This year, Samsung’s offices and business sites worldwide led environmental efforts within and beyond the company — from supporting biodiversity and advancing water stewardship to providing emergency drinking water for vulnerable communities.

Explore Samsung’s efforts to conserve water and protect resources for the future in the infographics below.

Attended by Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer (CDO) at Samsung Electronics; Giusy Versace, Senator of the Italian Republic; Ollie Dudfield, Olympism365 Associate Director at IOC; and Domenico De Maio, Education & Culture Director of the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, the Exhibition provided a space in which selected Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Ambassadors could directly showcase their solutions on the biggest stage.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a global platform that empowers young innovators to address real-world challenges using skills in the fields of AI technology or STEM. By fostering creativity and critical thinking, the program encourages students to innovate and develop impactful solutions to local and global issues. Through hands-on projects, participants gain the skills and confidence to tackle complex problems, transforming their ideas into actionable solutions. This initiative not only nurtures the next generation of leaders but also strengthens the global community by connecting young minds across borders to share knowledge and inspire collective progress. After the work Samsung did for Solve for Tomorrow with the IOC in the lead up to Paris 2024, the program has been strengthened through the collaboration with the IOC by launching “Social Change Through Sport & Technology – Sport & Tech” as one of the global themes for Solve for Tomorrow competition 2025. 

Displayed as prototypes in their respective booths were AKQUA-Gel, an AI-based smart bandage solution that monitors wound healing in real time and supports early infection detection through sensor data developed by Arya Anilkumar, Anna Huang, Aishwarya Reddy, Subiksha Srinivasan Vidya, and Elaine Zuo; and Kroove, a Solve for Tomorrow Italy-winning community-based app developed by Davide Casciaro and Francesco Emmanuel Stringaro that promotes sporting activities.

A key principle of Solve for Tomorrow is design thinking, which involves innovators learning how to manifest their ideas as usable, tangible objects in the real world. As such, the Ambassadors also took part in a bespoke Innovation workshop led by the Olympism365 Innovation Hub, organized collaboratively by Samsung and the IOC — with the objective of preparing them for what is next in their innovation journeys.

“At Samsung, we believe that young people already have what it takes to build a better future,” said Mauro Porcini, CDO at Samsung Electronics. “Our role is to support that journey — to provide the space, the tools and the trust that allow their ideas to grow into something meaningful.”

“The solutions exhibited today were truly impressive and are a hallmark of improving communities through passion and ingenuity,” said Senator Giusy Versace. “With future leaders as innovative as the Solve for Tomorrow Ambassadors, it is clear that the world is in good hands.”

Solve for Tomorrow Ambassadors Exhibit Solutions

Each booth at the Exhibition allowed hands-on experience of a Solve for Tomorrow solution, with the students on hand to introduce the problem they identified, the solution they developed and how technology plays a role in bringing that solution to life. Guests were able to ask questions, engage with the students, and experience their ideas firsthand.

For example, at the Storm Shield experience, guests tried on the headband and a demonstrator approached them from two meters away. As they approached — indicating an obstacle — the headband vibrated, with vibrations varying depending on distance. At the MyVision Experience, guests were able to walk slowly with the cane, which recognized obstacles on the floor and vibrated to alert the user to danger.

Meanwhile, the AKQUA-Gel and Kroove booths provided in-depth, interactive explanations of the ways in which the prototype solutions provided smarter health solutions and brought communities together through sports, respectively.

At the exhibition, there were all ten solutions from the Solve for Tomorrow Ambassadors, as follows:

The Five Sport & Tech Ambassador Teams

Australia | Team Up: Ahan Khiani

An AI-based platform that connects individuals with local sports teams and communities to increase participation in recreational sports.

Indonesia | Run Sight: Anthony Feriyanto

A wearable AI solution that helps people with visual impairments safely participate in running and other physical activities by detecting lanes and obstacles.

Türkiye | Poseidon: Umut Devrim Deveci

A swimming safety system for visually impaired users that provides vibration alerts through a wristband when approaching boundaries or obstacles.

Great Britain | Curastep: Raye Woon

Smart sneakers equipped with sensors to detect early signs of blister formation in people with diabetes and encourage safe physical activity. 

United States | Storm Shield: Danielle Yang

A protective sports headband designed to shield hearing aids from moisture, impact and environmental damage during physical activity.

The Five Accessibility and Environment Ambassador Teams

China | Furen Makers: Chenyue Wang

A brainwave-controlled wheelchair designed to support people with ALS and physical disabilities in mobility, rehabilitation and sports participation.

France | Liova: Simon Cénet 

A reusable battery production kit that transforms discarded smartphone batteries into portable power banks to reduce electronic waste.

India | Paraspeak: Pranet Khetan

A cloud-based AI solution that converts unclear speech into clear pronunciation in real time for people with speech impairments. 

Türkiye | Oilsorb: irem Erden

A sustainable oil spill response solution using reusable wool-based oil absorption pads and drone technology to address marine pollution.

United States | AKQUA-Gel: Arya Anilkumar

An AI-powered smart bandage that monitors wound healing in real time and supports early infection detection through sensor data.

The Spirit of Excellence in the Pursuit of Unity

Through Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung supports the journey of expanding the potential of youth into social impact around the world. It is with this in mind that the company hosted the Solve for Tomorrow Exhibition while another global event celebrating excellence and togetherness, the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Each event represents a yearslong journey in the pursuit of excellence for the greater good, the transition of potential to real impact.

“It is energizing to witness the Solve for Tomorrow Ambassadors showcase their innovative solutions firsthand, particularly in the context of the Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026, which placed a strong emphasis on inspiring and educating young people across Italy to encourage participation, inclusion and lifelong engagement in sport,” said Ollie Dudfield, Olympism365 Associate Director at IOC. “The work of the Ambassadors reflects our shared belief — across the IOC, Samsung and Milano Cortina 2026 — in youth engagement and in the impact sport and technology can have as catalysts for positive social change.”

“These young Solve for Tomorrow Ambassadors have put in long, difficult, hours — all in the name of benefiting their communities,” said Domenico De Maio, Education & Culture Director at the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation. “Seeing the incredible results of all that work is awe-inspiring, and the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation is proud to have been associated with this Exhibition.”

Find out more about Samsung Solve for Tomorrow at https://csr.samsung.com/en/.

The announcement was made in Milan, where the ambassador program announcement is being held in conjunction with the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The three-day program runs from Feb. 8–10 and includes an appointment ceremony, a solution exhibition and networking activities.

Solve for Tomorrow is Samsung’s global problem-solving platform that supports young people in developing innovative STEM-based solutions to address local and global challenges. This year’s global ambassadors were selected from winning teams of Solve for Tomorrow regional competitions around the world, with the final selection being made through a joint evaluation by Samsung and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) based on the innovation, scalability and social impact of each solution. The 10 selected teams are divided into two focus areas — Sport & Tech, and Accessibility & Environment — with five teams chosen in each category.

As part of the Ambassador program, each selected team will receive funding, along with up to two years of continued support from Samsung to help transform their prototypes into commercially viable products. Five teams in the Sport & Tech category will be jointly supported by Samsung and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

During the ceremony, two Solve for Tomorrow alumni — Danielle Yang, a Samsung Solve For Tomorrow Ambassador in Sport & Tech, and Simon Cénet of Team Liova from France — shared personal stories and insights on youth innovation and the real-world impact of their projects.

Yang, who has a hearing disability herself, explained her motivation for participating in the program, stating, “I joined Samsung Solve for Tomorrow to address the challenges I experienced in my daily life.” She added, “With the support of Samsung Electronics and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), I am truly honored and delighted to have the opportunity to share my idea with the world, even on the Olympic stage.”

“Through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, I gained the confidence that my idea can create positive change in society,” said İrem Erden, an Ambassador from Türkiye who won a regional competition with OilSorb, a marine oil spill response solution that utilizes reusable wool-based oil absorption pads and drones. “As a selected ambassador, I will strive to inspire more generations.”

Sustainable Innovation in Sport & Tech

Held under the theme “Sport & Tech,” the aim of Samsung’s 2026 Ambassador program is to empower youth to drive sustainable innovation through the intersection of sports, technology and leadership. The official appointment ceremony took place at Samsung House in Milan and was attended by approximately 80 global stakeholders, including IOC President Kirsty Coventry; Jae Youl Kim, IOC Executive Board Member and President of Samsung Global Research; Olympism 365 Commission Chair Auvita Rapilla; Olympism 365 Commission Member Nawal El Moutawakel; Won-Jin Lee, President and Head of Global Marketing at Samsung Electronics; and Simon Sung, President and CEO Samsung Electronics Europe.

Commitment moment in the appointment ceremony underscored the shared commitment of Samsung and the IOC to jointly nurturing future talent and empowering young people to help shape a better world. This commitment was brought to life through a stage performance in which the composite logos of both organizations were brought together by unfolding and overlapping the Galaxy Z TriFold, completing the visual composition. The act of opening the Galaxy Z TriFold symbolically represented the expansion of ideas and potential, as well as the shared belief of Samsung and the IOC in opening new possibilities as young people step forward to lead the future.

“The projects are truly inspiring: full of creativity, imagination, and passion to make a real difference. You’re using technology to shape a future that is more inclusive, more sustainable, healthier and more active,” said IOC President Coventry. “I am especially excited to see the first-ever Sport & Tech winners — combining sport, technology, and problem-solving in ways that can truly change lives.”

“Through Solve for Tomorrow and our collaboration with the IOC, we are creating environments where young people can discover their strengths, express their ideas, and contribute meaningfully to society,” said Global Marketing Head Lee. “We are not only supporting innovation but also nurturing future leaders who will carry forward the values of excellence, respect, friendship — and creativity.”

Solution Exhibition and Innovation Workshop

On Feb. 9, the ambassador teams will showcase the solutions they developed at Smart City Lab in Milan and attend an innovation-themed workshop led by the IOC’s Olympism365 Innovation Hub that will equip the ambassadors with the skills to be an innovator of sustainable development in the world of sports. The exhibition will be attended by representatives from the IOC, the Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee and various Italian government agencies.

On Feb. 10, the ambassadors will take part in a series of on-site programs and official activities, as well as a visit to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Village. Through these experiences, Samsung is supporting the ambassadors in deepening their understanding of sports, technology and the meaning of the Olympic Games and the Olympic spirit.

Details regarding the 10 newly selected Solve for Tomorrow Ambassador teams and their projects are as follows: 

The Five Sport & Tech Ambassador Teams

Australia | TeamUp: Ahan Khiani

An AI-based platform that connects individuals with local sports teams and communities to increase participation in recreational sports.  

Indonesia | Run Sight: Anthony Edbert Feriyanto

A wearable AI solution that helps people with visual impairments safely participate in running and other physical activities by detecting lanes and obstacles.

Türkiye | Poseidon: Umut Devrim Deveci

A swimming safety system for visually impaired users that provides vibration alerts through a wristband when approaching boundaries or obstacles.  

Great Britain | Curastep: Raye Woon

 Smart sneakers equipped with sensors to detect early signs of blister formation in people with diabetes and encourage safe physical activity.   

United States | Storm Shield: Danielle Yang

A protective sports headband designed to shield hearing aids from moisture, impact and environmental damage during physical activity.

The Five Accessibility and Environment Ambassador Teams

China | Furen Makers: Chenyue Wang 

A brainwave-controlled wheelchair designed to support people with ALS and physical disabilities in mobility, rehabilitation and sports participation. 

France | Liova: Simon Cénet

A reusable battery production kit that transforms discarded smartphone batteries into portable power banks to reduce electronic waste.

India | Paraspeak: Pranet Khetan

A cloud-based AI solution that converts unclear speech into clear pronunciation in real time for people with speech impairments.  

Türkiye | Oilsorb: İrem Erden

A sustainable oil spill response solution using reusable wool-based oil absorption pads and drone technology to address marine pollution.

United States | AKQUA-Gel: Arya Anilkumar

An AI-powered smart bandage that monitors wound healing in real time and supports early infection detection through sensor data. 

Barrier-Free Mapmaking To Improve Local Mobility

From December 3 to 19, the Device eXperience (DX) Division will run its Barrier-Free Mapmaking volunteer program.

First launched in 2024 by the Device Solutions (DS) Division and expanded to the DX Division this year, the initiative sends employees into local communities to identify mobility challenges for people with disabilities, older adults and families using strollers. Accessibility features — including ramps, tactile paving and elevator access — will be added to mapping data, helping improve mobility in local communities.

Employees showed strong interest, with many signing up as soon as registration opened. “My grandmother uses a wheelchair, and our family has often struggled when going out to eat. I hope this initiative helps make everyday mobility a little easier for others in similar situations,” said Seongmi Lee from the Mobile eXperience (MX) Division. Yujin Kwak from the Korea Sales & Marketing Team added, “This project goes beyond mapmaking. It’s a valuable opportunity to improve the daily lives of people with limited mobility and help create an environment where everyone can move freely and equally.”

Advancing Accessibility Awareness Companywide

The DX Division carried out an accessibility awareness campaign and will distribute a new global accessibility guide to help employees integrate inclusive practices into their daily work. The resource outlines standards and procedures across HR functions — including recruitment, personnel management and workplace culture — and will serve as a key tool in fostering an accessibility-first organization.

Since 2023, the DX Division has also hosted a two-week Accessibility Festival Week (AFW) every May to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD).

In 2025, AFW expanded beyond Korea to include Europe — bringing together employees from development, design, marketing and sales. Participants shared firsthand user experiences and emphasized the importance of embedding inclusive design into technology from the earliest planning and UX stages. Samsung also distributed an AFW toolkit across the company to help teams worldwide plan and execute accessibility-focused initiatives for future GAAD events.

Building Disability Awareness Through Cultural Experiences

The Inclusion and Diversity Office within the DX Division has introduced a cultural experience-based disability awareness program supported by the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Moving beyond traditional lecture-style training, the initiative blends cultural activities with instruction to help employees deepen their empathy and understanding through musicals, classical concerts and theater productions featuring artists with disabilities. To date, 8,660 employees have participated, and the division continues to broaden involvement to strengthen the program’s impact.

“It inspired me to reflect on whether I had held any unconscious biases about people with disabilities,” said one employee who participated in the program. “It was the most moving training I’ve experienced since joining the company.” Other participants shared that experiencing live performances firsthand — rather than completing standard online training — offered an opportunity to reshape their perceptions of people with disabilities.

Steps Toward Better Mobility

The DS Division supports mobility and welfare programs for people with disabilities through its Love Walk campaign, turning employees’ steps into charitable donations.

Established in 1998 as Love Run, the initiative later shifted to Love Walk and has steadily expanded its impact.

From 2017 to 2021, donations supported mobility assistive devices for people with disabilities. Since 2022, the campaign has funded eco-conscious vehicles for community welfare centers to help improve mobility access.

Creating Meaningful Careers for People With Developmental Disabilities

Samsung operates Stellar Forest, a subsidiary standard workplace that supports people with developmental disabilities in developing their potential and building a sustainable foundation for independent living.

Following its launch in 2023, Stellar Forest has continued to identify job roles and industries suited to this community while expanding employment opportunities. In September 2025, it was certified as one of Korea’s top employers for job creation.

Currently, 420 employees work across two areas — the Bakery Division, which produces cookies, financiers and other baked goods, and the Pop-up & Package Division, which creates pop-up cards and books.

Employees in the DS Division run Stellar Forest Supporters, a volunteer group that supports cultural, sports and leisure activities for Stellar Forest employees. Each month, the group hosts badminton, yoga, choir, arts and crafts, gardening and cooking sessions — helping expand leisure and cultural opportunities for employees with developmental disabilities.

“Supporting the growth and independence of colleagues with developmental disabilities has been deeply moving and rewarding,” said a member of Stellar Forest Supporters.

In November, Young Hyun Jun, CEO, Vice Chairman and Head of the DS Division at Samsung Electronics, visited Stellar Forest to meet employees. He emphasized the importance of creating a workplace where everyone can work and grow freely, without bias or discrimination.

Driving Inclusion in AI and Employment

TM Roh, CEO, President and Head of the DX Division at Samsung Electronics, urged employees within the DX Division to build AI with openness and inclusion so everyone — with or without disabilities — can communicate freely and live independently in the AI era.

Last year, Samsung joined The Valuable 500, a global coalition of CEOs, underscoring its commitment to fostering a workplace where employees with disabilities can reach their full potential and to continually improving the accessibility of its products and services.

From barrier-free mapmaking to a wide range of accessibility initiatives, these efforts demonstrate Samsung’s commitment to innovation for all. Looking ahead, the company plans to embed accessibility and inclusion more deeply into its technologies and organizational culture — ensuring a safer, more convenient experience for everyone.

Learn more about Samsung’s accessibility efforts here.

Ahead of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, Samsung Newsroom highlights the impact of these programs and spotlights young women forging meaningful careers in technology.

India: From Beginner to Hackathon Winner

Growing up in Bangalore, Vaishnavi Kambar had no exposure to coding and never imagined joining a hackathon. After developing her skills at SIC and gaining experience as an intern, she went on to win HackToFuture 3.0. How does someone go from knowing little about programming to claiming victory so quickly? For Kambar, the answer wasn’t a single breakthrough but steady support and collaboration at SIC. There, she advanced her technical abilities and gained the confidence to perform at a high level.

Early in the program, Kambar worried her mentor might grow frustrated with her questions. Instead, she found patience and guidance. She credits this empathy as the foundation that encouraged her to keep learning and to speak up when in doubt.

For Kambar, SIC was a turning point. She learned to present ideas, work in teams and solve problems under pressure — experiences that reshaped how she sees herself. Now, she urges other young women interested in technology or innovation to approach the journey with courage and an open mind.

“Just take the plunge, even if you feel like you don’t belong. I started with no coding knowledge and a biology background,” said Kambar. “At times I felt like an outsider, but I kept going, one step at a time. Each time I pushed through the fear, I grew stronger.”

Armenia: From Learner to Leader

In Armenia, Hasmik Kettsyan discovered SIC as a place to grow. Although she already had coding experience, she often felt isolated in tech settings as the only girl in the room. At SIC, encouragement and trust created an environment where she could apply coding theory to real-world problems — a key step in finding purpose in her work.

“Different perspectives lead to better solutions, and the field gets stronger when more people are involved,” said Kettsyan, now a tech professional who encourages more young women to enter the field. “Find people who support you and keep pushing yourself. Your ideas matter more than you might realize.”

Inspired by her time at SIC, Kettsyan is now paying it forward. Soon after completing the program, she organized a technology summer camp for younger students in her community and began writing a book on innovation that she hopes to publish. For her, inspiring others has become one of the most rewarding parts of the SIC experience — and it continues to drive her to give back.

China: Learning Through Challenge

Ziyun Xu, a recent graduate of New York University Shanghai, is headed to Yale University to pursue her dream of protecting the environment. As a high school freshman in 2019, she wasn’t sure how to begin research. That changed when she joined Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, where she quickly learned the rigors of the process and advanced rapidly as a young scientist.

At one point, Xu revised her project seven times in just three days — each requiring a complete rethink of her approach — while also reviewing 280 sources to strengthen her paper. The experience laid the foundation for more advanced work that later took her research beyond the lab.

In Guangxi, Xu and her teammates worked in the countryside to design better-ventilated cattle sheds for local families, improve silage feed and use fermented cow dung to raise earthworms. Although farmers were initially skeptical, they grew to appreciate the team’s efforts. “The owner of the cattle farm sincerely thanked us for everything we had done,” she recalled.

Xu credits Solve for Tomorrow as the stepping stone to her dream, providing girls an outlet to explore science while serving their communities. She has since carried that spirit forward — mentoring younger students and presenting her findings at global conferences. “Every girl should believe that an idea from her youth might change some corner of the world,” she said.

Germany: Expanding Opportunities for Girls in STEM Around the World

For girls interested in STEM careers worldwide, Solve for Tomorrow and SIC have built a legacy of empowerment and community impact. As a global leader in youth education, Samsung also runs initiatives such as Girls’DAI. At the April 2025 event hosted by Samsung Electronics Germany, 36 girls toured the Samsung Space at the company’s headquarters in Eschborn — exploring three levels of AI technology, experiencing Galaxy AI firsthand and learning about responsible and creative uses of AI.

“Our Girls’DAI has shown how much potential lies in the next generation — bold questions, creative ideas and an open view of technology. Anyone who wants to shape AI needs these perspectives,” said Katharina Strohmeier, Project Manager of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics Germany. “Girls bring these perspectives, and that makes the future smarter, fairer and more diverse.”

Whether by supporting girls to become accomplished researchers or by offering hands-on exposure to the latest technology, Samsung is committed to opening educational opportunities for the next generation worldwide.

Learn more about Samsung’s CSR initiatives in the links below.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a global STEM competition that empowers students to develop creative, real-world solutions to community challenges while building skills, confidence and connections that prepare them to lead and inspire change.

Samsung Innovation Campus is a global education program that equips youth — including underrepresented groups — with advanced IT skills in areas like AI, big data and IoT, along with hands-on training and mentorship to pursue careers, startups and social impact in the digital era.

Initially launched in the U.S. as an essay competition in 2010, Solve for Tomorrow now operates in 68 countries — serving as a platform for youth around the world to collaborate on solutions for a better future.

Beginning in 2025, Solve for Tomorrow introduced global themes to the competition — starting with  Environmental Sustainability via Technology and Social Change Through Sports & Technology — further strengthening its role in addressing universal challenges through cross-border collaboration.

Samsung remains committed to increasing educational opportunities that build future-ready skills such as design thinking while addressing pressing community issues, including those related to the environment, sports and quality education. The company aims to expand support to turn students’ ideas into reality, empowering them to play an active role in shaping a brighter world.

Explore the 15-year journey of Samsung’s global CSR education program Solve for Tomorrow in the infographic below.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s strategies, initiatives and performance in environmental, social and governance — highlighting ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable growth amid rapidly evolving industry dynamics and geopolitical uncertainty.

[Environment]

Building on its New Environmental Strategy announced in September 2022, Samsung remains committed to reaching net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions, maximizing resource circularity and addressing complex environmental challenges through technological innovation. Notably, the company is expanding its use of renewable energy to meet rising demand and reduce carbon emissions against the backdrop of rapid growth in AI technologies and related industries.

In pursuit of its 2030 net zero target for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) Division recorded a renewable energy transition rate of 93.4% as of the end of 2024. By applying high-efficiency energy technologies across seven product categories, it reduced average power consumption by 31.5% compared to 2019. Additionally, the DX Division signed new solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) at its Gumi and Gwangju sites to diversify renewable energy sourcing.

As part of its goal to apply recycled materials to all plastic components by 2050, Samsung incorporated recycled content into 31% of the plastic parts used in its products as of 2024.

