Stockholm (NordSIP) – The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has officially launched its Global Innovation Centre (GIC) located in Lund’s IDEON Science Park. The creation of the centre was announced in November 2018, during the UNOPS Private Sector Forum held at UN City in Copenhagen. Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation agency, provides funding and guidance to the UNOPS Global Innovation Centre.
The UNOPS GIC’s goal is to create an environment that facilitates the innovation and partnerships necessary to identify the solutions and technologies needed to tackle the climate crisis and achieve long-term sustainable development.
“The scale and ambition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mean that we all need to work together to find innovative solutions to our world’s biggest challenges,” says Grete Faremo, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNOPS Executive Director. “This centre provides a space to foster partnerships that help think outside the box and achieve a better world for all.”
The new centre in Lund is the second science and innovation centre launched by UNOPS this year, following the successful launch of a similar initiative in Antigua and Barbuda at the beginning of 2018.
Built 35 years ago next to Lund University, the IDEON Science Park seeks to connect science and research with innovators and entrepreneurs. Wihlborgs, Castellum and Vasakronan own the science park.
“I am pleased that the UN, through UNOPS, has rightly identified Lund and Sweden as attractive places for innovation and entrepreneurship,” commented Sweden’s Minister for Business, Industry and Innovation, Ibrahim Baylan, who attended the event. “We have a lot to offer here. By establishing the center [in Lund], Sweden’s world-leading innovation capacity can continue to help solve the global challenges addressed in Agenda 2030 and at the same time strengthen Swedish competitiveness,” he added.
Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation, Peter Eriksson, said that solving some of the world’s significant challenges requires a strong focus on innovation and research.
“International development assistance must become more efficient and better utilise modern technology as an integral part of poverty reduction and reducing environmental problems,” said Minister Eriksson.
Image Courtesy of UNOPS
