Action Lab for Development

It’s Day Four of the , and our wonderful delegates are looking amazing in their ACTLAB T-Shirts! 🤩

Today’s morning session centred on strengthening alliances for the implementation of the SDGs. Christian shared that, during this session: “The panelists and delegates talked about the necessity of collaboration, motivation, and inclusion. It made me think of the work we do at ACTLAB. We collaborate from all over the world, we include diverse perspectives and we’re motivated to make a difference through the work that we do.”

On top of this, there were also two Official Meetings on Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), during which countries had the opportunity to present their progress, challenges and priorities for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Both were attended by Amina, who writes: “Listening to Burkina Faso's presentation was one of the most inspiring moments of the day. Despite the country's many challenges, the Minister of Economy and Finance spoke with confidence about the progress they have achieved, from economic growth and improved public resources to reductions in poverty. What stood out to me most was his unwavering belief that Burkina Faso has a brighter future ahead. His optimism reminded me that sustainable development is built not only on policies and resources, but also on hope, resilience, and the determination to keep moving forward. It left me feeling encouraged that meaningful change is possible when leaders remain committed to their people and their vision for the future.”

Finally, another one of our delegates, Yiming, also attended a HLPF side-event in the ECOSOC Chamber, which focussed on accelerating energy system innovation and transition for equity and resilience, including discussions on how clean energy, infrastructure, innovation and international partnerships can support global sustainable development, especially under SDG 7. Yiming shares that: “One point that impressed me most was the statement from the Cuban representative, who criticized unilateral sanctions and highlighted how energy access is connected to development rights, fairness, and people’s basic needs. From ACTLAB’s perspective, the discussion was relevant to youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, and community resilience. Reliable and affordable energy is not only a technical issue, but also a foundation for education, small businesses, healthcare, and local development.
Overall, the event showed that clean energy transition requires innovation, international cooperation, and practical partnerships.”
Well done for another productive and inspiring day, team!