The company also operates a range of e-waste collection programs in approximately 80 countries, including Korea, to strengthen global recycling and recovery systems.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s Device Solutions (DS) Division aims to reach net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050 through continued investment in large-scale regenerative catalytic systems (RCS) for integrated process gas treatment and expanded use of renewable energy.

All global DS Division sites received the highest Platinum “Zero Waste-to-Landfill” certification from UL Solutions, a leading environmental and safety certifier. In addition, all Korean manufacturing sites earned top-tier certification from the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) for excellence in water resource management.

[Social and Governance]

Samsung is strengthening its health and safety management systems with the goal of achieving zero major industrial accidents and a top-tier global lost time injury rate (LTIR) by 2030, ensuring a safe, healthy workplace for all employees.

In 2024, the company conducted human rights risk assessments across Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and the Middle East to identify and address key concerns. Based on stakeholder input from international organizations, NGOs and academia, Samsung developed and implemented a human rights risk management plan.

Within the supply chain, Samsung expanded the scope of third-party audits to 33 second-tier suppliers. Beginning in 2025, the company will implement a more advanced, integrated Supplier Code of Conduct to respond proactively to evolving global regulations.

Through the Samsung Software‧AI Academy for Youth (SSAFY) — one of the company’s flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs — Samsung invested 37.5 billion won in 2024 to train approximately 2,200 young software professionals. This year, the program will introduce eight new AI training courses and upgrade infrastructure to support hands-on use of AI models. The Samsung Hope Stepping Stone program assisted 14,362 youth preparing to transition from protective care, opening new centers in North Chungcheong Province and Daejeon. Another center is scheduled to open in Incheon in 2025 to support more young people in need.

Furthermore, Samsung upholds privacy protection, information security, compliance and ethical management as core business priorities. A company-wide governance framework is in place to ensure effective oversight.

This year’s report aligns with global disclosure standards and is integrated with Samsung’s Sustainability website to improve accessibility.

The full 2025 Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report can be downloaded here.

From June 3 to 5, as a Worldwide Mobile and Computing Equipment Partner of Olympic & Paralympic, Samsung participated in the first Olympism365 Summit: Sport For A Better World at the IOC headquarters to showcase its Solve for Tomorrow vision of empowering youth through education and technology — highlighting stories from around the world that demonstrate how the program is helping young people tackle real-world challenges in their communities.

Over three days, the event brought together more than 250 representatives from 100 organizations — across the Olympic Movement, United Nations agencies, development and financing institutions, civil society, for-purpose business, safe sport community and IOC Young Leaders working together — to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sport.

▲ IOC President Thomas Bach delivers a keynote at the IOC Youth Summit.

Held as part of the Olympism365 Summit, the IOC Youth Summit provided a platform for IOC Young Leaders to contribute their perspectives, collaborate on innovative solutions and help shape the future of sport for development — offering a vital contribution to the Olympism365 strategy focused on building a better world through sport.

During the summit, Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia, the 2022 winner of the United Kingdom’s Solve for Tomorrow program, spoke about how the experience shaped her personal growth.

“What started off as a challenging lived experience of being isolated, vulnerable and stereotyped when using a white cane, quickly fueled the evolution of award-winning MyVision,” she said. “Thanks to the amazing Samsung Solve for Tomorrow mentors who helped me utilize the design thinking process and technical expertise to create a truly life-changing device.”

She shared her journey developing MyVision, a smart assistive device designed to help people with congenital visual impairments. Drawing from her own experience with visual impairment, Ramneek described how Solve for Tomorrow helped her to grow — and outlined her ongoing efforts to expand her dream realized through Solve for Tomorrow into broader educational and career opportunities for others with similar challenges.

▲ Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia shares her journey with IOC Young Leaders.

The event also provided opportunities to engage with IOC officials and other Young Leaders from around the world. Ramneek met with Sherief Kholeif, a United Kingdom-based IOC Young Leader, to discuss sports programs for marginalized youth in Scotland and exchanged ideas with participants on the social impact of combining sport and technology.

Building on its participation in the Olympism365 Summit and the IOC Youth Summit, Samsung plans to strengthen its collaboration with the IOC by designating “Social Change Through Sport & Technology” as one of the global themes for Solve for Tomorrow 2025. In doing so, the company will continue to support young people worldwide in developing creative, practical ideas to drive positive change in their communities.

“It was a pleasure to meet Ramneek, one of Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow ambassadors at the IOC Youth Summit,” said Kholeif. “Her innovative and thoughtful ideas are inspiring. It is encouraging to see Samsung paving the way for young students around the world who believe in creating a more accessible and inclusive future through innovation. I hope the Solve for Tomorrow program continues to create meaningful opportunities for my fellow Young Leaders, and that together we can make a difference by combining technology and sport.”

▲ (From left) Sherief Kholeif and Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia

Notably, the “Social Change Through Sport & Technology” theme was selected through a public vote held during the Olympic Games in Paris last year. The theme reflects growing global concerns around sustainability and sport, encouraging young people to develop innovative solutions that demonstrate the positive social and environmental impact of sport.

▲ Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia joins IOC Young Leaders for a group photo.

Samsung Electronics is bringing people together through sound. The company will showcase the capabilities of Auracast technology by partnering with hearing-aid provider GN on a groundbreaking event at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 16 to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). Attendees wearing Galaxy Buds3 Pro or GN hearing aids will utilize Auracast, which allows a single audio source to broadcast to multiple receivers simultaneously, and embark on a unique journey of shared listening.

What’s Happening

Auracast microphones and transmitters will broadcast audio directly into participants’ Galaxy Buds3 Pro or GN hearing aids, decreasing background noise to enhance clarity. A select group was given the opportunity to discover the potential of Auracast at a pilot event on May 1.

“The Auracast experience with the tour guide was amazing,” said one participant. “Ordinarily I wouldn’t be able to join in with the tour because I would be unable to hear properly, but today it was completely different. This technology allowed me to hear everything so clearly so I didn’t miss a word.”

▲ Attendees at the pilot event enjoying clearer audio with Auracast

Auracast and LE Audio

What is LE Audio? Introduced in 2022 by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, Low Energy (LE) Audio¹ is an updated standard for Bluetooth technology. It enables more power-efficient and higher-quality wireless transmission of audio from a broadcasting device to a receiver such as from a smartphone to earbuds.

Samsung has led efforts to increase LE Audio compatibility for mobile devices and hearing aids. Since 2022, the company has been pushing for the expansion of LE Audio, introducing 360 Audio Recording² and adopting Auracast through the Buds2 Pro software update.

What is Auracast? Auracast³ is a feature of LE Audio that allows broadcasting from a compatible audio source⁴ to multiple supported audio receivers,⁵ including earbuds⁶ and hearing aids. Think of it as turning your phone into a radio station.

Benefits of Auracast

• Shared Audio Experiences: As Auracast enables simultaneous audio streaming to multiple devices, listeners can enjoy a unified and enriched experience whether using ear buds or a compatible hearing aid. This represents a significant leap from traditional Bluetooth technology, which allows only one device to pair with an audio source.
• Seamless Audio Handoff: When moving from your smartphone to TV, or from public to private spaces, sound stays with you — as you don’t have to manually pair your device to each new audio source.
• Audio Clarity Anywhere: Auracast reduces background noise as audio is directly broadcast into your ears, providing a clearer sound experience. This is particularly beneficial in venues with loud echoes such as cathedrals and museums.
• Personalized Sound: Whether in a museum, a stadium, an airport or at home, Auracast allows you to tailor audio settings to your preferences. This customization ensures that users with varying hearing abilities can enjoy optimal clarity.

▲ Experience the benefits of Auracast with Galaxy Buds3 Pro

The Big Picture

Commitment to Accessibility: Samsung’s mission to redefine hearing accessibility has led to an unprecedented collaboration between mobile technology and hearing-aid innovation. With Auracast, Samsung bridges the gap between consumer audio and compatible hearing devices, crafting a seamless, intelligent and connected listening experience.

¹ Available on devices with Bluetooth 5.2 and above that support Auracast.
² 360 Audio Recording is available on Galaxy Buds paired with a Galaxy smartphone running One UI 5.0 or above with LE Audio support, including the Galaxy S25 series, Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 and upcoming Galaxy smartphones. Requires installation of the latest software versions of the Galaxy smartphone and Galaxy Buds devices. To activate the feature, go to the Samsung Camera app > select Video mode and then tap Camera settings > tap Advanced video options > turn on 360 Audio Recording.
³ The quality of the Auracast audio stream may vary depending on the application, network connection and other factors.
⁴ Auracast Transmitter supported devices : Samsung Galaxy smartphones, tablets with Samsung One UI version 6.1 or later, and select TV models. Supported Galaxy smartphone and tablet models include: S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE, S23 (except FE edition), S23+, S23 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip6, Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy Z Fold5, A56, Tab S10+, Tab S10 Ultra, Tab S9+, Tab S9, Tab S9 Ultra. Supported TV models include: 2025 Neo QLED 8K QN990F, QN950F, QN900F, 2024 NeoQLED 8K QND800, QND850, QND900, 2024 MICRO LED models, 2023 Neo QLED 8K QNC 800, QNC900 and 2023 MICRO LED models.
⁵ Auracast Assistant supported devices : Samsung Galaxy smartphones, tablets with Samsung One UI version 6.1 or later. Supported Galaxy smartphone and tablet models include: S25, S25+, S25 Ultra, S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, S24 FE, S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S23FE, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, Z Fold4, Z Flip4, A56, A55, A54, A36, XCover7 Pro, Tab S10+, Tab S10 Ultra, Tab Active5 Pro, TabS10 FE, Tab S10 FE+, Tab S9, Tab S9+, Tab S9 Ultra, Tab S9 FE
⁶ Auracast Receiver supported devices : Galaxy Buds3, Buds3 Pro, Buds2 Pro

Organized in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), this year’s AFW is the result of close collaboration between the CDO at Samsung Electronics Corporation (SEC), Samsung Electronics Europe Office (EO), Samsung Design Europe (SDE), Samsung R&D Institute UK (SRUK) and SEUK — all of which make up the AFW task force.

First held at Samsung Seoul R&D Campus in 2023, AFW serves as a platform to reinforce and expand the company’s commitment to accessibility among employees. Samsung Newsroom visited this year’s edition in Europe to witness how that vision is being brought to life.

Day 1: Learning From Europe’s Accessibility Practices

AFW opened on May 13 with an Inspiration Tour, bringing together accessibility leaders from SEC and members of the AFW task force to explore exemplary accessibility practices across Europe and inspire future initiatives.

Participants visited Samsung KX in King’s Cross, London — recognized as a model for inclusive retail — where they examined products through the lens of accessibility and observed how inclusive design shapes the in-store customer experience.

▲ Inspiration Tour at Samsung KX in King’s Cross, London

▲ Visiting Google’s Accessibility Discovery Center, London

In the afternoon, the group visited the Accessibility Discovery Center at Google King’s Cross to engage with real-world solutions designed to better support people with a wide range of disabilities.

“The Inspiration Tour broadened my perspective on accessibility,” said Youngkyung Jung from the User Experience (UX) Strategy Group, CDO. “So many breakthroughs in accessibility come from collaboration between companies, and today’s program showed how powerful inclusive partnerships can be.”

Day 2: Driving Innovation Through a Cross-Functional Accessibility Symposium

Samsung held an accessibility symposium at the SEUK office on the morning of May 14, welcoming employees from CDO, EO, SDE, SRUK and SEUK. Colleagues from various departments including People, Workplace Solutions and Employee Resource Groups — along with planning, design, development and marketing teams — shared their experiences and strategies for embedding accessibility into their work.

Discussions covered current accessibility trends, accessibility in UX strategy including UX evaluation framework, practical R&D insights and more. Team members openly exchanged lived-in experience and ideas with one another, finding common ground to build stronger connections across regions and functions.

▲ Employees networking and engaging in discussions at the Symposium

“Accessibility features originally designed for users with disabilities often become essential tools that benefit everyone,” said Ray Jessel from EO Marketing. “It was especially helpful for my work to hear the unique experiences of different departments.”

Day 3: Building a Shared Accessibility Vision for Inclusive Innovation

To mark GAAD on May 15, Samsung is hosting a special session at the SEUK office to share its accessibility strategy and future vision for inclusive innovation with employees across Europe.

The event will begin with an opening speech from Simon Sung, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Europe, who will emphasize accessibility as a core value in advancing Samsung’s global vision and encourage teams across the region to champion accessibility innovation with a unified voice.

EVP Jinsoo Kim, Head of CDO Design Strategy Team and Accessibility Committee at SEC, will join the session in person to meet with employees, highlight the company’s accessibility principles and speak on the significance of AFW as the company looks toward a more inclusive future.

Accessibility leaders from various business divisions at SEC will then introduce product-specific strategies and key features prioritized for the year. Through these presentations, employees are expected to gain a clearer understanding of Samsung’s accessibility roadmap and align on a shared vision for customer-first, inclusive innovation. The keynote will be livestreamed to teams across Europe.

▲ Day 3 Keynote Speech Schedule

In the afternoon, a hands-on workshop will be held with experts from the external community group Studio Exception¹ — a design and innovation consultancy focused on inclusive design. Registered employees will have the opportunity to explore inclusive design thinking and reflect on how to apply it to their day-to-day work.

“AFW has been an inspiring and meaningful experience for us in Europe. Accessibility is no longer optional — it’s a strategic imperative that defines future competitiveness,” said Alice Jackson from the SEUK People Team. “It was especially impactful to have people from SEC visit Europe and deliver such a clear, unified message. This event has created a powerful sense of shared purpose, understanding and empathy — values we are passionate about in our efforts to support our colleagues and future talent at Samsung.”

▲ Employees exploring the AFW exhibition displayed in the Atrium

As the three-day AFW draws to a close, momentum and optimism continue to grow among employees. Samsung hopes AFW will help foster a lasting culture of inclusive innovation — one that goes beyond convenience to deliver better experiences for all.

¹Studio Exception is an inclusive design and research agency that aims to create better products and services by focusing on the experiences of diverse individuals, especially those who are often excluded from mainstream design

Sustainability and Social Change Explored by Youth Around the World

Launched in the United States in 2010, Solve for Tomorrow is a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education competition that has reached more than 2.9 million students across 68 countries over the past 15 years. The program encourages students to propose creative solutions to social issues in their local communities, helping them build essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Starting in 2025 with the introduction of global themes, Solve for Tomorrow will go one step further to evolve into a platform for youth to collaborate and address universal problems that transcend local boundaries.

This year’s global themes are “Environmental Sustainability via Technology” and “Social Change Through Sport & Technology with International Olympic Committee.”

“Environmental issues are among the most difficult challenges facing humanity today,” said Soojin Kim, Head of the Corporate Sustainability Center at Samsung Electronics. “We are pleased to join youth around the world on this journey to overcome these issues with technology.”

▲ A poster celebrating the 15th anniversary of Solve for Tomorrow and introducing the global themes

Global Themes Selected Through ‘Together for Tomorrow’ Olympic Partnership

As the Worldwide smartphone Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games last year, IOC and Samsung partnered to launch ‘Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People’ — a digital community created to complement Solve for Tomorrow. The platform aims to engage young people from across the globe with the Olympic Movement and harness the transformative power of technology and sport to drive meaningful change.

During the Olympic Games Paris 2024, 10 students from the winning teams of the previous year’s Solve for Tomorrow program served as ambassadors for “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People.”

The theme “Social Change Through Sport & Technology” was voted on by the public in the Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People community. Samsung and IOC plan to appoint individuals who exemplify this theme as global ambassadors and collaborate with them to develop solutions.

“We are delighted to work with our Worldwide Olympic Partner Samsung on the creation of this new sport-driven theme,” said Ollie Dudfield, Associate Director of Olympism 365 at IOC. “It’s an exciting step forward in line with the ambitions of IOC’s Olympism 365 strategy — empowering young people around the world to think boldly about how sport and technology can drive positive change.’’

Leveraging Samsung’s Expertise To Strengthen Support for Participants

Samsung is leveraging its unique resources and expertise to strengthen Solve for Tomorrow. By integrating the Samsung Design Thinking methodology into the program, the company hopes to encourage the development of practical, user-centered solutions. Samsung also plans to expand employee mentoring to help participants further refine their ideas with guidance from experts with real-world experience.

IOC Young Leaders Programme will also have a role to play in helping students understand how sport and technology can mix to generate innovative solutions to social challenges. “Through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, I’ve learned that even a small idea can spark big change,” said Solve for Tomorrow US ambassador Ngan Huu Kim Le.

“Working alongside friends from around the world motivates me to keep seeking creative solutions for a better future.”

Solve for Tomorrow 2025 recently kicked off in Vietnam and India, and will soon be launched in Indonesia, Türkiye, Singapore and other countries. Spanning months from the qualifiers to the finals, the program will award winning teams, depending on the country, with project incubation funding and support for establishing STEM labs.

“Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has been Samsung’s flagship corporate citizenship initiative for the past 15 years,” said Eddie Cho, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Citizenship Office at Samsung Electronics. “We look forward to strengthening the role of the global platform to nurture even more young people into the leaders of tomorrow.”

▲ The 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow U.S. Pitch & Reveal Event took place in Samsung DC on April 28. (From left) U.S. National Winner Charter School of Wilmington from Delaware with Yoonie Joung, President of Samsung Electronics North America; Solve for Tomorrow U.S. ambassador Ngan Huu Kim Le

▲ The India Opening Ceremony took place in IIT Delhi on April 29. (From left) Shubham Mukherjee, Head of CSR & Corp Communication, Samsung SWA; Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & IT; JB Park, President & CEO, Samsung SWA; Shombi Sharp, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India; Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi; Dr. Sapna Poti, Senior Director, Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government

▲ The opening ceremony of Solve for Tomorrow 2025 Vietnam was held in Hanoi on March 28

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.

Global Participation by Samsung Electronics Employees in Water Conservation Efforts

Each year, Samsung Electronics collaborates with employees and local communities on a variety of initiatives, including stream clean-ups near its facilities and water-saving campaigns across its operations. This year, the company aligned these activities with its environmental strategies, including water replenishment projects. These efforts included upgrading reservoirs and pumping facilities in drought-affected regions near its worksites, as well as supporting clean drinking water initiatives for neighboring villages.

▲ Employees at Samsung Electronics Vietnam participated in a cleanup at Cau River

To raise awareness about the importance of clean water, Samsung Electronics employees around the world participated in a variety of initiatives. Here are some highlights of their efforts, captured in photos.

① River Cleanup Activities With Employees, Local Governments, NGOs and Community Members

* Regions of participation: Korea, Vietnam, U.S, Mexico, Brazil, Hungary, Indonesia, South Africa

▲ Employees at Samsung Electronics Home Appliances America took part in cleanup activities along nearby rivers and streams.

▲ At the Cheonan and Onyang worksites in Korea, employees visited streams such as Jangjaecheon, Cheonancheon and Gokgyocheon as part of the One Company, One Stream initiative, contributing to local ecological preservation efforts. In addition, the Hwaseong worksite in Korea is planning stream cleanup activities along Woncheonricheon stream in collaboration with local civic groups and residents, in celebration of World Water Day.

② Returning Clean Water – Water Replenishment Projects

* Regions of participation: Samsung Electronics is currently implementing water replenishment projects in Korea, Vietnam, India, Mexico, the United States and Indonesia. The company also plans to launch water replenishment projects in Malaysia, Brazil, China, Thailand, Hungary, Türkiye, Slovakia, Poland and Egypt, starting this year.

▲ Samsung Electronics Malaysia held an opening ceremony to launch its water replenishment project.

③ ‘Join Us in Saving Water!’ – Water Conservation Campaign

* Regions of participation: Korea, Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand

▲ Samsung Electronics Thailand aired a water-saving campaign video in the company cafeteria.

④ Protecting Aquatic Ecosystems Near Worksites

* Regions of participation: Korea and Vietnam

▲ As part of efforts to protect aquatic ecosystems, employees at Samsung Electronics Vietnam monitored water quality in nearby streams and carried out environmental awareness surveys in collaboration with local government offices, residents and NGOs.

Partnering With Stakeholders To Drive Water Conservation and Reduce Usage

Samsung Electronics recognizes water as a vital resource for a sustainable future and is committed to reducing water intake and promoting water reuse across its operations.

The DX Division has set a goal of achieving 100% water replenishment by 2030, returning to local communities an amount of water equivalent to what is used in its production processes, thereby helping to prevent the depletion of water resources. To achieve this, Samsung is actively implementing water replenishment projects across multiple regions worldwide.

In 2023, Samsung Electronics partnered with the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC) to support the construction of water redistribution facilities, enabling the reuse of agricultural water by channeling it from downstream to upstream areas in farmland regions. In collaboration with the Korea Ecological & Environmental Institute (KEEI), Samsung also carried out reservoir dredging in the Haman region in Korea to expand aquatic ecosystems and secure agricultural water supplies, contributing to water reuse and mitigating the risks of drought and water scarcity.

* Regions where agricultural water reuse facilities have been established (Five locations in Korea): Wando, Shinan, Pyeongtaek, Andong, Changnyeong

▲ Samsung Electronics, in collaboration with the KRC Andong held a completion ceremony in July 2024 to mark the construction of an agricultural water redistribution facility in Andong, Korea. In April 2024, Samsung Electronics Vietnam signed an agreement with the local People’s Committee to support water replenishment projects.

Building on these efforts, Samsung implemented 23 water replenishment projects across six countries in 2024, returning a total of 1.35 million tonnes of water annually to local communities and achieving 100% water replenishment by Korean facilities’ water usage standards. The company is committed to expanding this achievement globally by 2030, helping to mitigate local water risks and advance water resource conservation across all its international operations.

Meanwhile, the DS Division is promoting various initiatives to protect water resources through partnerships with public, private and governmental organizations.

In March 2024, Samsung signed a public-private-governmental memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Environment, K-water and other stakeholders to advance water-related initiatives. This collaboration was further strengthened in November 2024 through an additional MOU for the Jangheung Dam Artificial Wetland Creation Project, jointly developed with the Ministry of Environment and K-water. This marks the first project in Korea jointly led by public, private and governmental partners. The project aims to enhance riparian ecological belts and artificial wetlands through forest restoration, planting and waterway rehabilitation. In addition, it will create cultural and recreational spaces, including an ecological art museum and walking trails, contributing to the well-being of local communities.

The DS Division has also set a target to keep water intake to 2021 levels by 2030. To that end, Samsung signed another MOU in December 2024 with the Ministry of Environment, Gyeonggi Province, the cities of Hwaseong and Osan, K-water and the Korea Environment Corporation for the Gyeonggido Region Semiconductor Site Reclaimed Water Project (Phase 1). This project will recycle treated wastewater from Hwaseong and Osan to supply 120,000 tonnes of reclaimed water per day to Samsung’s Giheung and Hwaseong semiconductor facilities. The project will proceed with feasibility studies for private investment, basic and detailed phases, and then installation and operation of reuse facilities, with water supply to the DS Division’s Giheung and Hwaseong worksites scheduled to begin in 2029.

