Since launching Generation17 in 2020, Samsung and UNDP have supported Young Leaders from across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America, addressing critical issues that span all 17 Global Goals. The partnership has provided these Young Leaders with the latest Samsung Galaxy technology, along with networking and mentorship opportunities, to amplify their stories and advance their work. The newest cohort, focused on advancing solutions in marine conservation, environmental sustainability, gender equality and quality education, reflects Samsung’s continued commitment to a more equitable future for all.

“As we accelerate efforts to achieve the Global Goals, we are proud to welcome the next cohort of Young Leaders to Generation17,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing, Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics. “Their passion, creativity and commitment to addressing global challenges embody the spirit of innovation that fuels meaningful change. We look forward to seeing how these five new Young Leaders will leverage technology for good to inspire action, mobilize communities and create lasting impact for a more sustainable and equitable world.”

Five Global Changemakers

The newest Generation17 Young Leaders were selected from hundreds of applicants and bring new areas of expertise to the initiative, expanding the reach of Generation17. As members of the Generation17 community, they will leverage technology and global platforms to advocate for the issues that matter most to them.

Brigitta Gunawan (Indonesia) – An ocean-climate advocate who has engaged with over 15,000 people in 100+ locations with environmental education and marine conservation opportunities through her organizations 30×30 Indonesia and Diverseas.

“At 17, it struck me that we were nothing but a small speck in a big world that remains largely unexplored—that if we continued as bystanders, we would see this fragile ecosystem cripple within our lifetime—so there I was, ready to co-create a future where people and planet prosper.”

José Francisco Ochoa (Ecuador) — A biologist and co-founder of Academia del Océano, an edtech platform promoting marine conservation, digital tools and sustainability in Spanish-speaking communities, equipping thousands with the tools to protect marine ecosystems.

“The ocean sustains life, yet many don’t realize how deeply connected we are to it. We must embrace innovation, education and collective action to protect our blue planet before it’s too late.”

Renata Koch Alvarenga (Brazil) — Founder and Executive Director of EmpoderaClima, a youth-led organization advocating for climate justice by addressing the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and promoting girls’ climate action.

“Climate disasters are exacerbating gender inequality, but through the Global Goals, we can raise awareness of the need for women’s leadership in climate decision-making and ensure no one is left behind.”

Rahaf Abu Mayyaleh (Jordan) — A climate activist, sustainable technology advocate and founder of IBTKRGO, which develops eco-friendly educational kits using recyclable materials, including e-waste, to empower youth with digital skills.

“Green technology is key to a sustainable future, and young innovators have the power to lead this transformation. Through IBTKRGO, I strive to bridge the gap between technology and sustainability, ensuring solutions that serve both people and the planet.”

Soumya Dabriwal (India) — Co-founder of Project Baala, a social enterprise addressing menstrual hygiene and reproductive health access through innovative solutions, including the sustainable distribution of reusable sanitary products and educational initiatives to de-stigmatize women’s health while generating employment for women.

“Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is a fundamental human right. Through collective advocacy and innovation, we can break barriers, challenge stigmas and build a world where everyone has the freedom and resources to make informed choices about their own bodies and futures.”

Elevating Youth Voices for Global Action

Since the launch of Generation17 in 2020, Samsung and UNDP have partnered to empower Young Leaders—helping them amplify their stories and accelerate their efforts to drive meaningful change in communities across the world. Additionally, the initiative provides opportunities for Young Leaders to showcase their impact on a global scale.

In the coming months, these Young Leaders will attend various major global events, where they will engage with policymakers, innovators and fellow changemakers. Through these platforms, they will contribute to international conversations on sustainable development and drive tangible progress toward the Global Goals, ensuring that youth voices play a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable future. This year, Generation17 alum Tamara Gondo took the stage at Samsung’s Galaxy Tech Forum, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainability and the power of collaboration with like-minded partners to tackle worldwide challenges. She also shared how the initiative has helped scale her organization’s impact since she joined in 2022.

“Young people are the future of global development, and with fewer than five years left to achieve the Global Goals, the time to act is now,” said Achim Steiner, Administrator of UNDP. “Through our long-standing partnership with Samsung, we are empowering youth to advance solutions that address climate and human rights challenges and to inspire a new generation to join the fight for a more sustainable and just future.”

Generation17 reflects the shared commitment of Samsung and UNDP to harness technology for positive impact. Their collaboration began in 2019 with the launch of the Samsung Global Goals App—a mobile platform that educates users about the Goals while enabling them to contribute through everyday use of their Galaxy devices. As detailed in Samsung’s Global Goals Report, as of September 2024, the app has been installed on nearly 300 million Samsung Galaxy devices worldwide—including smartphones, tablets and smartwatches—and has helped generate more than $20 million USD to support UNDP’s global environmental and social initiatives.

