LOOKING BACK AT THE FIRST G-STIC CONFERENCE IN 2017

Catalysing change for sustainable development

The first edition of the G-STIC conference identified market-ready, innovative technological solutions needed to achieve the SDGs.

1000 conference participants from 80 countries focused on integrated solutions that work across disciplines and sectors, and that are scalable and sustainable both from a societal and economic perspective. They assessed how to promote and accelerate their deployment to help resolve the myriad of sustainable development challenges that lie ahead.

The 2017 G-STIC conference provided deep insights, in particular paying attention to underserved and marginalized communities. In particular, this helped identify holistic solutions that can be applied now and work for small scale farmers and rural households as well as multi-nationals and start-ups.

The discussions during the conference highlighted that, to catalyse change for sustainable development, we need to break down institutional barriers, revisit established concepts, change laws, regulations and habits. Above all, it is vital to work across sectors, promote new business models and value chains, demonstrate how the combination of integrated solutions and new business models works, and rethink local, national and global policy making. That requires commercial and political leadership to advocate and make the changes that are good for people, planet and prosperity.

Chairperson Summary

Reporting key messages emerging from the conference

The Chairperson Summary reports the major messages emerging from the conference, delivering an excellent starting point to ensure that the messages of the 2017 G-STIC conference are heard by policy makers and industry leaders alike.

Four key findings clearly emerged from the 2017 G-STIC conference, and provide the backbone of the Chairperson Summary.

Technologies are readily available

Many technologies needed to achieve SDG-related targets are readily available. What we need to do is develop strategies for their deployment at scale.

solutions for food & energy SDGs

Widely distributed and bottom-up solutions are to drive the realisation of the energy and food SDGs, two key SDGs for achieving Agenda 2030.

A new industry framework is vital

A transition to an industry framework based on circular economy and enabled by smart manufacturing is vital to maximise resource productivity.

ICT is a key technology enabler

ICT is a key technology enabler for achieving the SDGs and create opportunities for strengthening sustainable lifestyles and production processes.

1000 participants from 80 countries

Building a growing sustainable technology and innovation community