Expanding Platinum Certifications From the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)

In March 2023, Samsung Electronics’ Hwaseong worksite became the first facility in Korea to achieve the Platinum certification, the highest level from the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS).* Since then, Samsung has continued to expand the number of AWS-certified worksites across its global operations. AWS is a global water stewardship initiative jointly established by international organizations to assess companies’ comprehensive water management systems.

* The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) is a global water management initiative jointly established by organizations such as the UN Global Compact (UNGC) and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). AWS evaluates a company’s water stewardship performance across 100 criteria, including ▲ sustainable water management, ▲ pollution control, ▲ water sanitation, ▲impact on aquatic ecosystems within the watershed, and ▲ governance. Based on these assessments, certifications are awarded at three levels, including ‘Platinum,’ ‘Gold,’ and ‘Core.’

The DS Division has achieved Platinum certification for its Giheung/Hwaseong and Pyeongtaek worksites in Korea, followed by its Xi’an worksite in China and most recently its Cheonan/Onyang worksites in Korea in November 2024. The DX Division has also expanded its certifications, securing Platinum certifications for its Suwon, Gumi and Gwangju worksites in 2023, as well as for its Vietnam worksites in 2024. Samsung Electronics also plans to extend AWS certifications to its India operations by 2025.

Water is a vital resource, and ensuring the availability of clean and safe water for future generations is a critical responsibility. Samsung Electronics is fully committed to this mission and will continue to promote water stewardship and the importance of sustainable water management among its employees. The company will also actively collaborate with stakeholders to advance water-related initiatives and take a leading role in the conservation of global water resources.

At CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Samsung brought to life its vision of a future where smart technology expands beyond the home — reshaping industries and enriching daily experiences. Through SmartThings Pro, SmartThings for Cars and SmartThings for Ships, the company highlighted the transformative potential of AI across diverse domains.

Samsung Newsroom took an inside look at the company’s latest AI solutions powering business, mobility and beyond.

▲ The exhibition space showcased smart technologies extending beyond the home.

SmartThings Pro: Reimagining Smart Spaces With AI

▲ The SmartThings Pro zone

The SmartThings Pro zone showcased Samsung’s AI B2B solutions designed to enhance various settings including hotels, offices, and residential and commercial buildings. Highlights included AI-powered solutions that optimize spaces for operational efficiency and personalized services for community residents.

AI Residence: Advancing Future-Ready Solutions for Community Spaces

▲ The AI Residence section

The AI Residence section introduced AI-based solutions designed to enhance community and residential space management. Visitors experienced firsthand the company’s selection of integrated systems that monitor residents’ health, manage energy use and provide real-time safety updates. Interactive demonstrations also highlighted how smart technologies are improving the management of both public and private spaces.

AI Store: Transforming Retail With Smarter Solutions

▲ The AI Store section

The AI Store section presented the company’s latest retail technologies designed to transform multi-store operations. Through Samsung’s Visual eXperience Transformation (VXT) platform and Samsung Knox, visitors explored how retail workflows are streamlined through features like real-time inventory management and automated product price updates.

AI Office: Balancing Productivity and Sustainability

▲ The AI Office section

The AI Office section showcased the future of workplaces powered by smart technologies to maximize productivity and efficiency. Visitors had the opportunity to try out face recognition solutions for employee identification and SmartThings-connected devices that automatically adjust meeting room environments.

AI Stay: Providing Customized Accommodation Spaces

▲ The AI Stay section

The AI Stay section displayed smart hotel solutions of the future. Features included smartphone-based check-ins, personalized settings and Good Night mode — creating a comfortable, home-like environment even while traveling.

SmartThings for Cars: Bridging Home and Car With Smart Connectivity

▲ The SmartThings for Cars zone

At the SmartThings for Cars zone, visitors were introduced to new possibilities in mobility — featuring technologies that connect vehicles and homes through the SmartThings app. Solutions like energy optimization, efficient EV charging and remote vehicle controls optimize convenience and bring homes and cars closer together.

SmartThings Energy: Promoting a New Era of Sustainable Energy Solutions

▲ The SmartThings Energy section

The SmartThings Energy section presented sustainable living technologies including solar panel integration, EV-based emergency power supplies and 3D Map View for real-time energy monitoring. Visitors learned how solar panels and electric vehicles can work together to generate self-sufficient energy, with EV batteries serving as backup power during outages. They also saw firsthand how 3D Map View offers a comprehensive overview of home energy consumption and explored AI-powered energy-saving modes that optimize backup battery usage.

▲ Erick “Alexander” Vargas engages with the interactive displays in the SmartThings for Cars zone.

“As someone active on social media, I want to spread the word that Samsung SmartThings offers practical solutions for energy savings and connectivity,” said Erick “Alexander” Vargas, an attendee from Mexico. “I’m excited to share with my followers how Samsung is leading the way with its AI technologies.”

SmartThings Find: Offering Easy Location Tracking for Parked Cars

▲ SmartThings Find assists users in locating their parked cars, even in busy parking lots.

SmartThings Find stood out for its highly practical application and everyday convenience, enabling users to effortlessly locate their vehicles in sprawling parking lots with their Galaxy devices. Other highlights from this part of the exhibit included SmartThings-enabled features such as remote vehicle control, which can adjust the climate, as well as lock and unlock doors.

SmartThings for Ships: Harnessing Smart Technology at Sea

▲ The SmartThings for Ships zone

The SmartThings for Ships zone demonstrated how smart technology is revolutionizing marine vessels, introducing forward-thinking technologies such as autonomous navigation systems like SHIFT-AUTO and integrated smart solutions that maximize operational efficiency and safety in maritime settings.

▲ (From top to bottom) Visitors could virtually pilot a smart ship at an interactive experience space in the SmartThings for Ships zone; Reshmee Semmen took on the role of captain, navigating the smart ship simulation.

Visitors to Samsung’s booth had the chance to explore these advancements through an immersive simulation. This hands-on experience included monitoring vessel systems, setting voyage routes and controlling onboard systems.

“The Smart Ship interactive simulation was incredibly impressive,” said Reshmee Semmen, an attendee from South Africa who expressed enthusiasm for Samsung’s promising potential in AI. “I’m excited to see how Samsung, with its long history, will continue to expand AI into so many fields.”

▲ The SmartThings for Ships zone space explained how SmartThings can make ships safer and more efficient.

Smart technology is also making journeys at sea safer and more convenient for ship passengers. At the booth, visitors observed SmartThings-enabled technologies for managing essential ship and vessel systems including pre-departure device checks and five scenario-based modes (Departure, Boarding, Notifications, Care Mode, Protection Mode).

Society: Creating a Better World for Generations to Come

▲ The Society zone

Located on the other side of Samsung’s booth, the Society zone emphasized the “social” pillar of the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. This area spotlighted technologies designed to enhance accessibility, along with global education programs like Solve for Tomorrow and Samsung Innovation Campus.

▲ The Accessibility section

Samsung introduced a range of solutions that enhance accessibility for all users. Visitors got the chance to experience how AI and Bixby are breaking down barriers in everyday life, enabling effortless control of home appliances and device troubleshooting through voice command capabilities.

Other highlights included AI-based text-to-speech audio subtitles — a feature that converts on-screen subtitles into speech, providing visually impaired users with access to global content — and sync accessibility settings capabilities to ensure a smooth user experience by automatically applying existing accessibility settings to new devices.

▲ Visual displays highlighted Samsung’s global education programs and social contribution activities.

▲ An interactive touch screen highlighted the collaboration between Samsung and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Visitors were encouraged to explore the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals) fostering awareness and action on key objectives such as poverty eradication and health promotion.

At CES 2025, Samsung showcased the versatility of AI technology beyond the home, illustrating its potential to transform diverse industries and spaces. By expanding the intersection of technology and daily life, Samsung aims to take significant strides toward a sustainable future — one that transcends the boundaries of the smart home to encompass every facet of modern life and industries.

Now in its second year, Samsung Nanum Weeks has grown significantly with 110,000 people from 23 Korean affiliates participating and various regional offices taking part. Employees worldwide actively engaged in volunteer efforts centered around youth education, blood donation, charitable contributions and community service.

Samsung Newsroom captured how employees around the world came together not only during Samsung Nanum Weeks but throughout the year with a shared commitment to make a meaningful impact on their communities.

• Brazil: Empowering Local Youth Through Art and Games
• Indonesia: Hosting a Blood Donation Campaign With Employees
• South Africa: Organizing an E-Waste Collection and Recycling Campaign
• Türkiye: Building Connections Between Employees and Future Leaders
• Vietnam: Extending a Helping Hand to Children in Need
• United Kingdom: Supporting Young People and Local Organizations
• United States: Coming Together on Samsung Day of Service

Brazil: Empowering Local Youth Through Art and Games

To support underprivileged communities in the Campinas Region, employees from Samsung R&D Institute Brazil visited a local children’s center that offers free educational programs. Volunteers painted the front wall, created art in the cafeteria and organized interactive educational games for the children.

▲ Employees volunteer at a local children’s center in Brazil’s Campinas Region.

“I’m very happy to be here today and have the opportunity to make a positive impact on these children’s lives,” said Gabriel Veschi, Clinical Research Project Manager at Samsung R&D Institute Brazil. “I am grateful to be part of Samsung, where we have opportunities to step outside our usual environments and be part of the local community — something I believe everyone should experience.”

Indonesia: Hosting a Blood Donation Campaign With Employees

Together with the Red Cross, Samsung Electronics Indonesia organized a blood donation campaign called “Give Blood & Keep the World Beating.” This initiative was launched to address the local blood shortage with nearly 200 employees stepping forward to donate.

▲ Employees donate blood during the “Give Blood and Keep the World Beating” campaign in Indonesia.

“Donating blood is one of the most impactful activities in helping save lives,” said Fakhruzi Fakhruzi, a Samsung Electronics Indonesia employee who has participated in the annual blood drive for 26 years since joining the company in 1998. “We are proud to bring employees together to offer help to those in need.”

▲ Samsung Indonesia employees pose for a photo after donating blood.

South Africa: Organizing an E-Waste Collection and Recycling Campaign

In South Africa, Samsung employees participated in an e-waste collection and recycling campaign during Samsung Nanum Weeks — with the goal of gathering discarded electronics from local communities and promoting resource circulation.

Employees collected unused or end-of-life consumer electronics donated by residents, ensuring their safe transport from accredited service centers to certified recycling partners. At Samsung warehouses, employees collected scrap electronics for recycling and installed e-waste collection boxes in accessible locations throughout the office. The collected e-waste will be disassembled and recycled into raw materials for manufacturing.

▲ Employees recover discarded electronics for recycling in South Africa.

“The proper disposal of e-waste is crucial for environmental preservation and the sustainable development of local communities,” said Nicky Beukes, a Samsung South Africa employee. “We will continue to promote activities that protect the local environment and encourage recycling.”

▲ Employees set up collection boxes for unused or unwanted electronics throughout the Samsung office in South Africa.

Türkiye: Building Connections Between Employees and Future Leaders

In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, Samsung Electronics Türkiye hosted a Mentoring Day to empower talented young students as part of Samsung Innovation Campus. Samsung employees offered professional insights, career guidance and an in-depth look into Samsung’s history and culture.

▲ Samsung Electronics Türkiye employees pose for a photo on Mentoring Day.

“Mentoring these future leaders was incredibly fulfilling,” said Meral Çizmeci, a Samsung Electronics Türkiye employee. “We will continue to support and inspire the next generation.”

Vietnam: Extending a Helping Hand to Children in Need

At Samsung Electronics Vietnam Complex, employees came together for a fundraising campaign to support underprivileged children through the Nanum Kiosk — Samsung’s fundraising platform that allows employees to donate money by tagging their employee ID at designated kiosks.

▲ Employees make donations through the Nanum Kiosk at the Samsung Electronics Vietnam Complex.

“I’m grateful to give back to those in need in such an accessible way,” said Nguyen Truong Xa, a Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen employee who has made over 200 donations each year through the Nanum Kiosk to become the top contributor. “I look forward to participating in more sharing activities in the future.”

Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen also organized a walkathon on November 4 to raise funds for children with heart disease in the Thai Nguyen Province. Around 600 employees and local officials took part in the event, raising about 340 million Vietnamese dong ($13,423) to support the cause.

Samsung employees shared their volunteer activities on social media, encouraging colleagues and the wider community to get involved and promote a culture of giving. By matching each shared post with a donation of $1, Samsung Electronics Vietnam Complex donated approximately 200 million Vietnamese dong ($7,896) to support childhood cancer treatment.

Following these events, Samsung CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Day was held on November 8 to highlight social contribution initiatives across Vietnam and express gratitude to stakeholders for their support. Now in its second year, Samsung CSR Day featured an exhibition of Samsung Electronics Vietnam’s key CSR initiatives alongside an award ceremony recognizing individuals and organizations who have actively contributed to Vietnamese society.

United Kingdom: Supporting Young People and Local Organizations

Employees from Samsung Electronics U.K. volunteered to paint a community center near the SEUK office that provides essential support to vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community.

In addition, Samsung Electronics U.K. employees served as Solve for Tomorrow mentors and joined the Design Thinking Workshop held at Samsung King’s Cross as part of the Solve for Tomorrow 2024/25 competition launch in October. Mentors from different business areas volunteered their time to help young people and students develop and discuss their innovative “tech-for-good” ideas.

▲ Mentors speak with young people during Solve for Tomorrow’s Design Thinking Workshop in the U.K.

“Volunteering to help at Solve for Tomorrow was a truly rewarding experience,” said Daisy Faulkner, a mentor at Solve for Tomorrow’s Design Thinking Workshop. “I return to my work inspired by the students’ ambition, creativity and overall passion for technology.”

Samsung Electronics U.K. also organized a “Back to School Career Talk” to provide career guidance to students from nearby schools. Mentors shared their own career journeys and discussed their roles at Samsung, giving students insight into essential skills and different career paths.

United States: Coming Together on Samsung Day of Service

In October, Samsung Electronics America organized the 14th annual Samsung Day of Service — a hands-on volunteer initiative involving employees from Samsung Electronics America and Samsung Research America. Partnering with over 50 NGOs and schools, Samsung Day of Service focused on key areas like STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, accessibility, sustainability and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion). Employees took part in more than 2,000 volunteer activities including showcasing technology careers at workshops, tutoring at elementary schools, preparing meals for those in need, participating in environmental cleanups and building an accessible nature trail.

▲ Employees construct a nature trail using sustainable materials at Flat Rock Brook in Englewood, New Jersey.

“The Samsung Day of Service was a meaningful opportunity for us to connect with the communities in which we live and work,” said Joy Lee, a Samsung Electronics America employee who volunteered at Oasis — A Haven for Women and Children in Paterson, New Jersey. “We hope our efforts will greatly benefit our neighbors.”

▲ Samsung employees serve up meals at Oasis — A Haven for Women and Children, in Paterson, New Jersey.

Samsung’s corporate citizenship activities will continue to bring warmth and support to communities moving forward. Guided by its CSR vision of “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People,” Samsung is committed to empowering young people through education and collaborative efforts — further strengthening the company’s bond with local communities and embodying a spirit of generosity through a variety of meaningful programs.

Samsung Electronics, a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Smartphone Partner, hosted an event with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on July 31 in Paris to launch and promote a new digital community for people including the Olympic and Paralympic Games fans called “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People.”

The event was held at SPOT24, a multi-use exhibition space in Paris dedicated to Paris 2024, and was attended by IOC President Thomas Bach, MD of the IOC’s Television & Marketing Services Anne-Sophie Voumard, Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons, President and Head of Global Marketing Office at Samsung Electronics YH Lee, President of Samsung Electronics Europe Office Il-kyung Sung and Luc Abalo, a former gold-medal-winning French handball player and accomplished visual artist and participant in the Olympian Artists programme led by the Olympic Museum for Paris 2024.

A former Team Korea volleyball player, Yeon Koung Kim, Team GB Skateboarder Andy Macdonald, Australian Para-athlete Madison de Rozario and UK contents creator and The Rapping Science Teacher, Matt Green are going to take part in this project as global ambassadors and to actively share content for Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People via social media.

The “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People” project was developed by Samsung and the IOC to help Olympic and Paralympic fans around the world experience and engage with the Olympic Movement. The program is especially focused on younger generations, with the new community designed around the goal of helping youth participants “solve, move and create in the spirit of the Olympic values.”

“Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People” introduces three new community-oriented initiatives. Solve Challenge integrates sport and Olympism with Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow program, a youth-focused social contribution program that empowers young people to design innovative solutions using sport and tech to address key social challenges aligned with the priorities of the IOC’s Olympism365. Move Challenge encourages fans of the Games around the globe to get up and walk more using Samsung’s smart mobile phone. Create Challenge lets participants get creative in an innovative digital artists’ community through Samsung’s smart device and S pen.

At the launch event, 10 teams that excelled in Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow program were announced as “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People” ambassadors. Throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, the ambassadors will showcase the solutions they’ve created to address social challenges and work to engage Olympic fans around the world. They will also collaborate with the IOC Young Leader — as well as diverse initiatives fostered by the IOC — to address solutions including the promotion of sustainable development.

During the “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People” event, the ambassadors shared their Solve for Tomorrow projects designed to address real-world problems. A variety of innovative solutions were presented, ranging from help for people to overcome visual disabilities to new ways to promote worker safety.

“Samsung Solve for Tomorrow empowers high school students with the courage to change the world,” said Ngan Huu Kim Le, a member of the U.S. team that developed an insect-based environmental cleanup solution. “It’s an honor to take part and have a chance to present our solution to help build a brighter future for our planet here at Paris 2024 with prominent athletes from around the world.”

“I am impressed by the opportunities that Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has given to hundreds of thousands of young people to develop as future leaders,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “They will be our innovators of tomorrow, and I look forward to seeing them tackle various challenges facing our world. We’re pleased to join with our Worldwide Partner Samsung to continue to work together to identify and support talented young people at the intersection of sport and technology through the “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People” initiative.”

“This project — creating a program in which young people can directly participate and experience Olympic values — is a wonderful outcome from our long-standing collaboration with the IOC,” said YH Lee, President and Head of Global Marketing Office at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to support young people to take on bold and meaningful challenges toward a brighter future.”

For more information about “Together for Tomorrow, Enabling People”, please visit https://olympics.com/togetherfortomorrow

Take a look at Samsung’s efforts to improve accessibility over the past 12 years through the infographic below.

Samsung continues to disclose the results of materiality assessments focused on sustainable management that consider both the impacts of corporate activities on the external environment and external factors on the company. This report contains Samsung’s strategies and major achievements related to the environment, social and governance.

[Environment]
Climate Change and Energy │ Resource Circularity and Waste │ Water

In September 2022, Samsung announced its New Environmental Strategy which includes the company’s goals to achieve net zero Scope 1,2 emissions by 2050, maximize resource circularity to contribute to a circular economy and tackle environmental challenges through technological innovation.

Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) division aims to reach net zero Scope 1,2 emissions by 2030. The DX division achieved 93.4% renewable energy conversion as of the end of 2023 — which includes 100% renewable energy used at major global manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, Korea, China, Brazil, India and Vietnam.

In line with the company’s Resource Circularity Roadmap, recycled resin was incorporated in 25% of procured plastic parts purchased last year. Moreover, the DX division expanded its electronic waste (e-waste) recovery and recycling programs to more than 70 countries as of the end of 2023.

Samsung’s Device Solutions (DS) division installed new process gas treatment facilities (regenerative catalytic systems, RCS) and expanded the use of liquid natural gas (LNG) waste heat recovery systems in 2023 to help reach net zero Scope 1,2 emissions by 2050. As a result of various reduction activities, the DS division’s Scope 1,2 emissions decreased by 11.6% in 2023 compared to 2022. Additionally, the DS Division has expanded its renewable energy use by signing power purchase agreements (PPAs) in Korea to supply renewable energy from a 60-megawatt solar power plant.

Proving the excellence of its water management systems, Samsung obtained Platinum certification — the highest level — from the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) for its Giheung, Hwaseong and Pyeongtaek facilities in Korea and its Xi’an facility in China. Furthermore, the company is reducing waste generation by expanding the number of resource circularity certifications obtained from Korea’s Ministry of Environment to include certifications for nine new items as of March 2024. 

[Social and Governance] 
Employees │ Supply Chain │ Information Security and Protection │ Product Quality and Safety │ Business Conduct

Samsung is upholding human rights and improving working environments while striving to create a strong corporate culture for executives and employees. The Global Grievance Resolution Policy was enacted in April 2024 to ensure grievances received are fairly and consistently handled per the company’s Global Human Rights Principles. With a goal of increasing the number of women in the workforce, Samsung plans to more than double the baseline number of women executives by 2030 as compared to 2022.  

Continuing its support for employees with disabilities, Samsung opened a subsidiary standard workplace in 2023 called “Stellar Forest” to create sustainable jobs for people with developmental disabilities. Starting with a confectionary manufacturer that supplies baked goods to Samsung employees, Stellar Forest plans to diversify into additional industries to create more job opportunities fit for those with disabilities. 

Samsung is gradually expanding its supply chain management scope to include second-tier and non-manufacturing suppliers. Third-party audits were introduced to select second-tier suppliers in 2023, extending the Supplier Code of Conduct from manufacturing suppliers to all suppliers that provide products and services to Samsung. 

Furthermore, the company expanded its security platform Samsung Knox to cover not only smartphones but also smart TVs and smart home appliances. With regular security updates of Galaxy mobile devices, Samsung extended the support period for security updates up to seven years starting from January 2024. 

Samsung prioritizes personal information protection, product quality, customer safety, compliance and ethical management across the company. 

Samsung transparently and efficiently discloses related information through the Sustainability website. In addition, the company actively communicates with stakeholders through forums, surveys and on-site visits. 

Following the spread of non-financial information disclosures and other global trends, this year’s report faithfully communicates Samsung’s strategies, implementation activities and the current status of major sustainable management issues. 

The full text of the 2024 Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report can be downloaded here. 

Since 2006, Samsung has conducted numerous events involving employees and local communities — including river cleanup around worksites, water conservation campaigns and more. In line with this year’s World Water Day theme of “Leveraging Water for Peace,” Samsung organized special activities such as providing drinking water support for those in need and educating the general public on water conservation.

“On World Water Day, Samsung Electronics executives and employees take time to reflect on the importance of clean water by participating in water conservation activities,” said Junhwa Lee, Vice President of Global EHS, Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics. “We must continually strive to ensure clean water is available to future generations.”