About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with a broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at www.undp.org.

About Generation17
Generation17 is an initiative from Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that elevates the voices of Young Leaders who are changing the world and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or ‘Global Goals.’ Samsung and UNDP are providing mentorship, technology and networking opportunities for the Young Leaders as they advance their work. Learn more at www.undp.org/generation17.

Gwynne Gauntlett, Global Digital Fundraising and Marketing Lead at United Nations Development Programme

“UNDP’s partnership with Samsung highlights the importance of integrating expertise, technology, innovation, and advocacy to effectively pursue the SDGs and inspire the next generation of global citizens to actively take meaningful actions.”

What does sustainability mean to the UNDP?

In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission coined the definition of sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Subsequently, in September 2015, the General Assembly embraced the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, encompassing 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Anchored in the principle of “leaving no one behind,” the 2030 Agenda underscores a comprehensive approach to attaining sustainable development for all.

For UNDP, sustainability lies at the heart of its mission, guiding its work towards creating a more equitable and resilient world. By adopting an integrated approach that addresses environmental concerns, economic development, and peacebuilding, UNDP plays a crucial role in promoting global sustainability. To learn more about UNDP’s strategic plan, please visit this link.

What are the key sustainability goals of the UNDP and how do they contribute to the broader global agenda for sustainable development?

While UNDP is dedicated to achieving the 17 SDGs outlined in the 2030 Agenda, its specific attention lies in poverty and inequality reduction, governance, resilience, environment, energy, and gender equality. As the leading agency within the United Nations for international development, UNDP operates in 170 countries and territories to support in eradicating poverty and diminishing inequality. For instance, by 2022, 25 million people gained access to basic services, with support from 44 UNDP offices and 11 million benefited from jobs and improved livelihoods in crisis or post-crisis settings in 2022; 49% being female. UNDP also assists nations in policy development, leadership enhancement, partnership building, and institutional strengthening, all geared towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

It is crucial to recognize that UNDP’s approach is multidimensional and interconnected, addressing the interdependencies between various SDGs to foster sustainable development worldwide. Visit this link to read UNDP’s Annual Report 2022.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.

How important is it to leverage innovation and technology to raise awareness and promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the significance of leveraging innovation and technology to raise awareness and promote the SDGs cannot be overstated. Without the advancements brought about by technology, we would not only be disconnected from the reality of our global challenges but also miss out on crucial opportunities to address the “Global Goals” outlined in the 2030 Agenda. In fact, flagship research by UNDP and the University of Denver found that targeted investments in digitalization, social protection, and the green economy could cut the number of people living in extreme poverty by 146 million by 2030. Hence, UNDP has made substantial investments in transforming into a digitally proficient organization that not only utilizes cutting-edge technology in its own operations but also assists developing nations in leveraging the benefits of the digital revolution.

We believe that, by harnessing the power of technology, fostering awareness, and promoting the SDGs, we are able to effectively reach and engage with a variety of audiences, inspire collective action, and mobilize resources to accelerate progress towards a sustainable future for all.

The Samsung Global Goals app enables Galaxy users to actively participate in creating a more promising future by learning more about the SDGs.

Could you elaborate on the UNDP’s approach to partnering with companies like Samsung to achieve sustainability goals? How do these partnerships contribute to the overall mission of the UNDP?

Addressing the most pressing challenges to achieve sustainable development is a shared responsibility, and today, we witness growing partnerships between various sectors, working together to tackle these challenges head-on. At UNDP, we highly value private-public sector partnerships as they play a pivotal role in advancing the SDGs and generating widespread awareness about them, which remains one of our top priorities.

UNDP’s work with Samsung shows how a strong and uniquely innovative digital partnership can take shape. Partnerships like this have the potential to act as models for upcoming resource mobilization approaches across the private sector. UNDP’s partnership with Samsung highlights the importance of integrating expertise, technology, innovation, and advocacy to effectively pursue the SDGs and inspire the next generation of global citizens to actively take meaningful actions to achieve them.

What specific areas or projects have the UNDP and Samsung collaborated on to address sustainability challenges? How have these collaborations made a tangible impact on the ground?

Since 2019, Samsung and UNDP have collaborated on advancing the SDGs through the Samsung Global Goals app and the Generation17 initiative.

