, financial inclusion is positioned prominently as an enabler of the 2030 Global Goals. This panel will convene leading global experts, entrepreneurs and executives discussing how to leverage fintech as a force for good in shaping the post-Covid world.
HYBRID
NEW YORK
16:00 - 17:00 EST
A CROSS-SECTOR APPROACH TO VACCINE EQUITY
How can we end the COVID-19 pandemic and secure the global recovery? This question was at the top of the agenda during the G7 Summit in June. Three months on, a dangerous gap between richer and poorer nations persists. AB InBev will host a panel discussion exploring the role of public-private partnerships in tackling vaccine inequality and distribution disparities. Panellists will also discuss the devastating social and economic impacts of COVID-19, and the key priorities in building back better for all.
Joined by Robert Skinner, Deputy Director and Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement, United Nations.
Thursday 23rd September
HYBRID
NEW YORK + LONDON
PANEL: 11:00 -12:00 EST | 16:00- 17:00 BST
RECEPTION: 12:00 -13:30 EST | 17:00 – 18:30 BST
THE POWER OF AI TO ENSURE EQUITY IN HEALTHCARE
Technology is now being used in all facets of health care, from research to the doctor’s office, to the operating room and beyond. But how do we ensure the health care system itself benefits from these advanced technologies, specifically so that all people, especially those in underserved populations, have the access and quality of care they deserve? At Goals House, Community Jameel, Wellcome and the MIT Abdul Latif Jameel Clinic for Machine Learning in Health (Jameel Clinic) will convene a high-level meeting of leaders to explore this topic and the solutions they feel are necessary for future success.
Hosted by George Richards, Director, Community Jameel
Tariq Khokhar, Head of Data for Science and Health, Wellcome
Moderated by Miriam Sabin, Senior Editor at The Lancet
Joined by Regina Barzilay, School of Engineering, Distinguished Professor of AI and Health and AI faculty lead for Jameel Clinic, and Dr. Edson Amaro Jr, Head of the Big Data Initiative at the Albert Einstein Hospital, São Paulo, Dina Katabi, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, Director of the MIT Wireless Center, Najat Khan, Chief Data Science Officer at Janssen R&D, and Ziad Obermeyer, Associate Professor at UC Berkeley.
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11.10-12.20 EST
16.10-17.20 BST
LEADERS ON PURPOSE EVENT
Goals House are excited to be hosting Leaders on Purpose summit. More to be announced soon.
IN PERSON
NEW YORK
17:00-20:00 EST
FILM BEGINS AT 18:00
YOUTH UNSTOPPABLE
A powerful documentary about the rise of the youth climate movement, told through the eyes of youth climate activists.
Goals House, now in its third year, has convened many of the world’s most influential figures behind the drive to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is a sustainable sanctuary, designed to host ground-breaking debates and discussions with internationally-renowned activists, thinkers, politicians, personalities, business leaders and entrepreneurs in order to make meaningful progress towards achieving the Global Goals.
This year, Goals House is focusing on the road to COP, gathering pace and momentum with key moments throughout the year including G7 and UNGA.
For more information please get in touch at goalshouse@freuds.com and follow us @GoalsHouse on Instagram.