▲ Employees at Samsung’s plant in Suwon, Korea, cleaned up Woncheon Stream.

Commemorate World Water Day with Samsung by scrolling through photo highlights of water conservation activities around the world.

Spreading Awareness of River Cleanup Activities

Participating regions: Korea (Suwon, Gwangju and Gumi), Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, Hungary, Brazil and Mexico

▲ Employees of Samsung’s plant in Gumi, Korea, after cleaning up Igye Stream

▲ Employees of Samsung Electronics Mexico with local government employees and residents at Santa Catarina Lake

▲ Employees of Samsung Electronics Malaysia with local residents on the coast of Tanjung Harapan

Water for Peace: World Water Day 2024

Participating regions: Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Egypt and Brazil

▲ Samsung Electronics Egypt employees visited two schools (Martyr Mostafa Salama Preparatory School and Martyr Mohammed Abdallah Secondary Technical School) to teach students the importance of clean water and water conservation.

▲ Samsung Electronics Indonesia employees visited a local school in Cijantur, Bogor, to teach students the importance of water conservation, and also installed a well to provide clean water for villagers living nearby.

Campaigning for Water Conservation

Participating regions: Korea (Suwon and Gwangju), China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Egypt, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico

▲ Samsung Electronics India employees participated in a World Water Day campaign.

▲ Samsung Electronics Malaysia employees attended a training event on water conservation.

In recognition of International Volunteer Day, a UN-designated holiday observed annually on December 5, Samsung Newsroom is spotlighting four Samsung mentors from various countries who have devoted their time to the company’s meaningful CSR initiatives.

Outside-The-Box Thinking To Tackle Societal Problems

As the company’s international STEM competition, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow allows students to develop innovative projects that tackle challenges facing society — with one of the most prominent issues being climate change. Anna Buncler from Samsung Electronics Poland lent her expertise to help Solve for Tomorrow participants raise awareness for the environment through their projects.

“I love this program and recognize the value it brings to students’ lives, helping them broaden their perspectives and analyze the world around them,” she said.

Buncler was inspired by students’ proactivity and awareness of climate issues. “I remember there was this team of elementary school students that had an incredible commitment to building a greener future,” she shared.

Despite coming from a small town in southern Poland, Buncler’s group members demonstrated their eagerness to tackle global challenges. Initially, the team’s project aimed to highlight the importance of energy conservation by focusing on the power used to charge smartphones. Buncler encouraged the team to broaden the project’s scope after recognizing the potential for greater impact.

“Their original idea was brilliant as it explored how much energy is consumed when a phone is charged,” she stated. “Building on this foundation, I encouraged them to involve additional users and incorporate more creative thinking into the project.”

Following her advice, the team added an exercise component to the project, making it more interactive and captivating for users. As a result, the team successfully secured third place in the Solve for Tomorrow competition.

Buncler explained how Solve for Tomorrow gives young people the opportunity to use creative thinking to transform local communities and the world through their projects. “Programs such as Solve for Tomorrow enable young people to express themselves and their ideas, giving them the chance to lead meaningful change to create a better tomorrow,” she said.

Industry Insight Combined With Profound Causes

Vivek Kumar, Camera Software Development Lead at Samsung R&D India, brought extensive experience to the table through his involvement in the competition. With more than 12 years of expertise in diverse technology development, Kumar provided participants with a valuable opportunity to get real-world insights into the tech industry as they built their projects.

Kumar started as a jury member in the competition and helped shortlist top candidates, allowing him to engage with participants directly and share feedback firsthand. He explained how mentoring enabled him to be involved in various stages of the creative process from conducting regular progress check-ins and brainstorming sessions to troubleshooting technical hurdles. “Engaging with young minds was profoundly inspiring for me, as I was able to guide them throughout the entire process,” he explained.

Along the way, Kumar encountered many groups that were working to pursue meaningful change. His role mentoring Team Jalraaj was especially memorable as the group had an ambitious yet admirable goal — creating a low-cost water filtration system for rural communities in India. However, the scale of the project proved to be challenging. Kumar stepped in to offer guidance when the group faced technical obstacles.

“Although the team encountered some challenges along the way, mentors like me could intervene and help the team navigate effectively,” Kumar said.

While the students undoubtedly benefitted from the mentorship, Kumar emphasized how mentoring also enriched both his personal and professional life. “Acting as a guide throughout the Solve for Tomorrow competition was a valuable experience,” he said. “I observed firsthand how combining industry experience with youthful ingenuity and creativity can set the stage for transformative technical innovation.”

Lifting Students Up Through Guidance

Patricia Osorio, Smart TV Product Manager at Samsung Electronics Chile, celebrated her 11th year at the company by joining Solve for Tomorrow as a mentor.

Driven by her passion for volunteer programs, Osorio’s mission within Solve for Tomorrow was to instill confidence and resilience in young minds and allow them to reach their full potential. “My goal was to help students strengthen their confidence,” she said. “During my time participating in Solve for Tomorrow, I was able to observe a noticeable change in their thoughts and the way they carried themselves.”

Thanks to Osorio’s guidance, teams were able to hone their presentation skills and earn top spots in the competition. Witnessing their success and newfound confidence was a great source of pride for Osorio, and she reiterated the value of mentorship.

“I am thankful to all the participants for trusting and relying on us mentors. It was an incredible experience, and I encourage all my colleagues to participate,” she said. “While some may be hesitant to volunteer since our work is often hectic, mentoring is extremely fulfilling and a wonderful way to impact local communities directly.”

Setting Graduates Up for Success

Against the backdrop of a competitive national job market, Jinhyun Kim from the AI/Big Data Lab at Samsung’s Visual Display (VD) Business set out to help recent graduates in Korea feel set up for success. Through the Samsung Software Academy for Youth — the company’s software education program for young jobseekers — Kim worked to solve real problems faced by applicants.

Leveraging his background in programming, algorithm translations and lecturing, Kim provided his mentees with guidance and encouragement to navigate the job market. “Leading them toward their goals and seeing their accomplishments was very fulfilling,” he shared. “One of the most rewarding moments was when a mentee landed a job in the same department as me.”

Kim explained how mentoring helps cultivate shared knowledge, as both sides can learn from each other. “Receiving feedback from mentees about how I could help them grow has reaffirmed my commitment to mentoring,” he said. “I believe this kind of dialogue fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth.”

By sacrificing their time to mentor young people, these Samsung employees and many others are actively supporting the growth of the next generation.

Learn more about Samsung’s CSR initiatives in the links below.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) competition that encourages young minds to tackle social issues affecting their communities. Learn more at Samsung Solve for Tomorrow.

Samsung Innovation Campus provides information communications technology (ICT) education in areas such as AI, IoT, big data, coding and programming to youth who aspire to work in the tech industry. Learn more at Samsung Innovation Campus.

In recent years, Samsung has earned over ten awards — not for its products but for the transformative influence of its unique educational initiative, Solve for Tomorrow. This program encourages participants to apply STEM knowledge to address societal challenges and develop crucial skills such as teamwork, critical thinking and creativity. To celebrate this special milestone in Latin America, Samsung Newsroom is taking a moment to reflect on a decade of progress.

▲ Samsung Vietnam is recognized at the 15th Annual Global CSR & ESG Summit and Awards 2023.

Solve for Tomorrow began in the United States with a noble mission — to empower younger generations through STEM education. The program has expanded its horizons since 2010, reaching across borders and sparking the imaginations of children on a global scale.

As of 2022, more than 2.3 million students have participated in Solve for Tomorrow. This momentum is set to continue as Solve for Tomorrow strives to inspire curiosity, foster creative thinking and provide students with the necessary tools to tackle real-world challenges.

Voices of the Innovators of Tomorrow

The students of Solve for Tomorrow share a strong passion for STEM and goodwill to create positive change in society. With newfound knowledge and skills, they have made tangible differences in their communities and industries.

Victoria Stanisławska, a 17-year-old who was a runner-up in the inaugural Solve for Tomorrow competition in Poland, recently earned a place in Forbes’ “23 Women Worth Following in 2023” list. “My participation in Solve for Tomorrow inspired me to expand my knowledge about environmental protection and teamwork,” said Victoria as she reflected on her experience. “It was a great intellectual adventure with a valuable opportunity to acquire new skills.”

In Kazakhstan, Alikhan Madibekov attributes his true passion for science to the transformative impact of the competition on his community. He developed an online solution to involve the elderly in the digital space but narrowly missed the Solve for Tomorrow finals. Undeterred, he continued to innovate — leading to a series of achievements in youth psychology and astronomy for his STEM solutions. These accomplishments have earned him recognition from NASA and Rise, a collaborative initiative of Schmidt Futures and the Rhodes Trust that is funded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. In addition, he founded the International Children’s Rights Club through UNICEF, a non-profit providing free psychological support to those who cannot afford it. “Thank you very much to Samsung for helping me reach my potential,” said Alikhan. “Solve for Tomorrow was the catalyst that pushed me forward.”

Driven by a deep connection with their local community, César Rodríguez, Gabriel Torres, Neitan Morales and Sebastián Quesada, accompanied by Professor Yamil Vega from Costa Rica, emerged as the 2022 Solve for Tomorrow champions in Latin America. Their winning project, Aquagraf, seeks to address regional water contamination issues and improve the well-being of their community. “Our mission is to make a meaningful impact on society. Solve for Tomorrow not only boosted our self-confidence but also ignited our passion for driving positive change within our community. It gave us the tools and a platform to turn our aspirations into reality,” shared the team. “We’re eager to see the various innovations that we and our peers develop to address the challenges facing our world and society.”

Education Knows No Borders

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow continues to evolve, both in terms of quality and quantity — expanding into Latin America in 2013 and strengthening its presence in the region for a decade.

On November 1, Samsung hosted an exciting event that brought together Solve for Tomorrow winners from various Latin American countries. This marked the inaugural continental Solve for Tomorrow event, where winners from 10 Latin American countries gathered to discuss their experiences. At the event, the 2016 Argentine champion Valentina Avetta shared her inspiring journey.

“While I was managing my diabetes with insulin, I had a lightbulb moment, conceiving the idea for a thermochromic sensor designed to safeguard biosynthetic insulin from harm,” she explained. “After winning Solve for Tomorrow, I had the opportunity to further develop this project into a university thesis.”

“We believe that the next generation of leaders will be the catalyst for a brighter future,” said Mario Laffitte, Vice President of Samsung Electronics Latin America. “It is our mission to empower young people who have the potential to solve the world’s problems.”

In 2024, the program will expand to other continents, fostering new levels of global collaboration.

Solve for Tomorrow had already left its mark in 20 countries by 2020. However, in less than a decade, the competition has experienced exponential growth globally. Today, the program operates in a total of 64 countries — with South Africa, the Netherlands and Indonesia joining the ranks in 2023.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is not only remarkable in its scale but also in the rich educational experiences it offers. The initiative breathes life into engaging and inspiring activities for students, such as workshops, Design Thinking training and mentorship programs. These activities equip students with the knowledge and skills to tackle complex societal challenges through STEM solutions — transforming them from mere learners into proactive problem solvers addressing the issues facing society.

Among the various benefits, mentorship is recognized as the students’ favorite. Experts in the fields of design, tech and marketing actively engage with students through workshops, providing insights and broadening their perspectives. In addition, program participants value the guidance from Samsung employees who advise on projects and share their expertise with contestants.

Samsung’s vision for the future remains laser-focused on youth empowerment by nurturing young minds to ensure they are at the forefront of innovation. Join us in celebrating Solve for Tomorrow’s milestone and its enduring impact on shaping the next generation of STEM leaders who will continue to solve the challenges of tomorrow to make the world a better place for all.

Hailing from different corners of the United States, designers Abi Lambert, Cade Thurlby, Karl Wagner and Tyler Boshard claimed the top prize of £10,000 with their project.

Participants in the Re:Create Design Challenge developed creative ideas to repurpose old Samsung devices or materials and transform them into new products or services.

The competition aimed to discover creative ideas that could potentially help people’s lives and the planet in meaningful ways.

Solar Lookout proposal would see Samsung smartphone repurposed into wildfire detection devices, powered by renewable energy. The proposal was designed with the ambition to reduce the time elapsed between the start of a fire and when it is first reported.

Envisioned to be positioned 10 feet above ground in areas prone to wildfires, these devices would utilize smartphone cameras to spot abnormalies like fires or smoke — harnessing an AI system for precise identification.

To blend in with its natural surroundings, the Samsung smartphone would be encased within a metal container that includes a strategically placed opening to allow the phone’s camera to capture its environment.

According to the designers, the phone would communicate via a mesh network and would be developed to report geospatial data including weather patterns and air quality.

The designers proposed that the device would be equipped with a 50W solar panel mounted atop the pole, serving a dual purpose of generating power for the phone and offering shade to prevent overheating.

Each device would also have space for a Samsung power bank to ensure usability overnight and during limited lighting conditions.

“So many great designs were shortlisted for Samsung and Dezeen’s Re:Create Design Challenge,” said Cajsa Carlson, Deputy Editor of Dezeen. “It was a joy to see how people across the world envisioned creative ideas that could have a positive impact.”

“Solar Lookout stood out for its proposed utility and well-executed design. The thought and attention to detail that the designers put into the project, and the intention to help communities, makes it a very worthy winner,” she continued.

The runners-up of the competition were London design studio Landor & Fitch and Korean designer Eunsu Lee.

Landor & Fitch’s project, known as “Robin,” proposed a modular kit that empowers children to build their own equipment to explore the outdoors. The concept was designed to foster education and curiosity about how products are made and, hopefully instill positive recycling practices from a young age.

Robin would be an interactive toolkit that utilizes parts from old Samsung devices like cameras, speakers and LEDs.

The interchangeable components of such devices would be repurposed into multiple products that can be easily assembled such as a camera, fan and flashlight.

Lee’s proposal, “Memory Capsule,” introduced a concept for a recycling campaign that would transform discarded smartphones into USB devices that would serve as symbolic storage devices preserving memories in the form of images, videos and other data from old phones.

As a playful nod to its name, the design of the device mirrors the shape of a medical capsule and would feature a transparent cap which, according to the designer, would be made from “recycled polycarbonate sourced from discarded fishing nets.”

The device’s packaging would be crafted from recycled pulp, while the metals and plastics within the USB would be repurposed from discarded smartphones.

“The entrants really showcased the power of design through a meaningful and sustainable approach to innovation,” Samsung said.

“The implementation and actual impact on planet remains untested. However, with consistent effort and creativity in mind, we hope brainstorming such small changes could possibly help create our vision for the future together.”

Finalists were selected from over 45 countries worldwide, with Solar Lookout emerging as the winner of the Re:Create Design Challenge.

The initial entries were narrowed down to a shortlist of 11 designs, from which the jury selected the top three prize winners. Each design was evaluated based on its innovative ideas and consideration for use of old Samsung devices and recycled materials.

The total prize pool for the top three finalists amounted to £18,000 with £10,000 going to the designers of Solar Lookout for their winning concept.

*The proposed designs above by the entrants are conceptual and have not been implemented. No assessment was made regarding implementation feasibility and actual or potential social and environmental impact of the designs, which were judged purely on the strength and creativity of the ideas presented.

Please find more stories of the winners in Dezeen Website.

To celebrate International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11, Samsung Electronics is showcasing the remarkable achievements of young women who participated in Samsung Innovation Campus — the company’s global initiative to equip young students with 4IR knowledge and hands-on technical experience.

By pursuing research and work in STEM fields, these young women are breaking down societal barriers and showing how anyone can become leaders and innovators of tomorrow. Read on to learn more about these graduates and their inspiring stories.

USA: Amplifying the Voices of All

Impassioned by her interest in AI and robotics, Natia Lollie from Texas found herself motivated to enroll in Samsung Innovation Campus to take her knowledge and skills further. After completing the rigorous seven-month program, Lollie emerged with a greater understanding of neural networks and deep learning, recognizing their potential to revolutionize robotics as well as solve highly complex challenges.

As Samsung Innovation Campus provides students from all backgrounds the opportunity to learn and grow, Lollie explains how the program acts as a crucial step in the journey towards true inclusivity, diversity and gender visibility within tech. “Encouraging women to participate and discover their places in the development and governance of the AI industry will both reduce bias and ensure that there is a diversity of perspectives. It will also promote greater representation by amplifying all voices and making sure they’re heard,” Lollie said.

Leveraging the knowledge acquired from Samsung Innovation Campus, Lollie aspires to be a Computer Vision specialist in the future and is actively working towards this goal. “My initial goal when I set out to take the course was to find the intersection between AI, machine learning and robotics and I successfully accomplished this. With the knowledge I gained, I now have a better understanding of how to utilize these skills to achieve my dream,” she added.

INDIA: A Community of Women in STEM

Samsung Innovation Campus alumna Medapati Vijaya is currently an undergraduate student pursuing civil engineering at the Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College of Engineering. As an avid math enthusiast, Vijaya found herself curious to learn more about the role math plays in AI and machine learning — leading her to enroll in Samsung Innovation Campus in 2022.

Vijaya’s experiences at Samsung Innovation Campus led to both academic and personal growth. “The field of STEM is traditionally male dominated. However, with the support of the Samsung Innovation Campus community and the program’s resources, I was able to connect with other like-minded women in STEM and succeed,” Vijaya explained.

Samsung Innovation Campus’ curriculum covered a variety of topics related to AI, including data analytics — which Vijaya had a personal interest in due to her aspiration to become a data analyst. The program also enabled Vijaya to strengthen her organizational and analytical thinking skills as it seamlessly bridged theoretical knowledge and practice, which she claims is essential within the tech industry.

“You may encounter some difficulties but don’t let this discourage you! Believe in your potential, embrace your curiosity and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community, such as the one I experienced in Samsung Innovation Campus, can make all the difference,” Vijaya expressed.

Vijaya explained how the all-female educational environment had a profound effect on her confidence, as she was able to connect with her peers and step outside of her comfort zone. “My experience at Samsung Innovation Campus helped me develop my confidence in many ways,” said Vijaya.

SPAIN: A Path Forward for Women in Tech

Valencia natives Carmen Llopis and Daniela Georgieva both began their tech journeys at Samsung Innovation Campus in Spain — a unique program to boost women’s participation in the AI field through courses designed specifically for local universities.

Llopis, who attends the Polytechnic University of Valencia, was not initially interested in AI and other technologies. After enrolling in Samsung Innovation Campus, her perspective shifted dramatically and she discovered an interest she did not know she had. “AI is my newfound passion and it’s an exciting field to be involved in. I am now advancing my studies and actively engaging in the tech industry as a woman, and I hope young girls in Spain can be inspired to pursue their passions for technology,” said Llopis.

Originally a graphic design student, Georgieva gradually became interested in programming and decided to explore this curiosity. Despite her limited knowledge of AI, she was warmly welcomed into the AI training program at Samsung Innovation Campus. The program also actively encouraged women such as Georgieva to participate in the courses, nurturing their talents and allowing them to thrive.

Likewise, Samsung is committed to focus on raising women up through education. Stay tuned to Samsung Newsroom for more inspiring stories about how Samsung Innovation Campus is creating a new generation of diverse leaders in tech around the world.

The World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs Report¹ underscores the growing prominence of technology in the job market. As approximately 75% of companies intend to integrate technologies such as big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) within the next five years, it’s important for young individuals to familiarize themselves with these tools to stay competitive. What’s more, widespread digitalization significantly impacted commerce and trade, with 86% of companies considering platforms and app adoption. Now more than ever, technology skills are necessary for young job seekers to succeed in today’s evolving business landscape.

Through its global corporate social responsibility programs, Samsung Electronics remains committed to empowering, engaging and nurturing the creativity of young minds who aspire to be the problem solvers of tomorrow. One such program, Samsung Innovation Campus, plays a crucial role in shaping and honing the capabilities of young individuals by providing comprehensive training in information and communications technology (ICT). To date, this initiative has expanded its reach to 35 countries worldwide — successfully impacting 119 thousand talented participants.

Samsung Newsroom takes a deep dive into this global initiative, highlighting how Samsung fulfills its corporate social responsibilities and celebrates the empowerment of youth around the world.

Türkiye: Unlocking the Future With Samsung Innovation Campus — Özge Özkaya

“Through Samsung Innovation Campus, you can find solutions and apply them to areas where they are most needed in society.”

“Draw your future with Samsung Innovation Campus to become an AI engineer, big data analyst or AI researcher — like I did!”

Türkiye is among several nations with a growing demand for ICT specialists in its job market — approximately 18% of Turkish businesses hired an ICT specialist in 2022 compared to 12% in 2020.² Turkish students have an opportunity to stand out from other job applicants through the technical education and hands-on experience offered by Samsung Innovation Campus.

One of these students is Özge Özkaya, whose life took a transformative turn when she participated in Samsung Innovation Campus to fulfill her passion for AI and big data. Now, working at an AI Lab under the United Nations Development Programme, Özge attributes her achievements to the invaluable knowledge gained from the program. By collaborating with her friends, Hale Afra İriş and Gözde Gözütok, Özge developed an AI solution capable of predicting forest fires, an essential asset for building sustainable cities and communities. The team meticulously worked on web scraping, API calls, data cleaning and feature engineering to develop an advanced machine-learning model with an impressive 80% accuracy rate in forecasting potential fires.

This success showcases the real-world impact that Samsung Innovation Campus strives to deliver — offering a beacon of hope to young minds, such as Özge, who aspire to make a positive impact on the world.

“Through Samsung Innovation Campus, you can find solutions and apply them to areas where they are most needed in society,” said Özge. “It’s a worthwhile experience. Draw your future with Samsung Innovation Campus to become an AI engineer, big data analyst or AI researcher — like I did!”

South Africa: Fueling the Dreams of a Young Technologist — Katlego Magoro

“Students now have the necessary skills to make meaningful contributions to society one day.”

“Technology can be a powerful tool for ending social divides, promoting greater equality and extending opportunities to all South Africans.”

Katlego Magoro is one of the recent graduates of Samsung Innovation Campus at Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. After losing his parents at a young age, Katlego was raised by his grandparents. He credits his seamstress grandmother for instilling the value of hard work and attention to detail. Although his lifelong dream was to become a lawyer and fight for underserved communities like his own, fate had other plans for Katlego. When he missed the chance to enroll in law school, he found himself studying Information Technology (IT) at Walter Sisulu University. This is where Katlego discovered his passion for coding and programming despite his initial hesitation.

With the support of university lecturers and Samsung’s program, Katlego excelled in IT and became a skilled software developer. “Samsung Innovation Campus focused on applying our theoretical knowledge to solve real-world problems. This practice equipped us with the relevant tools to stand out as aspiring software developers, data analysts and scientists in this highly competitive industry,” said Katlego. “Thanks to Samsung and the university, students now have the necessary skills to make meaningful contributions to society one day.”