The Samsung Global Goals app offers Galaxy users the opportunity to familiarize themselves with all 17 SDGs and their impact on communities worldwide. Through the app, users actively contribute to the achievement of these Global Goals by learning about each goal and making direct donations to UNDP to support its ongoing development work. With the app already installed on over 300 million Galaxy devices globally and accessible in 92 different languages, it has significantly expanded UNDP’s global outreach. While the donations received through the app have surpassed $10 million so far, it’s important to note that the primary objective of the partnership is not financial. Instead, the focus lies on leveraging our organizational strengths to make a tangible impact in advancing the SDGs.

Generation17 young leaders featured on the Samsung Global Goals app, so that users can engage with their work and feel inspired to join them in driving change.

Another significant collaboration within the partnership is Generation17, which places youth at the forefront of UNDP’s work. Through Generation17, UNDP and Samsung empower exceptional young leaders from diverse backgrounds worldwide, providing them with mentorship, access to Galaxy technology, and networking opportunities to advance their work and education towards the achieving the SDGs. Generation17 also fosters young leaders’ meaningful engagement by offering them a platform to share their insights with decision-makers, inspiring them with their innovative ideas and actions.

Generation17 young leaders, Daniel Calarco, Kristian Kampmann, and Thuy Anh Ngo, are seen in this photo, standing alongside other young leaders from around the world at the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2023, which took place in New York in April 2023.

Looking ahead, what are the future aspirations of the UNDP in terms of its partnership with Samsung to accelerate sustainable development? How do you envision this unique collaboration evolving in the coming years?

At this pivotal midpoint in our collective pursuit of achieving the 2030 Agenda and acknowledging the significant work that lies ahead, it is crucial that we continue to join forces and work together to drive action. The future is hopeful because more people than ever are working together for sustainable development, including through partnerships with UNDP. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with Samsung, prioritizing initiatives such as raising awareness about the SDGs, expanding our impact, and fostering meaningful youth engagement, education, and empowerment.

Samsung Electronics today announced that three new Young Leaders will join Generation17, an initiative in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support young changemakers working to achieve the 17 Global Goals.[1] The addition of these three Young Leaders will help educate people about critical global challenges and the solutions needed to deliver a more prosperous future by 2030.

“We are thrilled to welcome these three innovative leaders to the Galaxy community and Generation17,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “These Young Leaders will inspire the Galaxy community to make positive changes in their daily lives, with their dedication to harness technology and open possibilities for a more equitable future. Each embodies the ingenuity and innovative spirit that we need to engage more people in helping to achieve the Global Goals.”

The New Young Leaders

For the first time, Samsung and UNDP conducted an open call that rallied thousands of passionate young people from all over the world to apply to join Generation17. This new group of Generation17 Young Leaders, chosen from a competitive pool of candidates, will add new perspectives to the initiative, and their projects will bring forth new solutions in education, skills and training and health equity.

Zubair Junjunia (United Kingdom): Social entrepreneur and founder of ZNotes, a global learning platform enabling fair and equal access to education that has impacted four million students globally.

“I was inspired to build an education platform after witnessing the uneven playing field of education. We must empower youth to create an equitable education system, which is why I am excited to join Generation17 and bring awareness to global education challenges and inspire young people to stand up for causes they believe in.”

Priscilla Efe Johnson (Nigeria): Gender equality activist working to de-stigmatize women’s health through Xari Africa, a female-led organization providing girls with access to reproductive and sexual health resources.

“Reproductive and sexual health is everybody’s business. This fight, this passion, is personal. That is why I am thrilled to be selected as a member of Generation17, working in partnership with Samsung and UNDP to elevate my voice and expand access and education to women’s healthcare across the globe.”

Mock Yi Jun (Singapore): Education leader and co-founder of Advisory Singapore, a youth-led charity dedicated to empowering young people from all walks of life to make informed career and education choices.

“Every person, no matter their background or socio-economic status, deserves a chance to pursue their aspirations. Generation17 is the perfect platform to enable more young people like me to empower individuals to take their education and career journey into their own hands.”

Amplifying Youth Leadership on a Global Stage

Samsung and UNDP launched Generation17 in October 2020, with the mission to magnify the voices and impactful work of young people accelerating progress for the Global Goals. Since the launch, Samsung and UNDP have gathered 17 Young Leaders across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America working on issues that encompass all 17 of the Global Goals.

Together, Samsung and UNDP provide the Young Leaders with mentorship and the latest Samsung Galaxy technology as well as access to agenda-setting events and other opportunities to elevate their platforms and connect with their peers and cross-sector, global decision makers. Generation17 Young Leaders have participated in various events, including Samsung’s Unpacked, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, UN ECOSOC Youth Forum, Stockholm +50 and the United Nations General Assembly.

“To achieve the Global Goals, we need authentic action from young people – those on the frontlines of today’s most pressing issues – to build back progress and support for each goal,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. “Through our partnership with Samsung, we aim to foster the growth of these Young Leaders as they address critical issues such as the climate crisis and human rights concerns to build a more resilient society.”

▲ Three Generation17 Leaders at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity

Generation17 is grounded in Samsung and UNDP’s commitment to leverage technology as a force for good. The two organizations first partnered in 2019 to create the Samsung Global Goals app, an education and donation-based mobile app that informs people about the Global Goals and encourages them to take action just by using their Galaxy devices. Since then, the app has been installed on nearly 300 million Galaxy devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets and smartwatches. It has enabled the Galaxy community to generate more than $10 million USD for UNDP’s work to promote environmental and social resilience around the world.

About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. www.undp.org

About Generation17

Generation17 is an initiative from Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that elevates the voices of Young Leaders who are changing the world and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or ‘Global Goals.’ Samsung and UNDP are providing mentorship, technology and networking opportunities for the Young Leaders as they advance their work. https://www.undp.org/generation17

[1] The 17 Global Goals, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 and provide a blueprint to end poverty, protect the environment, reduce economic inequality and ensure peace and justice for all.

When I started my career at Samsung 25 years ago, I was a young engineer with a passion for technology and all it could do. Over the years, the capacity of mobile innovation has exceeded even my ambitious expectations. It has brought us conveniences and capabilities that make our lives better, but it has also given us the opportunity to be better. The ability to connect without proximity empowers us to break down barriers and work together to make progress. And with humanity facing some of its most complex challenges yet, we need to collaborate and innovate solutions more than ever before. That’s why I believe mobile technology has a vital role to play in helping us protect our planet.

Samsung has always challenged what’s possible with technology. And now, we are taking our next step towards putting sustainability at the centre of our innovations. From eco-conscious materials to global partnerships, we are exploring every opportunity to help power the world with mobile technology that serves as a tool for positive change.

Innovation with Impact

We’ve been on a journey for years at Samsung, marrying sustainability and innovation by using recycled materials in our smartphones, wearables and accessories. In addition to our on-going effort to use more eco-conscious materials including recycled PCM (post-consumer materials), the new Galaxy smartphones and tablets that were unveiled at our latest Unpacked used select components containing 20% recycled ocean-bound plastic[1] from discarded fishing nets[2].

We focused our innovation efforts on a pervasive and especially hazardous type of plastic waste that is harming marine life and our natural ecosystems – discarded fishing nets. Every year, 640,000 tons of fishing nets are abandoned in and around our oceans. With help from like-minded partners, we found a way to repurpose them into a new, high-performance material that can be incorporated into critical components of the Galaxy S22 series. From now on, more and more Galaxy devices will play a small part in reducing plastic waste in our oceans.

I know we still have a long way to go. And at Mobile World Congress 2022, we will share our next wave of innovations that incorporate recycled ocean-bound plastics.

Using Technology as a Force for Good

At Samsung, we believe in making mobile technology that has positive environmental impact and putting the power of our Galaxy ecosystem into the hands of passionate change makers.

I’ve seen this first-hand with our growing Generation17 initiative, which Samsung leads in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme. Generation17 empowers young activists to take on pressing issues like climate change, education, and more, so the world can make headway towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals, by 2030. And with the recent addition of six new Young Leaders, the program now spans countries in Africa, Asia & The Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America and the Middle East and supports work across all 17 Global Goals.

That’s how mobile innovation fuels transformation. It amplifies simple actions and individual voices and brings them together to amount to big, global change.

We Need Collective Action

I am in awe of the impactful ways people are helping to change the world with Galaxy, and I promise our work does not end here. Samsung will continue developing innovative technology that bridges barriers, connects communities and addresses the climate crisis.

Samsung is ready to do more. We will take real action, hold ourselves accountable and share our journey – from our successes to our challenges and lessons learned. We will act with our industry peers, with developers, with the Galaxy community, with everyone, to strengthen technology as a force for good.

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[1] Ocean-bound plastic is abandoned plastic waste of all sizes (micro-plastics, mezzo-plastics and macro-plastics) that are located within 50km of shores in communities or areas where waste management is inexistent or very inefficient.

[2] Discarded fishing nets are purchased through Samsung’s partner that works with local fishermen who collect them from the Indian Ocean and neighboring coastal areas. Samsung does not directly recover fishing nets from the ocean.