Katlego’s passion for bringing digital strength to South Africa is stronger than ever — where only 22% of households have a computer and a mere 10% have internet access.³ Katlego strives to build the foundation for a brighter future by supporting marginalized communities in his country and granting them access to big data analytics. “Technology can be a powerful tool for ending social divides, promoting greater equality and extending opportunities to all South Africans,” he explained.

Fueled by the belief in technology’s potential for positive change, Katlego and other Samsung Innovation Campus students are determined to pave the way for a more inclusive and connected future.

Greece: From Student to Samsung’s AI Linguist — Georgia Maniati

“The program’s excellent curriculum surpassed my expectations. Exposure to real-world scenarios and collaboration with like-minded individuals were the most valuable parts for me.”

“We can actively contribute to bridging the gap between skills supply and demand while fostering innovation and driving the industry forward.”

Greece’s tech sector has surged recently, driven by an increase in government and foreign investments around innovation. Thanks to heightened demand, Greece is now actively seeking tech-savvy individuals.⁴

One such example is Georgia Maniati, a language engineer from Greece, who deepened her passion for AI at Samsung Innovation Campus. Following her linguistics and AI studies in the U.K., she returned to Athens to dive deeper into data analytics.

She credits Samsung Innovation Campus for expanding her horizons. “Despite my experience in AI, I had no background in big data or e-commerce,” said Georgia. “The program’s excellent curriculum surpassed my expectations. Exposure to real-world scenarios and collaboration with like-minded individuals were the most valuable parts for me.”

Now, as an AI speech and language research scientist at Samsung, Georgia works on projects like Samsung’s Bixby digital assistant, product launches and updates, and global language endeavors. “As part of the Samsung family, I take pride in the company’s commitment to equipping recent graduates with AI and data analytics skills,” she said. “We can actively contribute to bridging the gap between skills supply and demand while fostering innovation and driving the industry forward.”

Thailand: Clearer Vision Ahead — Sirithorn Pinthong & Jitchaya Phuwanatum

“Samsung Innovation Campus provided me with step-by-step guidance starting from the basics and unwavering support from teachers and mentors.”

“Now, I have a clearer vision of my engineering career path!”

Over the past decade, Thailand has transformed into a tech-driven economy, fostering innovation and attracting funding for new technologies. With a target to invest 2% of its gross domestic product in research and development by 2027, the country is enhancing its appeal as an investment hub and emphasizing education that cultivates innovation, moving beyond traditional industries.⁵

Samsung Innovation Campus plays a pivotal role in line with Thailand’s shift towards innovation. Two high school students from Thailand embarked on their tech journey through the program and built a foundation for their education and careers: Sirithorn Pinthong from Suankularb Wittayalai Rangsit School and Jitchaya Phuwanatum from Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Pathumthani. Both students share a deep interest in data science and had wonderful experiences with the program.

“I lacked solid Python skills and felt unsure about developing them,” Sirithorn explained. “However, Samsung Innovation Campus provided me with step-by-step guidance starting from the basics and unwavering support from teachers and mentors. Now, I have a clearer vision of my engineering career path.”

Jitchaya recommended the program to fellow students who share her interest in data science, emphasizing the increasing relevance of new technologies across all industries. “I am grateful for the opportunity to explore new concepts and subjects through Samsung Innovation Campus,” she said. “The program was rich in knowledge and hands-on activities, greatly enhancing our learning experience.”

Spain: Deeper Into the World of Data Science — Yana Gizdova

“Through immersive training, access to the latest technologies and guidance from industry experts, Samsung Innovation Campus equipped me with the skills I needed for the real world.”

“Samsung Innovation Campus has been a driving force for my growth, leaving me well-prepared and enthusiastic to embrace the exciting challenges of the data-driven world.”

In Spain, companies face challenges in filling job vacancies, particularly in ICT and STEM fields. Data analysts, computer engineers, big data experts, IT security technicians and other renewable energy, business intelligence and data mining roles have become increasingly difficult to fill, especially in 2022.⁶

Amidst this demand for skilled talent, Yana Gizdova, a STEM student from Bulgaria studying computer engineering and business administration in Spain, plans to make a positive impact through data-driven solutions. Discovering Samsung Innovation Campus in 2022 became a game changer for her career.

“Through immersive training, access to the latest technologies and guidance from industry experts, Samsung Innovation Campus equipped me with the skills I needed for the real world,” said Yana.

She had a rewarding experience with Samsung Innovation Campus, working on a capstone project that involved analyzing false social media content by detecting and studying programmed bot users. This opportunity not only improved her data science skills but also emphasized the importance of ethical data handling.

Thanks to the program’s unwavering support, Yana secured an internship in the data field, further preparing her for a promising future in data science. “My goal is to become a skilled data scientist, crafting captivating stories and empowering individuals and organizations to make informed decisions,” described Yana. “Samsung Innovation Campus has been a driving force for my growth, leaving me well-prepared and enthusiastic to embrace the exciting challenges of the data-driven world.”

Samsung is committed to empowering bright young minds worldwide through educational programs that nurture their talents and help them become leaders in their communities. For more inspiring stories about how Samsung is encouraging the problem solvers of tomorrow, stay tuned to Samsung Newsroom.

¹ World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs Report 2023, May 2023
² Turkish Statistical Institute, Survey on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Usage in Enterprises, September 2022
³ Africa.com, The Digital Divide: Barriers To The Realization Of Digital Rights For Learners In South Africa, March 2023
⁴ Bloomberg, Greece Goes All In On Tech — Now It Needs Skilled Workers, December 2022
⁵ Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council, Public Policies and Measures Aim at Boosting R&D Expenditure to 2% GDP by 2027, June 2023
⁶ EURES, Labor Market Information: Spain, March 2023

Challenging Innovators To Ideate for a Better Future

Following the announcement of its New Environmental Strategy in September 2022, Samsung has been working closely with startups to invest in and develop innovative technologies capable of helping the planet.

To further these efforts, Samsung and XTC have announced the Samsung Climate & Circularity Tech Challenge. This competition, focused on circular economy and climate change, seeks to identify new leading solutions that are in line with the values of Samsung’s New Environmental Strategy.

Participants are encouraged to submit ideas that address resource circularity as related to not only the processing, sorting and extraction phases but also climate change innovation as related to carbon emission measurement and management and carbon emission reduction and offsetting. Selected entries may be considered for implementation into Samsung’s wide range of products and associated manufacturing processes.

The Samsung Climate & Circularity Tech Challenge is open to tech-for-good founders and innovators. Besides having the opportunity to see their ideas form the next generation of home electronics, successful participants will receive exposure on the global stage as well as the potential for investment and corporate strategic partnerships. Winning entries will also be allocated a presence within Samsung’s exhibition at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, U.S.

Those interested in the challenge are able to apply before applications close on August 6, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.¹ Finalists will be announced on August 28, ahead of a live final event on September 18.

For more information on the challenge, please visit the official website.

¹ The content has been revised as of July 31, 2023 to provide more accurate information.

Through this report, Samsung discloses its sustainability strategy and performance in the areas of People, Planet and Principle.

The report highlights major activities over the past year, including progress in implementing the New Environmental Strategy announced in September 2022 and the launch of the company’s Global Human Rights Principles.

The New Environmental Strategy specifies the company’s roadmap to achieve net zero at the Device eXperience (DX) Division by 2030 and at the company level including the Device Solutions (DS) Division by 2050, as well as its efforts to contribute to climate action and a circular economy.

In 2022, Samsung completed its transition to renewable energy use in Vietnam, India and Brazil — in line with the company’s goal to fully transition to renewable energy use at DX and all operational sites outside Korea by 2027.

In addition, the company increased the amount of recycled resin used in its plastic parts — on track towards its goal to use recycled resin in 50% of plastic parts by 2030 and in all plastic components by 2050.

In 2022, Samsung’s DS Division expanded installations of Regenerative Catalytic Systems (RCSs) in its facilities to treat process gas more efficiently and reduce direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Moreover, through its efforts to restore water to its natural state prior to discharge by 2040, Hwaseong Campus attained the highest Platinum rating issued by the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS).

Samsung continues to expand collaboration with various stakeholders. The company joined global initiatives such as RE100, the Asian Clean Energy Coalition (ACEC) and Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE). Samsung also collaborated with Patagonia to launch a filter that reduces microplastics released from washing machines.

This year’s Sustainability Report delves into the company’s approach to respecting human rights and fostering talent. In February 2023, Samsung announced its Global Human Rights Principles that highlight the company’s commitment to respect human rights in line with international standards, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

In terms of talent development, the company introduced the Free Agent (FA) initiative and Samsung Talent Exchange Program (STEP) in 2022 — expanding opportunities for employees to experience different functions within the company. Samsung also launched The University of Samsung Electronics (The UniverSE), a comprehensive training platform that supports employees’ professional development.

Furthermore, Samsung has included sustainability-related indicators in performance evaluations of organizational units and executives since 2021. Depending on the area or function, these performance metrics include indicators on GHG emissions reduction, renewable energy transition, energy efficient product development, compliance and accessibility.

Lastly, in February 2023, Samsung launched its Sustainability Website, a comprehensive platform that offers detailed information on the company’s sustainability-related activities. The website covers a wide range of topics including strategy and goals, ongoing efforts and progress, environmentally responsible products, policies, quantitative performance data, news and featured stories, as well as recognitions and awards.

The full text of the 2023 Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report can be downloaded here.

For more stories about Samsung’s sustainability initiatives, visit here.

“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 toward 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 Economic and Social Council (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 Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator. “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 USD 10 million 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

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.

Samsung Electronics and global design and architecture magazine Dezeen today announced the launch of their latest global design competition to recognize the value of sustainability. Offering a total of £18,000 in prize money, the Re:Create Design Challenge invites entrants around the world to dream up their own creative ideas for reusing, recycling and upcycling old Samsung devices or their materials.

What Is the Re:Create Design Challenge?

The Re:Create Design Challenge reflects Samsung’s ongoing efforts to make its products and services more sustainable. The competition advances those efforts by encouraging entrants to come up with innovative ways to repurpose old devices or waste materials by transforming them into new products or services that can benefit both people and the planet.

Examples include Samsung’s EYELIKE project, which sees old smartphones repurposed into medical diagnosis cameras, as well as the latest Galaxy devices, which feature a design that incorporates recycled plastic from discarded fishing nets, and the SolarCell Remote, which incorporates recycled materials for 24% of its plastic component and is powered by light rather than conventional disposable batteries.

“We live in an era of uncertainty and unlimited opportunity, especially for design creatives,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Corporate Design Center at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung believes in the power of creativity, and our future needs to be protected and transformed through meaningful and sustainable innovations. We hope this competition provides a spark that leads to impactful change for all of us.”

How To Enter

The challenge is free to enter for anyone over the age of 18 in any country, regardless of whether they are a professional designer, a student or someone with no formal design training.

Entering the challenge is easy and may be done by visiting Dezeen’s official website, which provides full details on the competition, including submission instructions and prize information. Those interested in participating should submit their idea to Dezeen’s website by July 19 at 23:59 GMT.

How Will Winners Be Selected?

Submissions will be subject to several rounds of evaluation, with four criteria.

• Innovation: How original is the idea?
• Problem-solving: Does the idea propose meaningful solutions to improve peoples’ lives?
• Social and Environmental impact: How will the idea positively impact people and the planet?
• Human-centered design: How well does the idea fit with Samsung’s design philosophy and resonate with its products or the lifestyles of Samsung consumers?

Once the initial rounds are completed, shortlist will be selected and announced in August. And an expert panel of Dezeen editors and design professionals will select the first-place winner and the two runners-up.

The first-place winning individual or team will take home the competition’s £10,000 grand prize. The two runners-up will receive cash prizes of £4,000 each.

For more information, please visit Dezeen’s official website.

“Today, unfortunately, the number of abandoned animals is on the rise, and our dedicated association is tirelessly striving to secure the perfect home for each one of our furry residents,” explained Gloria Malin, founder of S-PAS, an animal rescue association in Croatia.

With canine appearance affecting the likelihood of whether or not a dog is adopted, Samsung developed the “See Beyond Color” campaign to highlight the pets that are in need of forever homes — especially since studies show that a growing number of pet parents around the world are harnessing their smartphones to capture pictures of their furry friends.

Putting a Face to Shelter Animals To Raise Adoption Awareness

Combining the adorable qualities of man’s best friend with Samsung’s leading photo-capturing technologies, the “See Beyond Color” initiative is currently running in Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia in partnership with local animal shelters from April to July 2023.

With its powerful 200MP camera lens, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is supporting the initiative and its goal of spreading adoption awareness by capturing high-resolution images of canine models, down to even the smallest detail in their expressions and appearances. The intricate portraits serve to truly bring these shelter animals to life, showcasing their individual characteristics and proving that animals are much more than their coloring.

At the Ljubljana shelter in Slovenia, workers are fully aware of the charm of a dog’s appearance, stating that “beautiful photos of dogs capture people’s attention and increase the chances of the dog finding a potential adopter.” Therefore, employees work hard to capture appealing photos for the shelter’s website and social media platforms where they promote pets seeking forever homes.

Photography can capture an animal’s best angles, even if the color of its fur cannot be changed. The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s powerful 200MP camera and Nightography feature make taking stunning photos of furry friends a breeze, helping to win over the hearts of viewers and any potential adopters.

“As we strive for technological advancement, we also remain steadfast in our commitment to socially responsible business practices,” said Pavle Zobundžija, Head of the Mobile Experience Department, Samsung Electronics Adriatic. “The ‘See Beyond Color’ campaign embodies this ethos as we endeavor to celebrate and capture these magnificent creatures in vivid detail using Samsung’s cutting-edge camera technologies. With this initiative, we are aiming to lend a helping hand to local animal associations and their efforts to secure safe, loving homes for as many abandoned animals as possible.”

The Diversity of Color and Emotions

A key part of the “See Beyond Color” campaign is the belief that every animal deserves a home, regardless of its breed, coloring or size. Accordingly, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the perfect camera to capture the unique personalities of these furry friends — from the mischievous glint in their eyes to the curious tilt of their heads. Galaxy S23 Ultra’s top-notch camera can compellingly convey how each animal has its own spirit and beauty. The canine models under the tagline are the true stars of the “See Beyond Color” campaign. The full collection of high-resolution photographs taken by the Galaxy S23 Ultra, as well as more information on these adoptable animals, can be found on the Samsung websites of the participating countries.¹

In addition to promoting shelters within each participating region, the online platforms also feature a wide range of resources for current dog owners, including how to perfect their pet photography skills. Visitors can enjoy handy video tutorials on how to film their pets in 8K resolution, how to capture hilarious Super Slow-Mo videos and even how to create special videos with stickers using the Smart Select feature on their Galaxy smartphone.

Pet owners strive to create memorable photos on a daily basis. In fact, Samsung Europe’s Pet Living survey² conducted in partnership with Opinium found that almost half (47%) of pet owners have at least one social media account dedicated to their pet, with Instagram being the most popular platform of choice (27%) followed closely by Facebook (24%). Among them, 45% of respondents post at least once a week, displaying the massive popularity and dedication of owners who post pet-related content.

Celebrating Canine Companions in Epic Style

▲ Adopters with the shelter dogs

Raising adoption awareness, promoting responsible ownership and helping animal shelters find forever homes for abandoned pets are central to the “See Beyond Color” campaign.

Up to this point, 61 shelter dogs have been adopted — a strong start in the effort to find homes for furry friends in need.

In order to bring the initiative to life, Samsung created special mobile pavilions called Studio23, visiting cities in Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia in order to engage with local communities. Decorated with captivating images from the campaign, the Samsung Studio23 mobile pavilions also function as social hubs for visitors and their canine companions, offering various activities including dog photography zones, dedicated play areas and a space to experience the Galaxy S23 series’ powerful camera first-hand. Over 7,000 people have visited these mobile pavilions so far with additional attendees expected in the coming weeks.

▲ Visitors and furry friends alike enjoy the range of activities and dedicated photo zones available at the Samsung Studio23 mobile pavilions.

Moreover, social media influencers are promoting the “See Beyond Color” initiative by sharing their personal pet memories and bringing attention to shelter dogs who are up for adoption.

“Chia came into my life unexpectedly,” recalled Noemi Žonta, a Slovenian influencer participating in the campaign, and explained how she found her furry life companion. “I found her when I was visiting the island of Sardinia. Despite her past traumas, she has grown into a wonderful puppy. I cannot imagine a better companion. She goes with me everywhere — when I’m traveling, working, relaxing, and even doing my hobbies.”

Since the beginning, Samsung’s “See Beyond Color” has been positively received by a wide audience including media, influencers, surrounding communities and local animal shelters. “The campaign helped us reach a larger number of followers who may not have heard of us before,” said Milena Brkljačić, from SPANS, an animal shelter in Serbia. “As a result of the ‘See Beyond Color’ campaign, more people have the opportunity, both during and after the campaign, to become new adopters or support our organization and adoption efforts in a variety of ways.”

All the engaging activities from the “See Beyond Color” campaign ultimately aim to raise awareness about abandoned animals, help pets find their forever homes and empower local communities. Through the stunning pictures taken with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung encourages people to see the beauty in dogs of all breeds, colors and sizes with the hope adoptable dogs are able to reach potential owners.

Stay tuned to Samsung Newsroom for more information about Samsung’s social initiatives and programs around the world.

¹ Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia.
² Pet Living: How Pet Ownership is Shaping Technology Use in the Home

Relumino Mode, a viewing mode on select Samsung TVs, was designed to augment the visual capabilities of those with low vision, making it possible for anyone to engage with their favorite shows, movies and documentaries like never before. By highlighting specific parts of videos — such as contrast, color and sharpness — this feature makes it easier than ever to discern content on the TV screen.

To shed more light on this groundbreaking inclusive technology, Samsung Newsroom sat down with Dr. Kyungah Park and Jason (Jaeseong) Park from Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics, to discuss everything from development to clinical trials.

▲ Jason Park (Samsung Electronics) and Kyungah Park, M.D. (Samsung Medical Center) discuss their journeys in creating and clinically testing Relumino Mode

Screens for All — Including People With Impaired Vision

Relumino, borrowed from Latin, means “to give back the light.” The idea is to restore vision as much as possible to people with impaired vision. Earlier this year at CES, Samsung introduced Relumino Mode on select Samsung TVs. This follows the wearable device “Relumino Glass” and the smartphone image processing software “Relumino App,” each revealed at CES in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Before that, Relumino was conceived in “C-Lab(Creative Lab),” Samsung Electronics’ in-house venture program. It has evolved and expanded ever since.

▲ Relumino Glass(left) and Relumino Mode for Samsung TVs(right)

“For several years, ‘Screens for All’ has been one of the key mottos for us. We’re working to further enhance TV accessibility and promote inclusion,” said Jason Park, who plans products and services for the Visual Display Business. “People with low vision are still a key demographic that need better TV viewing experiences.”

Innovation Rooted in the User’s Perspective

To develop Relumino Mode, planners and engineers met with a number of advisors who had visual impairments to understand their wants and needs.

▲ Jason Park, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics

“There’s an early experience that really changed my perspective,” shared Jason. “When we first met an advisor for Relumino Mode, I asked him to ‘Please come here and have a seat’ to which he replied, ‘Where is here?’ That was a hard and clear wake-up call for me. I was so embarrassed.” It was then that Jason realized that they were exploring a totally new territory and would have to first understand the way their users see the world.

▲ As part of the efforts to understand customers with visual impairments, Samsung engineers used special goggles to simulate blurry vision

Despite the decades of collective experience in enhancing TV picture quality, this particular project presented a unique challenge that none of the engineers had encountered before. Typically, their expertise lay in identifying even the slightest imperfections on the screen, but now they had to understand what it’s like as a user to have impaired vision. In addition to consulting advisors, the engineers utilized special goggles that simulated blurry vision, serving as a starting point for their exploration. Through a process of generating ideas, conducting trials and learning from mistakes, they eventually developed a solution that could be considered a genuinely effective viewing mode.

Clinical Trials and Direct Feedback

After initial research and development came trials on a larger scale. This is where Samsung Electronics decided to collaborate with Samsung Medical Center, one of South Korea’s most comprehensive medical facilities.

▲Dr. Kyungah Park, Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center

“Clinical trials targeting people without disabilities are popular and recruiting subjects for these projects is relatively easy. Some even ask to join before we ask,” said Dr. Park. “But, that was not the case for the Relumino study. The pool was much more limited as we were more strict with our requirements — we targeted people who have lower vision than WHO’s vision impairment criteria.”

However, the people that Samsung contacted showed much passion for the project. “Many who joined the trials were very excited and didn’t mind traveling long distances for the study. Thanks to their support and encouragement, we were able to carry out the research,” Dr. Park added.

Four 55-inch Samsung QLED TVs were featured in the tests. One displayed the control image with no picture enhancements at all. The other three TVs showed the same content with Relumino Mode on high, medium and low. The TVs were installed on a meter away from each other onw a wall in a room with a specified amount of light.

The test was two-fold, with objective and subjective evaluations. A certified contrast sensitivity test was employed for the objective evaluation. For the subjective evaluations, participants were asked to examine a set of eight still images and two videos on each of the screens. Their satisfaction levels were measured on a scale of 0 to 10. Based on the results, researchers carried out additional interviews adjusting picture enhancement levels on the spot.

▲ A blurry vision goggle simulation of what Relumino Mode may look like to people with visual impairment

Relumino mode was well received by the group. One of the participants highly praised the technology, saying “I was thrilled to see the ball in a soccer match on screen. It can get frustrating if you can’t see the ball because of low vision, as you can imagine. Relumino Mode helped me see the ball clearly.”

“The subjects’ responses indicated the Mode’s subjective results while the contrast sensitivity testing showed its objective results. Both of these factors, combined, allowed us to find the optimal setting for a brilliant image on TV,” said Jason.

Screens for All, Today and Tomorrow

“While [the Relumino Mode] project focused on people with relatively severe visual impairment many people with slightly lighter symptoms still need help. I’d like to work on developing projects for them,” explained Dr. Park.

Jason shared a similar point of view, saying, “Samsung will continue to advance technology in the long term to provide personalized picture quality for people with vision impairment and let them enjoy TV comfortably.” Samsung remains committed to accessibility and strives to leverage its technologies to enable more people do what they enjoy.

When innovative technology meets great design, our lives can become more convenient. Samsung Newsroom spoke with inspiring people who use Samsung products and features to unlock new possibilities and enhance their lives.

Exploring the World Together

It is only natural for parents to want to share special moments together with their children, especially as they grow curious about the world and find joy in discovering new things. For parents with visual impairments, exploring the world with children requires a different approach.

“This is an apple, and this is a puppy.”

Children often point at objects they don’t know as they grow up and learn about their surroundings. With Bixby Vision for accessibility, parents with visual impairments can find out what their children are curious about as the device narrates for them. Even if parents aren’t able to see what’s in front of them, they can experience the world with their children through sound.

[Bixby Vision for Accessibility]

With an easy setup and simple interface, Bixby Vision vocally describes what it sees, helping people make sense of the world around them. Bixby Vision supports scene describer,¹ object identifier,² text reader and color detector.

* On smartphones and tablets: Settings → Accessibility → Spoken assistance → Bixby Vision for accessibility
** Service availability and content providers may vary by country, device, OS and One UI version.

Enjoying the World Together

Everyone is different — even members of the same family. For CODA³ families, hearing children converse with their parents who are deaf through sign language. As children grow up, parents want to learn more about what their children are experiencing and enjoying.

“Mom, look at that. Isn’t it funny?”

With Sign Language Zoom, it’s easier for CODA parents to better understand what their children are watching through a bigger sign language screen. Now, the entire family can enjoy their time in front of the TV and share even more laughter and joy together.

[Sign Language Zoom]

Sign Language Zoom automatically recognizes and enlarges the sign language area, enabling users who are deaf to see more detailed mouth and facial expressions. You can specify a sign language area and adjust the magnification by up to 200%. Users who are deaf or hard of hearing can also use this function to zoom in on a specific area of the screen, such as scores for sporting events or quiz programs.

* On TVs: Home → Menu → Settings → All settings → General & Privacy → Accessibility → Sign Language Zoom Settings
** Available on all Samsung Smart TVs released in 2021 or later.

Sharing With the World

Each and every one of us is different, with our physical abilities changing over time. Given the diverse range of experiences being lived by others around the world, it is important that everyone feels empowered to do what they want, meet who they want and live the life they want.

“I want to inspire people through social media.”

People with physical disabilities can seamlessly take, edit and share selfies on social media using the Assistant menu on Samsung smartphones or tablets. With the Assistant menu, everyone can use their personal devices to communicate and meet new friends.

[Assistant menu]

The Assistant menu lets you easily control your phone by simply tapping a shortcut icon to access hardware buttons, apps, features and other settings.

* On smartphones and tablets: Settings → Accessibility → Interaction and dexterity → Assistant menu

Staying in Tune With the World

For people who are deaf and hard of hearing, navigating the world can take a different shape. With this in mind, it’s important for them to receive everyday notifications in new ways.

“Light can become a language of its own.”

Light can help those who are deaf and hard of hearing receive the information they need in their day-to-day life. SmartThings uses lighting to notify users when someone’s at the door, when meals are ready or when the laundry is done. Light has become a way to communicate through SmartThings.

[SmartThings]

Sync your devices and appliances via the SmartThings app to control and get notifications about your air conditioner, washing machine, fridge and more.^* Then, connect partner products such as door sensors, lights and thermostats to automate and simplify your own day-to-day routine^** — like setting your smart light to dim or change colors once the laundry is done.

* To set notifications

• On smartphone and tablets: SmartThings app → Menu → Notifications → More (⋮) → Notification settings
• On TVs released in 2021 or later: SmartThings app → Settings → Notifications

TV notifications are limited to minimize any interruptions to the viewing experience.

** To set SmartThings routines

• SmartThings app → Automations → Add (+) Create routine
  

Possibilities Never Before Imagined

Samsung believes these stories can foster a world where all people benefit from the convenience enabled by technology.

Users with disabilities have utilized Samsung’s features in creative ways to enhance their lives — despite the fact that some functions were not originally designed as accessibility features. To this end, Samsung has provided new ways for users to interact with its products and services and has taken inspiration from real-life cases to develop stories with guidance from the Samsung Accessibility Committee⁴ and Samsung Family Supporters.⁵

Samsung hopes to continue creating accessible designs that unlock new possibilities so everyone will be empowered to lead meaningful, independent lives.

From the UX Team of the Corporate Design Center, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

* This article consists of stories based on interviews with people with disabilities and guidance from Samsung Family Supporters, an organization made up of Samsung employees and family members with disabilities.
** Illustrations by KIMUSTUDIO, an organization working with talented designers with developmental disabilities who create artistic pieces that challenge long-held stereotypes that have previously created prejudices in art.

¹ Scene describer mode currently supports English (US), French, German, Italian, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish (Spain).
² Object identifier mode supports 54 languages, which are the same languages supported in the translation feature.
³ CODA is an acronym for Children of Deaf Adults, referring to children raised by at least one guardian who is deaf.
⁴ The Samsung Accessibility Committee works closely together with designers and developers to continuously improve the accessibility experience for all Samsung users.
⁵ Together with Samsung Family Supporters, consisting of Samsung employees and family members with disabilities, Samsung assesses the needs of users across the spectrum to create ease of use for all.

Whether it’s listening to your favorite music, or simply tuning into — or tuning out — your surroundings, the Galaxy Buds2 Pro offers the ultimate in sound for everyone. As we recognize Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Samsung is committed to helping those who are hard of hearing better enjoy the sounds of the world around them with the introduction of new enhanced Ambient Sound.

Making Technology More Accessible and Inclusive

Previously available at three levels of customization, the updated Ambient Sound feature — which gives users the ability to listen to and stay aware of their surroundings — now adds two additional levels, offering five levels of amplification¹ and providing the benefit of improved hearing to even more users.

To assess the feature’s efficacy,² a clinical trial was undertaken by the University of Iowa’s Hearing Aid and Aging Research Laboratory. Their research concluded that Galaxy Buds2 Pro significantly improved speech perception in those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. A similar trial conducted by Samsung Medical Center also found that the Galaxy Buds2 Pro could be an effective tool to help those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss to better communicate in a quiet place.

Bringing New Levels to Audio Customization

With this improved feature, Galaxy Buds2 Pro users can also fine tune their Ambient Sound settings across a variety of needs. Users can adjust the volumes on the left and the right respectively, as well as customize their Ambient Sound tone range from soft to clear across five different stages. Additionally, Ambient Sound can tune to users’ ears through the Adapt Ambient Sound feature, allowing for even more clarity in helping users hear the world around them better.

“We are excited to be introducing the new enhanced accessibility feature of the Galaxy Buds2 Pro to users on Global Accessibility Awareness Day,” said Han-gil Moon, Master and Head of Advanced Audio Lab, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung will continue to work to help each and every user experience the best possible audio anytime, anywhere with their Galaxy Buds2 Pro.”

Availability

The enhanced Ambient Sound feature will be progressively released on Galaxy Buds2 Pro via software updates in the coming weeks.³

¹ Accessed in the Laboratory menu under Earbuds settings in the Galaxy Wearable app.
² Clinical trials by the University of Iowa and Samsung Medical Center were conducted with the Ambient Sound feature at its maximum level (Level 5).
³ Availability may vary by market, carrier and model.

This is in part a reaction to the energy crunch across Europe, increasing the urgency to find an alternative to fossil fuel boilers, as well as government decarbonization targets and a population more and more conscious of their impact on the environment. According to a recent study by the IEA, heat pumps could reduce CO2 emissions by half a billion tons by 2030 as they replace fossil fuel boilers.²

▲ (from left) Samsung EHS Mono HT Quiet Heat Pump and the model installed at a house in Winchester, U.K.

For example, the heating sector accounts for almost one-third of the U.K.’s annual carbon footprint. The U.K. government has laid out a clear decarbonization plan which includes the goal of installing 600,000 heat pumps by 2028.

To support this growth, the sector needs to accelerate progress to shift perceptions towards a low-carbon heating and increase the rate of installations. However, there is currently a shortage of trained technicians to cope with this increase in demand. Recent U.K. government announcements to support heat pump training are a positive sign in an industry growing rapidly month on month, however, more progress is needed. There is an urgent need to create a larger, more diverse workforce. Women, for example, represent just 2% of the heating industry in the U.K.³

Samsung Climate Solutions UK has been working to shine a light on how the women within the Climate Solutions team and beyond are driving forward business growth and industry change. Aimee Holloran recently joined the Samsung Climate Solutions team as Business Development Manager for heat pumps. She began her path with a plumbing apprenticeship, receiving National Vocational Qualifications (Levels 2 and 3) and winning BBC Young Plumber of the Year in 2010. After this, she transitioned into sales development and found her true passion in low-carbon heating.

▲ Aimee Holloran, Business Development Manager at Samsung Climate Solutions UK

When speaking on her experience in the heating industry, Holloran said, “In my time on the tools, I’d often get asked if I could lift a boiler or do what the men on my course or team could. Of course, I can, but a lot of the job is down to technique, not pure strength, and anybody can learn that.”

“It’s a wonderful industry for anyone to get involved in and this isn’t restricted to women,” she continued. “As the renewable and low-carbon industry grows, there are huge growth opportunities for women looking for a purpose in their job. One of my biggest satisfactions is delivering training presentations and sales pitches to convert people to this low-carbon technology.”

Likewise, Leah Robson, the Managing Director of Your Energy Your Way, a not-for-profit renewable and heat pump installation company, has worked with Samsung for over 10 years. Her story is unique, as she originally trained in IT before switching to renewable and low-carbon heating installation after having children, pursuing her desire to make a difference in mitigating climate change. She now works to encourage others, specifically women, to do the same.

▲ Leah Robson, Managing Director at Your Energy Your Way

“I set up Your Energy Your Way in 2018 specifically to bring more women into the industry,” Robson said. “Since then, the business has grown organically, with turnover trebling since its foundation, and increasing demand for our services installing and integrating Heat Pumps, Solar PV, Solar Thermal, Batteries and EV charging.”

“In the last year, our workforce has expanded to seven yet our ability to meet the demand for renewable energy and low-carbon heating solutions is still constrained by its size,” she continued. “As part of this, we are working to establish a female traineeship scheme to support the training and development of the next wave of technicians. It’s a really rewarding job where you work with great, passionate people dedicated to changing the way we heat our homes.”

To navigate the energy crunch across Europe, Samsung is determined to empower women with skills to become technicians in the heat pump industry and support organizations such as Your Energy Your Way.

¹ Global heat pump sales continue double-digit growth
² 5 charts that show the potential of heat pumps
³ Severe lack of diversity identified in heating industry, says Energy Systems Catapult report.

ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions in the U.S.

Each year, the ENERGY STAR program honors a select group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the transition to a clean energy economy. ENERGY STAR award winners lead their industries in the production, sale and adoption of energy-efficient products, homes, buildings, services and strategies. These efforts are essential to fighting the climate crisis, protecting public health and creating a clean energy future for everyone.

“Not only does Samsung’s comprehensive environmental strategy include enterprise-wide net zero and 100% renewable energy goals, but we’re also raising the industry bar even higher on energy efficiency. Samsung is committed to implementing innovative, energy saving technologies in its home appliance, mobile and consumer electronics products — with the goal of lowering power consumption levels by an average of 30 percent by 2030 compared to like products released in 2019,” said Mark Newton, Head of Corporate Sustainability for Samsung Electronics America. “As a long-time ENERGY STAR partner and recipient of the rare Corporate Commitment Award, Samsung is proud to receive these tremendous recognitions from the EPA and DOE. We believe our ENERGY STAR collaboration to be paramount for our company, our customers, and — of course — our planet.”

“As we accelerate historic efforts to address climate change, public-private partnerships will be essential to realizing the scale of our ambition,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I applaud this year’s ENERGY STAR award winners for working with EPA to deliver a clean energy future that saves American consumers and businesses money and creates jobs.”

The Sustained Excellence Award is the highest honor among ENERGY STAR Awards — and EPA presents the award to partners that have earned successive Partner of the Year awards and display continued leadership by demonstrating long-term commitments to climate action through energy efficiency. This marks the tenth year that Samsung has been named an ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence partner in the Product Brand Owner category.

Beyond the efforts we’re making to minimize our environmental footprint, Samsung is empowering our consumers to make a meaningful impact on the environment through everyday changes with our eco-conscious products. In 2022, Samsung had 474 ENERGY STAR certified base models in the U.S., which is an increase compared to 2021. As of 2022, that includes 100% of Samsung dishwashers, notebooks, air purifiers, front-load washers and most of our refrigerators, as well as many of our top-load washers and dryers. Samsung’s investment in America is also tied to ENERGY STAR: all our front load and top load washers from our South Carolina facility are ENERGY STAR certified. Moreover, Samsung is the first major brand to certify many of its new Ultra HD 4K televisions to the latest ENERGY STAR criteria. As of 2022, Samsung global product efficiency improvements, as exemplified by our commitment to ENERGY STAR certified products, have helped our customers avoid an estimated 334 million metric tons of CO2 emissions through the use of our products since 2009 — the equivalent of taking over 71 million cars off the road for a year, nearly three quarters of all passenger cars registered in the U.S.

Moreover, Samsung’s efforts to enrich and expand SmartThings Energy, the first-of-its-kind solution designed to help people better understand and manage their energy use so that they can make smarter, more environmentally conscious decisions about consumption and reduce their carbon footprint, have led the U.S. EPA to award Samsung the industry’s first mass-market Smart Home Energy Management Systems (SHEMS) certification. The certification recognizes smart home appliances and services that manage and automate connected devices to help consumers gain insights into their energy use, thereby inspiring energy-saving behavior, reducing costs and helping to facilitate demand response measures that minimize stress on the grid.

The Sustained Excellence award for Energy Management is bestowed on ENERGY STAR partners that demonstrate year over year excellence in improving the energy performance of commercial buildings through a corporate-wide, portfolio-based energy program. Samsung Electronics America has a diverse portfolio of 45 owned and leased buildings located across the U.S. In addition to varying climates, the many buildings are also home to one or more distinct corporate activities from offices to warehouses and distributions centers to electronic and appliance labs. In 2022, Samsung doubled down on our commitment to ENERGY STAR and continued to retrofit major systems in some of our facilities with ENERGY STAR certified equipment and technologies related to HVAC and lighting controls. These continued investments reduce the impact on the climate by our facility operations and have led to an 8.6% reduction in energy use since 2019.

Another testament to our efforts was demonstrated by doubling the number of ENERGY STAR Tenant Space Recognitions in 2022 from six to twelve. This number ranks second nationally for most recognized Tenant Space properties with Samsung representing 17.39% of the total properties recognized nationally.

Samsung is humbled and honored by these recognitions from the ENERGY STAR program and is committed to advanced energy efficiency in our products and operations as part of our key environmental goals and a shared journey to helping mitigate our consumers’ impact on the planet.

For more information on the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Awards, head to www.energystar.gov/awardwinners. To learn more about Samsung’s commitment to sustainability, visit www.samsung.com/global/sustainability/.

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Updated on March 28, 2023, to provide more detailed information: Recycled PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate), sourced from 10% of discarded PET bottles, has been used in the front case of the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Samsung Electronics has announced that it ranked seventh out of 200 companies in the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA)’s 2023 Digital Inclusion Benchmark.

The WBA represents an alliance forged among more than 200 global, regional and local organizations to shape the private sector’s contributions to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The WBA examines companies with a focus on seven key categories, including human rights, the environment and digital inclusion. The WBA launched its first Digital Inclusion Benchmark in 2020, which evaluated companies’ progress in improving access to technology, enhancing digital skills, fostering trustworthy use and innovating both openly and ethically.

Samsung was recognized, in part, for its ongoing efforts to promote access. The company follows leading practice for supporting accessibility by incorporating accessibility features into its products. Samsung’s latest TVs also include an avatar-based Sign Language Guide¹ that provides sign language-based descriptions of menus for greater accessibility. The company also discloses data on how the economic value it generates is distributed among stakeholders and calculates its sustainable value creation.

Samsung also provides support to various programs that are advancing digital skills at all levels and increasing school connectivity. The company demonstrates best practices by administering its programs through its local offices, often in partnership with local governments and non-governmental organizations. It also reports participation metrics for its programs. The company’s flagship programs, the “Samsung Innovation Campus,” which has provided technological training programs for adolescents and unemployed youth since 2013, and the “Samsung SW Academy for Youth,” a yearlong, Korea-based program that has been providing theoretical and practical training to help youth nurture their capabilities and competitiveness as professional software developers since 2018, offer support in the form of job opportunities in future technology fields.

Samsung has continued its commitment to open innovation by participating in several standards organizations and having open-source projects. The company contributes to the tech innovation ecosystem through its Samsung NEXT and C-Lab Outside programs in Korea, which help foster the startup ecosystem through accelerators and incubators. The company also has an AI ethics council and commits to ethical AI principles.

Samsung is committed to promoting digital responsibility as a company that develops products and technologies that enhance users’ lives. Going forward, the company will continue to explore ways to make it easier for people to access and utilize a wide range of convenient and meaningful digital technologies.

¹ Features provided may vary by model and country.

As a global leader in technology and innovation, Samsung aims to lead by example and advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of all women in the workplace. What’s more, research shows that workplaces that excel in DEI drive better outcomes for businesses, including better employee engagement, talent retention and higher financial achievements.

▲ (From left) Clara Han from Corporate VP/Head of Group/Procurement Group 2 at Samsung Electronics, Megan Detwiler from Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Manavi Pathak from Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore (SRI-B), Adam Eaglefield from Samsung U.K. and Maria Fernanda Gonzalez from Samsung Mexico

In celebration of the global holiday, Samsung Newsroom sat down with employees in Asia, North America, Europe, Southwest Asia and Central and South America to share stories about the company’s DEI culture. Check out the interviews below to learn how Samsung is creating a safe and inclusive workspace for all its employees.

Women Supporting Women Through Open Communication

On top of being the Head of Procurement for Samsung’s Visual Display division, Clara Han is also a working mother of two children in elementary school.

“Although there is now growing movement around men participating in parenthood, women still have difficulty building and continuing their careers uninterrupted due to having children,” said Clara. “As a result, Samsung continuously strives to create a culture where employees can be recognized and grow regardless of gender, nationality or age.”

“We are trying to create an environment where each group member understands and acknowledges the individual differences so that everyone can receive the same opportunities, receive a fair evaluation and perform their best in every situation,” said Clara. “Every voice matters, and having an attitude of listening to everyone positively impacts efficiency and performance at work.”

Megan Detwiler, an engineer at Samsung, became involved with Women in Technology at Samsung (WITS) shortly after she started working at Samsung Austin Semiconductor. Within the program, Megan runs various campaigns to help raise awareness about DEI among employees. While she applauded WITS’ professional development opportunities for women, including industry conferences, classes and monthly meetings, for Megan, the most rewarding part of the program was its sense of community.

“Through WITS, I have been able to connect with people across all aspects of the company, meeting people in technical and non-technical roles, at every level of leadership, from technicians and professionals to vice presidents,” said Megan. “People like that at Samsung, especially in WITS, are invested in ensuring you are set up not just to succeed but truly grow and thrive here.”

“WITS helped me find my voice so that I have not only that confidence but also the courage to amplify other women’s voices as well,” said Megan.

Manavi Pathak, Head of Learning and Organizational Development at Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore (SRI-B), is also an active member of the Samsung Women’s Accelerated Network (SWAN). She highlighted how an inclusive workplace successfully meets the needs of the women who work there, noting how Samsung’s DEI initiatives and culture allow talented women to succeed.

“Women are themselves demanding more from work,” said Manavi. “At Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore, we have women’s leadership development programs, diversity hiring goals, day care policies, special leave, flexible schedules and more, all of which have supported my professional development and well as the careers of other woman colleagues at Samsung Research.”

“The COVID-19 crisis has reimagined the way we work. More and more women want to work for companies prioritizing cultural change and improving workplace flexibility, including employee wellbeing, diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Manavi. “Companies that rise to the moment will attract and retain woman leaders.”

Adam Eaglefield, an Engagement Team Manager at Samsung Electronics U.K., is also a member of the Women @Samsung ERG and its Male Allies team. This association runs mentorship and networking programs to develop female talent. He says that to realize DEI, the most important part is that we must not only listen to women but also break through unconscious prejudices and understand each other’s point of view.

“Allyship is fundamental in any cause or movement,” said Adam. “In this case, male allies can champion women in the business and industry in all interactions, from working to see representation at senior levels to ensuring women are represented and heard in everyday meetings.”

“As an ally, I make sure that I actively listen to women and their experiences, frustrations, passions and desires,” said Adam. “We must learn more about one another’s perspectives, and our own privileges and unconscious biases, and most importantly, come together to act in a positive way.”

Maria Fernanda Gonzalez, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at Samsung Electronics Mexico, is also a member of Women at Samsung (SEM-S). She spoke about why she appreciated working for a company that actively empowers women and embraces equity.

“Samsung has supported me by giving me all the means to grow, not only by providing me with opportunities to grow in leadership roles but also by giving me the tools to go beyond my goals,” said Maria Fernanda. “I can be an empathetic team player that contributes to the development of my other team members.”

“I am confident that with more strong female leaders who can inspire the next generation of women, we will be able to close the gender gap in the tech industry,” said Maria Fernanda.

Lunch Talk & One Table: Gathering Employee Feedback To Improve Women’s Experiences at Work

To create a work environment that anyone can enjoy, Samsung holds annual events and campaigns for employees all over the world to celebrate special DEI days, including International Women’s Day, International Day of People with Disability and World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. For this year’s International Women’s Day, Samsung’s management and female executives will hold a Lunch Talk meeting to discuss ways to improve DEI. Samsung also will have a One Table event hosted by Jong-Hee Han to listen to the concerns faced by female employees, including female developers and working moms, and to discuss ways to foster female leadership.

The ideas discussed at the meetings will then be delivered to the DEI Secretariat and integrated into organization management. The participants and leaders of each organization will discuss how Samsung can make a consistent effort for gender equality and suggest various opinions to management, ranging from employee mindset to systemic improvement for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Global Women’s Week: Celebrating Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Vice Chairman Jong-Hee Han and President and CEO Kye Hyun Kyung deliver a message emphasizing the importance of gender equality and DEI to all employees of the DX Division. Vice Chairman Han underlined the value of diversity, equity and inclusion with his determination to “make an effort to form an organizational culture where all employees from various backgrounds feel that they’re part of the organization.” He emphasized his goal to help employees “fully unleash their potential through equal opportunity.”

▲ Samsung Electronics holds gatherings for female executives and employees around the world , running annual forums and programs for women’s networking and career development.

About 5,000 Samsung worldwide executives and employees worldwide interested in DEI actively participate in Samsung’s 33 ERGs, which offer everything from networking and mentoring to education at ERG. These groups work hard not only to improve the experience of Samsung employees but also to volunteer and give back to the local community. Among them, these large-scale women’s ERGs operate programs for networking and career development of female executives and employees, striving to strengthen women’s capabilities at work.

Every year since 2017, One Family Council has been holding an annual “Pink Box” charity event at Suwon Digital City for young women from low-income families. This year, a “Pink Box” containing DIY keyrings, women’s items and encouraging messages will be delivered to 100 teenagers.

▲ Every year, Samsung Electronics delivers a “Pink Box” containing feminine products for the healthy growth of underprivileged female teenagers.

During the week of International Women’s Day, overseas regional head offices also hold meetings with female employees, DEI webinars with external instructors and panel discussions, in addition to offering vacations for female employees, gift delivery events and more.

Samsung continues to work toward creating a space that goes beyond being just a workplace and fosters employees’ growth by letting them unleash their potential. Samsung’s move toward making an organization where employees and the company can grow together is accelerating the steps toward a better future.

Galaxy of Impact also emphasized the importance for organizations to work together across sectors and build innovative tools and technology that allow communities all over the world to achieve the Global Goals. Leaders from Samsung’s partner organization, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and its youth-led initiative Generation17, a joint project between Samsung and the UNDP launched in 2020 to further progress on the Global Goals, spoke to the power of global corporations to address today’s most pressing environmental and societal issues.

The first panel highlighted how Samsung and the Galaxy S23 series enable every Galaxy user to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.

Samsung technology and sustainability leaders discussed their work toward achieving 2025 and 2030 goals by innovating to design more sustainable products. The new Galaxy S23 series represents these efforts by minimizing Samsung’s environmental footprint while maximizing performance.

Inhee Chung, Vice President of the Corporate Sustainability Center at Samsung Electronics, kicked off the panel by providing an overview of Samsung’s new commitment to its concept of Everyday Sustainability. “It’s the idea that by building sustainability into the product design and user experience, we, and the billions that use our products, can contribute to a healthier, more livable planet,” she stated.

Chung noted, “Everyday Sustainability is grounded in a goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by the end of 2030 for our Device eXperience (DX) Division, and as part of the DX Division, Samsung’s Mobile eXperience (MX) Business is essential in helping us deliver on our commitment.” She added, “MX Business is aiming to achieve its own sustainability goals — incorporate recycled materials in all mobile products, eliminate plastics in packaging, achieve zero standby power consumption for smartphone chargers and achieve zero waste to landfill by 2025.”

Won-Joon Choi, Executive Vice President, Head of Mobile R&D Office, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, focused on how Samsung’s sustainability commitments come to life in the new Galaxy S23 series. “For Samsung, breakthroughs in sustainability can be breakthroughs in performance,” he emphasized. “We aim to create an experience in which you don’t have to sacrifice the things you love to be a more eco-conscious consumer.” He added the Galaxy S23 series was “built with innovation and sustainability without compromise, and it will enable users to make a positive impact while enjoying a great mobile experience.”

Choi explained that, through the Galaxy S23 series, Samsung is “delivering a high-performance device that meets the highest of quality standards while also using more recycled materials than any other Galaxy smartphone to date.” He then pointed out that “Samsung increased the amount of recycled materials from six internal components in the Galaxy S22 Ultra to 12 internal and external components in the Galaxy S23 Ultra.”

He went on to explain that the Galaxy S23 series used more recycled plastics and newly incorporated pre-consumer recycled aluminum and glass.

Choi highlighted all of these efforts are “meaningful steps in the right direction, helping us expand the Galaxy legacy to be more than just innovation for performance. These are innovations designed with the planet and you in mind.”

Mark Newton, Senior Director, Head of Corporate Sustainability at Samsung Electronics America, highlighted that “we’re working diligently to extend the lifecycle of our devices to encourage users to reliably experience the optimized performance of the Galaxy for as long as possible.” He emphasized, “The Galaxy S23 series was built to last longer, optimizing durability with IP68 water resistance and dust proofing. We also provide five years of security updates and four generations of OS upgrades.”

He added, “In the U.S., customers can use our Certified Re-Newed and Trade-In programs to send us their old devices to be refurbished and reused. We also partner with iFixit, the leading online repair community, to empower users to fix their own devices with self-repair kits.” He also touched on how Samsung will continue “expanding efforts to improve resource circularity over the entire product lifecycle.”

Newton also explained that the Galaxy S23 series features redesigned packaging that uses 100% recycled paper for the packaging box and front and back cover protectors.

Each panelist expressed their excitement and hopes for the future of sustainability at Samsung. All agreed that there will be even larger challenges ahead; however, the panelists stressed that by working together, Samsung can make a positive, tangible impact for people and the planet.

The second panel dove deep into Samsung’s partnership with the UNDP and their joint efforts to achieve the Global Goals.

Together, Samsung and the UNDP created the Samsung Global Goals app, which raises funds for UNDP projects and amplifies stories about Generation17, a group of 14 Young Leaders from various countries around the world working toward the Global Goals and inspiring young people to do the same. Leaders from UNDP and Samsung were joined by two Generation17 Young Leaders, who called on the audience to use their voices to accelerate progress for the 2030 Agenda.

Boaz Paldi, Chief Creative Officer at the UNDP, opened the panel by stating, “When it comes to the 17 Global Goals, I cannot stress enough the importance of what is at stake here.” He continued, “To help the world achieve [the Global Goals] by 2030, UNDP plays an essential role in implementing integrated solutions in the communities that are furthest behind. In short, we help communities and governments build the structures and policies that help address these global challenges.”

Paldi also explained the UNDP’s partnership with Samsung to unveil the power behind Samsung’s vast resources and global scale. He noted, “In 2019, we created 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 smartphone. Today, the app is pre-installed on nearly 300 million Galaxy devices worldwide. And thanks to the dedication and passion of the global Galaxy community, we have helped generate over USD10 million towards UNDP’s global programs and initiatives.”

The Samsung Global Goals app’s creator, Sergey Lossev, Senior Director of Project Management at Samsung Electronics, highlighted that he’s always “been passionate about making the world a better place.” In order to accomplish this, his team “decided to create a centralized hub for social impact right on a device that has become an essential part of Galaxy smartphones. The app aims to increase awareness and raise funds for UNDP’s work around the world.”

Two Generation17 Young Leaders sat beside Paldi and Lossev and reiterated how UNDP, Samsung and the Samsung Global Goals app have greatly benefited their platforms.

Tamara Gondo, Generation17 Young Leader (Indonesia), explained that by joining Generation17 and earning recognition from Samsung and UNDP, her B2B social enterprise Liberty Society “has been exposed to more than 10 million people worldwide, opening our doors to connect to partners in Malaysia, London and today, in San Francisco.” Gondo continued, “For organizations like Samsung, UNDP and news media, it’s about using their power and influence to effect change within their spheres of influence.”

Máximo Mazzocco, Generation Young Leader (Argentina), followed by explaining that the Generation17 partnership has helped grow his environmental nonprofit Eco House, “helping us scale from an organization for youth in Argentina to one of the biggest youth-led organizations in the climate movement.” He added that we’ve been “given the chance to change the narrative and make an impact on a global scale,” and we must work across sectors in order to make progress toward achieving the Global Goals.

Harnessing the Power of Galaxy to Offer Sustainable Solutions

Galaxy of Impact highlights the progress that Samsung has made to integrate sustainability into each level of the business. This event also represents Samsung’s challenging journey to achieve its 2025 and 2030 commitments and make progress toward the Global Goals. The path forward will not be easy; however, Samsung leaders are dedicated to collaborating with partners to design solutions that allow each and every Galaxy user to incorporate sustainability into their daily lives.

C-Lab Inside: Metaverse and Lifestyle Projects From Samsung Employees Go on Show

Since 2016, Samsung has been exhibiting its C-Lab Inside projects at CES, and the upcoming projects for 2023 have been highly evaluated in terms of innovation, marketability and completeness among those currently being fostered in-house. And they are as follows:

• Meta-Running, a metaverse platform to learn proper running form
• Polkamix, a metaverse platform that provides an interactive concert experience
• Soom, a new meditation experience with real-time feedback
• Falette, a 3D digital transformation for home fabric products

C-Lab Outside: Startups Showcasing Robots, AI and More To Receive CES Spotlight

Created in October 2018, C-Lab Outside is a startup acceleration program launched to invigorate the startup ecosystem in Korea. Startups enrolled in the C-Lab Outside program are provided with office workspaces, expert mentoring from Samsung employees and digital marketing & financial consulting. Additional support includes potential partnerships with Samsung Electronics and opportunities to participate in influential IT exhibitions such as CES and KES (Korea Electronics Show).

For the past year, Samsung, the Daegu Center and the Gyeong-buk Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, which are parts of C-Lab Outside, have been incubating these startups to develop their technology and be ready to meet the world at CES 2023. The eight chosen startups are:

• NdotLight, a web-based 3D design solution
• NEUBILITY, an urban delivery service through self-driving robots
• 40FY, a digital mental health care app service from examination to treatment,
• CELLICO, a micro-bionic eye for patients with retinal disease
• Plask, an AI and browser-based motion capture and animation editing tool
• Wrtn Technologies, writing training and content creation services using Generative AI
• Catius, a multi-turn conversational AI companion for children
• Erangtek, an IoT micro repeater for home users to improve call quality

C-Lab Startups Bring Record-Breaking 29 Wins of the CES 2023 Innovation Awards

In November 2022, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) announced the winners of the CES 2023 Innovation Awards across 28 product categories, including Best of Innovation. Projects from the C-Lab startups received two Best of Innovation Awards, and 27 were named Innovation Awards Honorees. As a result, C-Lab took home 22 Innovation Awards in 2022 and seven more in 2023 for their standout technologies.

Samsung Electronics is sharing its knowledge of how to win the CES Innovation Award and enter the global market.

“It is a great pleasure to see that C-Lab startups have proven their technological prowess on the global stage, as evidenced by the most Innovation Awards ever at CES,” said Hark Kyu Park, President and Chief Financial Officer at Samsung Electronics. “We hope that C-Lab startups will be able to more actively target the global market and show the excellence of Korean startups.”

Notably, Dot Inc., which develops devices and software for the visually impaired, was named a CES 2023 Best of Innovation Award winner in the Accessibility category and also named two CES Innovation Awards Honorees. Verses, which developed the Meta Music System for streaming, was named a CES 2023 Best of Innovation Award winner in the Streaming category.

Seven of the eight startups to exhibit in the C-Lab booth — NEUBILITY, 40FY, NdotLight, CELLICO, Plask, Catius, Wrtn Technologies — won Innovation Awards.

Additionally, seven spun-off startups from C-Lab Inside and 11 former C-Lab Outside startups won two Best of Innovation Awards and 20 Innovation Awards.

Samsung Has Achieved Its Goal of Nurturing 500 Startups and Projects Over Five Years

In 2018, Samsung Electronics announced that it would accelerate 300 Korean startups through C-Lab Outside and 200 projects through C-Lab Inside over a five-year period. The company has nurtured a total of 506 startups and projects (304 from C-Lab Outside and 202 from C-Lab Inside) so far.

Samsung recently established C-Lab Family, a unique professional network through which alumni startups can continue to co-operate with Samsung even after graduating from C-Lab Outside or spun-off from C-Lab. It also created C-Lab Scale-Up Committee and plans to gradually expand partnerships and investments for C-Lab Family in the future.

¹ Starting in December 2012, Samsung C-Lab Inside was established to encourage Samsung employees to discover new ideas and foster a culture of creativity. Those that have proven marketability will either transfer to an in-house division of Samsung or become spin-off projects the company supports.

The #YouMakeItHappen campaign was recently launched to pay tribute to the in India who helped Samsung become a preferred choice among buyers across the country. To kickstart this campaign, Samsung posted the first video of the series, “Samsung partners, take a bow!” on YouTube, which is gaining significant attention from viewers.

Highlighting the unique stories of entrepreneurs across Chinchwad, Mumbai, Shimla, Aizawl and Jaipur, this video documents their journeys with Samsung and how they demonstrated passion, hard work and courage to achieve their dreams.

“Technology was one thing that always fascinated me,” said Vipul Sharma of S.S. Associates in Jaipur. “Samsung is the brand through which I could explore my business skills alongside technology.”

Check out the video below to experience the journeys of Samsung’s partners and learn how they are changing the game.

Samsung Electronics has announced its new environmental strategy, a comprehensive effort to join the global movement to tackle climate change. At the heart of the new commitment is achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 by using innovative technologies to implement sustainability throughout its production process, product lifecycle and more — enabling a greener future for all.

In line with this vision, ESG — or environmental, social and corporate governance — is much more than a buzzword at Samsung Electronics, and we believe that having a positive impact on the planet starts with our employees. That’s why we’re highlighting Samsung workers around the world who are leading the way in cultivating a culture of sustainability and social responsibility. We’re breaking down the ins and outs of ESG throughout Samsung and answering your questions on how we’re building a better tomorrow for all.

Next in our new series on how Samsung employees worldwide are building a more sustainable future, we have two women blazing the trail, Francesca Falco and Paula Byrne from the Samsung European Public Affairs Office.

A Day in the Lives of ESG Influencers

There’s more to Brussels than chocolate and waffles. Located in Belgium, Brussels is known for being the unofficial capital of the E.U. due to its long history of hosting several principal E.U. institutions, including the European Commission, Council of the European Union, European Council and European Parliament. Since ESG is subject to increasingly heavy European legislation, the Samsung European Public Affairs office based in Brussels is integral to driving the ESG movement across the company and the continent.

Francesca and Paula work together for Samsung in the Brussels European Public Affairs office, reinforcing Samsung’s ESG strategy. “Our office is in charge of government relations with E.U. institutions,” said Francesca. “This includes building and maintaining strong relationships with the E.U., international organizations and other stakeholders in the areas of sustainability and corporate citizenship.”

The pair monitor and offer guidance on sustainability and corporate responsibility across not only the entire product lifecycle but also Samsung’s corporate activities. From publishing regular reports on environmental impact to collaborating with executives to ensure company-wide transparency and creating an overreaching strategy for Europe, these two women unite people and policy to spearhead a sustainable movement across the entirety of Samsung.

So what’s a day in the life like for these ESG experts?

Francesca and Paula go to work by bicycle. For them, sustainability isn’t just a job — it’s a lifestyle. Fortunately, the Samsung office in Brussels makes living green easy for employees. As the office is located in a walkable neighborhood that is well-served by public transport and easily reached by bike, many employees opt for more green ways to commute. This not only reduces their footprint but also earns them some healthy daily exercise.

Once they’re in the office, Francesca and Paula always greet each other before they start their day. Their daily schedules vary widely — ESG is a broad domain, so their agendas are never quite the same.

“One moment I’m organizing an event for students, the next, I’m reading the European Commission’s latest regulation on eco-design, and a moment later, I’m meeting with other companies to discuss energy efficiency,” said Francesca. “I cover a wide range of topics and tasks, so it never gets boring.”

Building Out a More Sustainable Supply Chain

Above all, Paula believes in the power of partnership — which she brings daily to her role as an Environmental Social Governance Expert for Samsung European Public Affairs.

Paula has been most passionate about her work advising suppliers and customers on safety, health, well-being, good labor practices, human rights and the environment, which has already seen fruitful results. As a global company, Samsung’s supply chain has an enormous reach and footprint. By working with the men and women shaping the future of ESG standards in Europe and around the world, Paula too hopes to shape the future of ESG at Samsung.

Samsung has adopted a thorough and transparent evaluation process and criteria for its new suppliers. “Samsung’s Eco-Partner evaluation system ensures that all materials used for Samsung products do not contain harmful chemicals or materials,” explained Paula. “Through this program, Samsung requests that all partner companies meet environmental criteria and evaluate themselves regularly.”

Samsung strives to build strategic partnerships with the best-performing suppliers based on mutual trust and offers its suppliers a variety of programs to support funding, education and innovation.

According to Paula, these partnerships are a perfect win-win for Samsung and its customers to create sustainable value. She plans to achieve greater results by sharing skills and knowledge, building both Samsung and her clients’ reputations as sustainable companies.

Helping Students Stay Safe, Responsible and Healthy Online

As a Senior Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Expert at Samsung European Public Affairs, Francesca has an interest in managing the company’s Corporate Citizenship activities in Europe, focusing on education and digital well-being.

Working on such a large scale is certainly impressive, but the personal impact Francesca has on people’s daily lives is what excites her the most. One stand-out example was Samsung’s activities promoting online safety among young people, parents and teachers, which was also Francesca’s first project at the company.

“Every year, Samsung sells millions of technological products which could end up in the hands of young consumers,” said Francesca. “I am proud that as a responsible business, in many European countries, we help create awareness and provide the technical tools minors, parents and caretakers need to use our connected devices safely.”

When it comes to Samsung’s approach to online safety, Francesca explained that we must prepare people with digital skills, provide knowledge and tools to use technology thoughtfully and safely and protect users from harmful content or behavior. As part of Samsung’s Better Internet for Kids Youth Pledge, Francesca mobilized several European subsidiaries to work together and organize workshops to involve youth in Samsung’s discussions on age-appropriate design and online safety features.

Francesca even had the chance to present Samsung’s efforts at the 2020 Safer Internet Forum and later, to European institutions and stakeholders — demonstrating the wide reach of her efforts.

“This type of activity, which goes beyond legal compliance, shows that Samsung is putting in genuine efforts to make a better future,” said Francesca. “Now that Samsung has announced its new environmental strategy, we look forward to supporting our headquarters’ climate and circular economy efforts with regional initiatives.”

Growing a Green Company Culture

Francesca and Paula strive to be eco-conscious whether they’re at home or in the office. For instance, both Francesca and Paula try to promote more sustainable choices as part of their office culture, such as reducing paper and plastic use and organizing recycling more efficiently.

Their entire office even got on board, installing a water filtration system for drinking water — in doing so, eliminating the use of plastic bottles — and replacing the coffee capsule machine with a bean-to-cup coffee machine.

After all, when it comes to making changes that protect the planet, Francesca believes it all comes down to mindset.

“The main obstacle to real change is the feeling that individual choices have no or limited impact. This is far from true,” said Francesca. “Our choice of how we get to work, what we eat, how we hold meetings and how many business trips we take can inspire those around us and create a wave of change.”

“We have one planet, and the mistreatment of it affects us all,” added Paula. “It is important to drive employees and consumers to make better choices for the environment. Environmental harm is closely connected to people, our work, our health and the general well-being and stability in our communities.”

Green Is Gold

Over the years, sustainability has gone from a “good to have” to a “must have.” From an individual to a company-wide level, there is a much bigger awareness of the need for ESG in business. This passion starts from its employees and drives positive change at Samsung at all levels: from design and manufacturing to sales and communication.

“It is crucial that my employer is a responsible corporate citizen because I want to work for a company that shares my values and matches my lifestyle choices,” said Francesca. “I love using my knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the world, and I take great pride in knowing that with Samsung, I contributed to the launch and deployment of environmental and educational activities.”

“Technology can really be used for the good of the planet, profit and people,” added Paula. “Working for a company that considers the care of our planet as a key target is smart and can remain in business for future generations.

Companies have an important role in protecting the ecosystem and preserving natural resources for future generations. At Samsung, we strive to be the most socially responsible workplace we can be and to integrate sustainability into daily life for our employees.

At this year’s event, competitors competed for world recognization across 61 skills, including Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Mechatronics, Mobile Robotics and Optoelectronic Technology. In South Korea, the eight skill competitions took place at KINTEX, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, from October 12 – 17.

Fifty-one competitors represented South Korea across 46 skills — and 22 among them are representatives from Samsung Electronics, Samsung Electro-Mechanics and Samsung Heavy Industries. They competed in 17 skills as representatives for their country and company.

A History of WorldSkills Competition and Its Impact

▲ The WorldSkills Competition 2022, a competition featuring skilled technicians from around the world, was held from October 12 – 17 at KINTEX, Goyang. 133 competitors from 35 countries participated in a total of eight skills, including Information Technology (IT) and plastic die engineering.

The WorldSkills Competition began in 1950 as a place to share the latest technologies, exchange information and build relationships amongst the world’s skilled young talents. In pursuit of these goals, the WorldSkills Competition was held periodically in member countries to research, develop and further advance new training methods and vocational training systems amidst a rapidly changing industry.

As this industry evolves, so too does the WorldSkills Competition. Compared to 2007, 14 new skills have been added in the areas of advanced IT and convergence technology, such as Cloud Computing, Mobile Applications Development and Cyber Security. The number of member countries has also increased from 49 in 2007 to 85 in 2022.

How Samsung Sponsors the Next Generation of Innovators

At the heart of Samsung’s business philosophy is an emphasis on technology, an idea that manufacturing and skilled talents are the foundation of driving future growth. In line with this vision, Samsung has been cultivating countless talented young professionals by sponsoring the WorldSkills Competitions and the Korea National Skills Competitions for 16 years.

In December 2006, Samsung Electronics signed the Skills Promotion Agreement with the Ministry of Labor. Samsung has also been sponsoring the National Skills Competition and Team Korea for WorldSkills Competitions since 2007. Moreover, of all the skilled specialists that have competed in the National Skills Competition, Samsung has hired approximately 100 of them each year since 2007. The young professionals hired by Samsung have competed in the WorldSkills Competition as national representatives and won a total of 28 gold medals, 16 silver medals and 8 bronze medals so far.

Samsung Electronics decided to sponsor the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition with a contribution of 1.5 million euros in recognition of all the competitors who trained during the pandemic, which caused the competition to be postponed by a year. This year is especially significant for Samsung as Heedong Lee, an employee from Samsung’s Mobile eXperience Business Division will join the competition as the WorldSkills Ambassador and Asia-Pacific representative for the WorldSkills Champions Trust. Lee previously won the gold medal in CNC Milling at the WorldSkills São Paolo 2015.

The Spotlight on National Representative Donggeun Lee

Donggeun Lee (age 24), the silver medalist of IT Network Systems Administrations at the Korea National Skills Competition in 2015, competed in Cloud Computing at this WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition. After joining Samsung, Lee trained as the national representative candidate in IT Network Systems Administration for the WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017. In 2020, he achieved his dream of joining Team Korea and competing in the WorldSkills Shanghai 2021. However, the competition was delayed by a year due to the pandemic. With one more year of preparation under his belt, Lee will now compete in the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition.

“I’m mesmerized by cloud computing as it is the ultimate integration of advanced technologies with an infinite scope of application,” said Lee. Surprisingly, he had no information about the skill competition when he first entered Yangyoung Digital High School. He learned about the WorldSkills Competition through his teacher, and ever since, he began to receive training to try and win the gold medal at the WorldSkills Competition. “The WorldSkills Competition has been my dream for a long time,” said Lee. “I’ve been doing my best to achieve this dream, and now I’m ready to face it head-on.”

While preparing for this year’s competition, Lee emphasized that staying up-to-date on the latest trends was very important. “I’d like to become the person who not only shows interest in the latest trends but also creates and leads them,” said Lee, regarding his career after this competition.

WorldSkills Champions Unleash Their Full Potential at Samsung

Samsung has a history of fostering WorldSkills Champions, frequently hiring skilled young professionals from the National Skills Competitions in Korea. Read more about the stories of Samsung employees who went above and beyond their achievements at the WorldSkills Competition and are now unleashing their skills in their fields.

In order to support the younger generations and their goals, Samsung Electronics launched its Solve for Tomorrow program in 2010, a program helping young people utilize STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) related skills to solve societal problems. The program began in the U.S. and has since expanded to 50 countries, with a total of 2 million students having participated.

Deniz Hatiboglu, Solve for Tomorrow program manager at Samsung Electronics America, paid a visit to Princeton High School in New Jersey, to commemorate the program’s 13th anniversary. As one of the winning teams in the 2021-2022 contest for their innovative food waste disposal project using insects, the team has continued to refine their ideas a year later.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Solve for Tomorrow program and the youth contributing to sustainable solutions.

Starting this year, Samsung will accelerate its push towards creating a sustainable future. In addition, Samsung will maximize resource circulation and develop technologies to aid in reducing pollution and emissions, bringing the vision of a cleaner, more sustainable future closer to fruition.

To learn more about Samsung’s efforts to create a sustainable planet for future generations, check out the infographic below.

Samsung Electronics today announced its new environmental strategy, a comprehensive effort to join global efforts to tackle climate change. It includes commitments to achieve enterprise-wide net zero carbon emissions and plans to use more renewable energy, as well as to invest in and research new technologies to develop energy-efficient products, increase water reuse and develop carbon capture technology.

At the heart of the new commitment is achieving net zero carbon emissions (Scope 1 & Scope 2) for all operations in the Device eXperience (DX) Division by 2030, and across all global operations, including the Device Solutions (DS) Division, by 2050. The DX Division encompasses the company’s consumer electronics businesses, including Mobile eXperience, Visual Display, Digital Appliances, Networks and Health & Medical Equipment, while the DS Division includes the Memory, System LSI and Foundry businesses.

Samsung Electronics has also joined RE100, a global initiative dedicated to pursuing 100 percent renewable energy. As part of this commitment, the company plans to match electric power needs of all international markets where it operates, outside of Korea, with renewable energy within five years.

The new plan builds on Samsung Electronics’ existing climate efforts, significantly expanding the scope of its programs and investments. Samsung will develop new technologies and implement further sustainable practices to enable a brighter future for all.

“The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time. The consequences of inaction are unimaginable and require the contribution of every one of us, including businesses and governments,” said Jong-Hee Han, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is responding to the threats of climate change with a comprehensive plan that includes reducing emissions, new sustainability practices and the development of innovative technologies and products that are better for our planet.”

Samsung Electronics’ environmental commitment also encompasses an enterprise-wide effort to enhance resource circularity throughout the entire product lifecycle, from raw material sourcing to recycling and disposal. The plan also details investments in new technologies to reduce emissions from process gases as well as to reduce power consumption in consumer products. The company also plans to explore carbon capture and utilization technologies and tackle harmful airborne particulate matter.

In recognition of the need for innovative approaches around environmental sustainability, Samsung Electronics will invest over KRW 7 trillion in its environmental initiatives by 2030, including reducing process gases, conserving water, expanding electronic waste collection and reducing pollutants. The investment figure excludes costs related to expansion of renewable energy use.

Net Zero Direct and Indirect Carbon Emissions by 2050

Samsung Electronics plans to achieve net zero direct and indirect carbon emissions by 2050, with the DX Division achieving its goal by 2030. By reaching net zero direct and indirect carbon emissions, Samsung Electronics expects to reduce the equivalent of about 17 million tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e) emissions based on 2021 figures.

To propel these efforts, Samsung Electronics will invest heavily in innovative technologies for treatment facilities that reduce carbon emissions. The company plans to develop new technologies to significantly reduce process gases — a byproduct of semiconductor manufacturing — and install treatment facilities on its semiconductor manufacturing lines by 2030. Samsung Electronics will continue to expand waste heat utilization facilities and consider introducing electric heat sources to reduce LNG boiler usage.

Samsung Electronics has joined RE100, in a collaborative effort to reduce indirect carbon emissions from power consumption, and aims to match electric power needs with renewable energy by 2050 for all operations globally. As part of this initiative, Samsung Electronics plans to run all operations outside of Korea as well as the DX Division on renewable energy within five years. The company’s renewable energy sourcing methods will include, but not limited to, signing power purchase agreements (PPA), purchasing renewable energy certificates and participating in green pricing programs.

The goal for matching electricity use with renewable energy is 2022 for Southwest Asia and Vietnam; 2025 for Central and Latin America; and 2027 for Southeast Asia, CIS and Africa. In the U.S., China and Europe, which have already matched electric power use with renewable energy, Samsung Electronics plans to move towards expanding renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPA).

RE100 cites Korea, where many of Samsung Electronics’ production facilities are based, as one of the most challenging countries to source renewable energy. This is in part due to the country’s renewable energy market, where procurement options for corporations have begun to expand but remain limited. Additionally, the electric power needs of semiconductor manufacturing facilities have continued to increase with the expansion of Samsung Electronics’ production capacity to meet global demand. However, the company will aim to achieve renewable energy use more proactively, acknowledging the urgency of today’s climate challenges. The company will also strengthen cooperation with different stakeholders, including peers in the technology industry, international organizations and NGOs.

Ultra-Low Power Products and Resource Circularity

Part of Samsung Electronics’ pledge for a healthier planet includes ensuring its products are energy-efficient and use less electricity, while also ensuring that the entire product lifecycle is more sustainable, from raw material sourcing to disposal and recycling.

Ultra-Low Power Semiconductors and Energy-Efficient Electronics Products

Samsung Electronics plans to tap new low-power technologies to reduce energy consumption in every day consumer electronics. This includes development of new ultra-low power memory chips that aim to significantly reduce the annual power consumption of memory products used in data centers and mobile devices by 2025 compared to current products.

The company will also implement low-power technologies in major models of seven consumer electronics products — smartphones, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, TVs, monitors and PCs — with the goal of lowering power consumption levels by an average of 30 percent in 2030 compared to products with the same specifications in 2019.

Going forward, Samsung Electronics will set mid-to long-term reduction targets for value chain emissions (Scope 3). Samsung Electronics will also focus on new approaches to reduce emissions in areas such as supply chains, logistics and resource circularity, as well as supporting suppliers in setting their emissions targets and reduction efforts.

Maximizing Resource Circularity Across the Entire Product Lifecycle

Samsung Electronics will double down on efforts to improve the resource circularity of electronics over the entire lifecycle of a product, from raw material sourcing to disposal and recycling, ensuring that every resource is used with as little impact on the environment as possible.

This all starts with reassessing the use of natural resources in product development. Samsung Electronics has created a new Circular Economy Lab to conduct comprehensive research on material recycling technologies and resource extraction processes from waste with the aim of applying these technologies to maximize resource circularity. In addition, Samsung Electronics plans to establish a system by 2030 in which minerals extracted from all collected waste batteries can be reused.

Also by 2030, the company aims to have 50 percent of the plastic used in its products incorporate recycled resin. The year 2050 will see this figure increase to 100 percent. The Galaxy Z Fold4 has already been designed to incorporate plastics recycled from discarded fishing nets and the success seen here will soon be expanded to additional products.

To address sustainability after product use, Samsung Electronics plans to expand the scope of its electronic waste collection system from approximately 50 countries to about 180 countries by 2030. Through this, the company plans to collect a cumulative 10 million tons of electronic waste between 2009 and 2030, the highest target in the industry and a cumulative 25 million tons by 2050. Samsung Electronics will also actively promote an upcycling program that collects used smartphones and reuses them for other purposes such as IoT (Internet of Things) devices.

Water Conservation and Pollutant Treatment Measures

Samsung Electronics also plans to maximize water resource efficiency. As domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity expands, the daily water withdrawal needs from Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor operations in Korea are projected to double from current levels by 2030. However, the company is committing to maximizing water reuse, therefore keeping actual water withdrawals to 2021 levels.

For the DX Division, the company plans to promote water reuse by improving its water treatment facilities and to restore the same amount of water as it consumes by 2030 through water restoration projects such as water quality improvement and stream restoration.

Simultaneously, the DS Division aims to apply new technologies that remove air and water pollutants emitted during the semiconductor manufacturing process and treat them before being discharged to ensure that they have almost no additional impact on the environment from 2040.

Company-wide, Samsung Electronics plans to obtain a platinum-level Zero Waste to Landfill Certification issued by global safety certification organization Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for all global operations by 2025.

Invest in and Develop Innovative Technologies for a Sustainable Future

Samsung Electronics intends to apply the company’s leading technology in addressing global climate challenges. In particular, the company will focus on developing carbon capture and utilization technologies to reduce carbon emissions and clean air technologies to reduce particulate matter, which has become a pressing global environmental challenge.

The Carbon Capture Research Institute was established within the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) in September 2021, the first of its kind in the semiconductor industry. The key mission of the Institute is to develop and commercialize carbon capture and utilization technologies that make it possible to store carbon discharged from semiconductor industrial sites and turn it into a usable resource. The technologies developed by the Institute will first be applied to semiconductor production lines after 2030 and then to other parts of the company as well as its suppliers.

The company will also develop clean air technologies, including new filtration systems, to reduce particulate matter and plans to expand usage to local communities from 2030.

Additionally, Samsung Electronics plans to identify and invest in startups that support innovative green technologies. The company is also committed to fostering ideas and supporting projects that tackle climate change through its C-Lab, the in-house venture incubation and external start-up acceleration program.

Accountability and Tracking Progress

To ensure accountability, Samsung Electronics will have its efforts objectively verified by designated organizations. Its performance will be assessed via participation in the Samsung Institute of EHS Strategy’s certification system and verified by a Carbon Reduction Verification Committee that includes third-party experts.

The company has developed implementation roadmaps for each environmental goal, including the net zero and circular economy targets, and will track progress and ensure robust implementation through the Sustainability Council, chaired by the CEO, and the Sustainability Committee, consisting of outside directors.

With its global corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, Samsung Electronics empowers, engages and stimulates the imaginations of the young people striving to become the problem solvers of tomorrow. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow provides education opportunities and solutions implementation based on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), meanwhile, helps design and nurture innovation capabilities in young people by training them in core information & communications technology (ICT) skills.

The programs have expanded to 33 countries around the world and have included 2.1 million talented participants so far. Today, the Samsung Newsroom is taking a closer look at these different global initiatives to see how Samsung Electronics is fulfilling its corporate social responsibilities across the world and to celebrate the young people participating in International Youth Day.

▲ Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People is Samsung Electronics’ vision for empowering tomorrow’s thinkers and leaders.

Malaysia: Innovating Plastic Alternatives for a Healthier Ocean

In Malaysia, three students learned how ocean pollution from plastic waste threatens the lives of coastal and marine species. They conducted a study to develop plastic alternatives using one of the most easily accessible materials in a country with a long coastline: seaweed. After joining Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, the students learned that STEM is a critical tool in approaching problems and realizing their solutions to them. Building on what they learned throughout the program, they are continuing their study on reducing marine pollution with the hope of contributing to a sustainable future.

Germany: Cutting-Edge Technology Paving the Way for Tomorrow’s Start-ups

Nada Seada, who participated in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow in Germany, designed a new gadget called Ingrid which gives older people more opportunities to connect with others and each other. Exacerbated by the pandemic Loneliness and social isolation are serious problems for our aging society. Ingrid was devised by upcycling an old VR device.

“Samsung Solve for Tomorrow helped me to grow my ideas from seed to fruit and provided me with opportunities to get valuable feedback from mentors and friends,” said Nada.

Katharina Porenta Elisabeth Scholz developed something called an EP-Checkup, which facilitates communication between healthcare professionals and the families of patients. Katharina’s invention was motivated by an experience she had when her grandfather was hospitalized with heart disease. She recalled the anxious hours she spent waiting for updates on his condition. Drawing on this nervousness — and hoping other people might be able to avoid it in the future — was what inspired her efforts.

“I participated in bootcamps, coaching sessions and seminars, and was lucky enough to learn cutting-edge technologies from expert mentors. Now I want to make my own start-up,” she said.

Peru: Innovating for the Benefit of Communities in Different Regions

In Peru, the top Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2021 prize went to a team that developed an insulated thermal box that could heat water using solar energy. The thermal box heats water then keeps it warm, which is useful in the cool regions where the yearly average temperature ranges from 5 to 15°C. The young innovators’ hope was that the box might be produced by combining traditional Peruvian organic methods with modern scientific approaches and that their invention might serve regions all over Peru.

Brazil: New Methodologies for the Purification of Water

The Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology, located in the northeastern area of Brazil, is an excellent model of how STEM-based approaches can prove invaluable in public education. A team from this institution committed itself to developing a water purifying system using solar radiation and, thanks to both the social utility and the sheer originality of the idea, the team won second prize at the 8^th Brazil Samsung Solve for Tomorrow.

“STEM is a very effective way to explore technologies that students are not given as much exposure to in the conventional education system,” said Mr. Raymond Lima Júnior, the team’s coach and chemistry teacher. “The program has the capacity to bring positive changes to public institutional education by showing the communities it is involved with the important values it holds.”

Canada: Environmental Innovation Unlocked Through Unexpected Materials

Students from Mount Allison University won the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow challenge hosted by Samsung Canada. The team tried to address the orange peel waste problem in their university’s local area. Over the course of Project Enviroot, as they called it, the students developed an environmentally-conscious, non-toxic alternative adhesive product made using orange peels dried in Samsung ovens. The adhesive alternative is now widely used in soft boards across the campus.

“It was such a meaningful opportunity to interact with other student environmentalists and community activists,” the young environmental enthusiasts said.

Indonesia: Harnessing Technology To Help the Visually Impaired

The SIC held in Indonesia was not exclusive to students majoring in STEM.

“I am not a programming major, so SIC was a great challenge for me,” said a student who learned how to develop independent IT solutions at SIC.

This student developed something they called Eyeroom solutions. This technology — implemented through theories picked up during the bootcamp – enables the elderly and the visually impaired to distinguish between their prescription drugs.

“I learned so many things from my mentors and friends at SIC. I studied things that I had never encountered before and now my dream is to someday develop solutions to achieve a better future.”

Armenia: Climbing the Programming Ladder

SIC Armenia delivered lectures to students from all around Armenia at United World College (UWC) Dilijan, one of 18 such colleges worldwide. The SIC program included lessons in ICT skills and capacity building classes for students searching for jobs.

“After taking classes at SIC, I am determined to begin my career in the programming sector,” said Narek, an undergraduate student who participated in the program. “I hope I will be able to contribute to the future of our country by designing drone software or artificial intelligence negotiation systems for the industry. SIC is an excellent opportunity for both improving your technical ability and sampling a variety of new classes and practices.”

Korea: Samsung Smart Schools Helping Dreams Come True

A school of only 50 students in Chungyang, Korea, makes up for its small size in its digital capabilities: Samsung Smart School is an active tool for the school in providing digital classrooms. Teachers and parents of Chungsong Elementary School have long been thinking of ways to maximize the potential of the children and minimize the educational gap between urban and rural districts. Together they found the answer to this important yet complex question with Samsung Smart School.

“I got interested in rockets and how they work when I happened to see them in action on my tablet PC,” said Myung-Gu Kang, a 6^th grader from Chungsong Elementary School. “Now I am interested in other areas of science too and I study these other subjects diligently,” Myung-Gu explained that he can search for information using the tablet PC any time he runs into a question, and that the bigger display size of Samsung Flip makes study more fun and enjoyable than ever.

India: Samsung Smart Schools Closing the Gap in Marginalized Communities

Since January this year, Samsung India has been supporting 10 schools with Samsung Smart School, which provides state-of-the-art educational environments utilizing digital devices and technologies. Aarohi Kumari, a student from one of these 10 schools — Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya — dreams of becoming a doctor. Aarohi’s father makes living as a driver in Varanasi.

“My background gives me no advantages over the other students, but my father always gives me hope,” Aarohi said. “Samsung Smart School let me experience digital education and helped my studying of my favorite subject become more enjoyable. I hope to qualify as a doctor in the future and make my father proud.”

“I was delighted to see scenes of young people unleashing their full potential through this cutting-edge educational environment,” said Shilaja Pathania, who is in charge of Samsung India’s CSR activities. “We intend to create more educational opportunities for young people who have been marginalized in education and care, so that they can acquire knowledge and cultivate the skills they need to become the next generation of leaders.”

▲ Samsung Electronics regional offices are spreading their efforts in CSR to young people around the world.

Samsung Electronics’ Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People vision is committed to providing education to young people around the world to empower the leaders of tomorrow. More stories on Samsung Electronics’ CSR efforts are available at Samsung Electronics’ CSR webpage (csr.samsung.com).

Last year, Samsung Electronics committed to being the headline supporter of WorldSkills Shanghai 2022, which was cancelled in May due to the pandemic. In June, WorldSkills International announced that the Special Edition of the 46th WorldSkills Competition would take place around the world, ensuring the continuation of the over 70-year tradition of hosting international skills competitions.

“WorldSkills is grateful to have tremendous support from Samsung Electronics for WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition,” said Chris Humphries, President of WorldSkills International. “As the WorldSkills community pulls together in new ways, Samsung Electronics’ partnership ensures that we can recognize the achievements of the world’s top skilled talent and enhance our ongoing work to advance global skills development and excellence.”

The unique event will encompass 61 international skill competitions, which will take place across Europe, North America, and East Asia from September to November of this year. Over 1,000 competitors from 56 countries and regions are expected to participate.

“Samsung Electronics decided to support WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition, since we fully understand how important the WorldSkills Competition is for young competitors, who have trained hard for years during the pandemic, and we recognize that it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them,” said Dr. Woosup Han, Secretary General of Samsung Skills and VP of Samsung Electronics. “I firmly believe that we, the WorldSkills family, will overcome the challenges and in return make this special competition successful.”

Samsung Electronics is a Global Premium Partner of WorldSkills. This partnership has been ongoing since 2007 and supports both organizations’ goals to empower future generations to achieve their full potential and pioneer positive social changes.

For more information on WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition, please visit worldskills2022se.com.

Outlining the performance of the company’s sustainability activities in 2021, this report includes major activities under its five sustainability pillars — Environment, Our Employees, Sustainable Supply Chain, Empowering Communities and Digital Responsibility. In particular, it highlights the following significant outcomes: stronger sustainability governance within the Board of Directors, expanded sustainability activities in the business units, joining the UN Global Compact and the placing of the Sustainability Council under the direct supervision of the CEO in 2022.

During 2021, Samsung Electronics put sustainability first while managing its business interests and significantly strengthened its sustainability governance to ensure this principle continues to be applied to all parts of its organization. To strengthen the Board of Directors’ supervision of sustainable activities in 2021, the Governance Committee, which had formerly been under the remit of the Board of Directors, was expanded to the Sustainability Committee in July 2021. The Sustainability Council, an executive-level consultative body, was placed under the leadership of the CEO earlier in 2022.

Samsung Electronics is making efforts to offer sustainable products to its customers. As part of these efforts, it has rolled out eco-conscious innovations including smartphones and monitors that incorporate materials recycled from discarded fishing nets and ocean-bound plastics and new, low-power semiconductors. It has also developed AI-based SmartThings Energy, a service that helps conserve energy by using a power saving mode that smart home appliances come equipped with, and SolarCell Remote Controls, which can be charged by sunlight or indoor lighting.

In addition, the company increased its renewable energy use by 31%, compared to 2020, by continuously expanding the use of renewable energy across its business premises worldwide. It also plans to achieve 100% renewable energy in its business premises in Latin America and Southwest Asia by 2025, a goal which has already been reached in the U.S., Europe and China.

The company is also expanding its cooperation with its stakeholders in relation to sustainability. In March 2022, the company joined the UN Global Compact, a specialized organization under the United Nations that was established in 2000 with the aim of promoting the sustainable growth of companies and society at large. It is also developing a washing machine that reduces the impact of microplastics in collaboration with Patagonia.

Finally, Samsung Electronics is carrying out numerous Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities that focus on education with the aim of fostering the technological capabilities of future generations, Creative Lab (C-Lab) projects that contribute to the vitality and diversity of the Korean startup ecosystem and the Future Technology Cultivation Initiative, which supports creative and innovative Research & Development (R&D) in the areas of basic science, novel materials and information and communications technology (ICT). One example of particular note is a team led by professors at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) supported by the Future Technology Cultivation Initiative. The team’s achievements were published in Nature.

The full text of the 2022 Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report can be downloaded here.

For more stories about Samsung’s sustainability initiatives, visit here.

Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer of Samsung Europe, and Generation17 Young Leaders Kristian Kampmann (Denmark), Nadine Khaouli (Lebanon) and Tafara Makaza (Zimbabwe) participated in a series of activities throughout the week, highlighting how technology and creativity can empower the global community, including young changemakers, to make an impact.

▲ Generation17 Young Leaders (Kristian, Nadine and Tafara)

Working for the Future: Samsung and Generation17’s Support of UN Global Goals

Samsung partnered with Project Everyone and Karmarama (part of Accenture Song) to host a panel discussion on how brands can transform talk into action, with a specific focus on uplifting the younger generation and leveraging technology to mobilize communities for the Global Goals.

Benjamin highlighted that “55% of young people are saying that their voices are not being heard.” At Samsung he continued, “We have access to technology” and are “empowering young people by giving them the technology they need to amplify their cause.”

Samsung has been taking an active role by amplifying the voices of young people and harnessing the power of technology and information through Generation17 and the Samsung Global Goals App.

▲ Main stage session held at Theatre Claude Debuusy

During the panel, Nadine emphasized Samsung and UNDP’s support in her fight to alleviate poverty and provide crisis relief resources across her home country of Lebanon. She shared “My mission is to bring dignity to every person in Lebanon,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine a better pairing of brands to help me amplify my voice.”

▲ Benjamin Braun and Nadine Khaouli

Samsung is using its scale to raise awareness for the Global Goals and empower communities to take measurable steps to make an impact. In line with this, Samsung hosted the Samsung Global Goals Photobooth at Cannes Lions, an interactive experience in which festival attendees took fun photos while learning more about the Global Goals and the Samsung Global Goals App. This week also marked the start of Samsung’s work as a Business Avenger, a group of likeminded companies and organizations that are continuously seeking ways to innovate, collaborate and drive progress towards the Global Goals.

Through Generation17 and the Samsung Global Goals App, Samsung is working with UNDP to provide necessary support for the Global Goals. Through these initiatives, Samsung has taken an active role in elevating the voices of the younger generation and harnessing the power of technology to make a difference. These efforts further demonstrate how brands can take tangible action to make a positive impact while empowering people all over the world to do the same.

▲ Samsung Global Goals Photobooth

▲ Frankie the Dino (Utahraptor and UNDP Climate Activist) visiting Samsung Global Goals Photobooth