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.

To learn more, please visit: www.samsung.com.my.

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.

The Anthem Awards is one of the largest and most comprehensive social impact awards program that honors incredible, purpose-driven work from individuals, companies and organizations around the globe. The 4th Annual Anthem Awards marked the most competitive season yet, with over 2,300 entries submitted from 34 countries. By recognizing projects and initiatives that drive global change, the Anthem Awards establish a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires action in communities worldwide.

“We are truly honored to have our commitment to the Global Goals recognized by the Anthem Awards,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is dedicated to harnessing the power of technology to inspire collective action, open collaboration and creating a better future for all. As we advance towards 2030 alongside the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Samsung Global Goals app will remain vital for driving action and progress toward achieving the Global Goals.”

Developed in partnership with the UNDP, the Samsung Global Goals app empowers millions worldwide to contribute directly to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals. Launched in 2019, the app now has nearly 300 million Galaxy users[1] around the world and has raised over $20 million[2] to support UNDP initiatives through user donations, in-app advertisements and matching donations from Samsung.

▲ The Samsung Global Goals app has engaged millions of Galaxy users and raised substantial funds to support UNDP’s work in advancing the Global Goals and contributing to their achievements.

For more information about the partnership, read the 2024 Global Goals Report here. To learn more about the Samsung Global Goals app, download the app from the Google Play Store.

About UNDP
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is one of 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] Total number of users as of September 2024

[2] Total contributions as of September 2024

Central to this mission is the belief in the potential of young people, particularly millennials and Gen Z. As tech-savvy global citizens, their optimism and conviction drive progress on issues like climate change and social equity. With the right tools and platforms, they have the power to influence policymakers and businesses toward a more sustainable future.

As the 2030 deadline for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approaches, Samsung and UNDP remain committed to the Global Goals. Both organizations have made significant strides in creating real-world impact by prioritizing innovation. In celebration of United Nations Day, Samsung has released a report that marks our five-year relationship, highlighting progress in raising awareness of the Global Goals through initiatives like the Samsung Global Goals app and Generation17.

“We believe in the power of collective effort to create a better future for upcoming generations and using technology for the greater good,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our partnership with UNDP over the past five years has been a meaningful step in this journey, as we’ve worked together to support young changemakers and raise awareness of the Global Goals. We’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a better future for all, and we look forward to continuing our journey to 2030 with the Galaxy community.”

“The only way we are going to confront the world’s biggest challenges is through cooperation. Our partnership with Samsung shows the power of true collaboration between the public and private sectors,” added Achim Steiner, Administrator of UNDP. “We are proud of the progress that we’ve seen in both the Samsung Global Goals app and the Generation17 initiative to empower youth to advance the SDGs. We look forward to continuing and exploring new frontiers in our partnership to drive sustainable development in the years ahead.”

Samsung Global Goals App

▲ The Samsung Global Goals app allows Galaxy users to work toward the Global Goals in an easy, collaborative way.

Samsung and UNDP partnered in 2019 to launch the Samsung Global Goals app[1]— a platform that educates Galaxy users about the 17 Global Goals and allows them to generate donations through in-app ads, using wallpapers to increase their earnings and direct contributions. Samsung then matches all proceeds from the in-app ads, maximizing our collaborative efforts to support UNDP’s work in advancing the Global Goals and contributing to their achievement.

To further engage Galaxy users, we introduced new interactive features such as the Donation Leader Board in 2023. In 2024, we launched limited-edition wallpapers as “Thank-you Gifts” as a token of appreciation to active users. The wallpapers, available on Samsung Galaxy smartphones and watches, highlight different endangered species supported by UNDP Global Goals initiatives.

▲ The Samsung Global Goals app has engaged millions of Galaxy users and raised substantial funds to support UNDP’s work in advancing the Global Goals and contributing to their achievements.

Since its launch, the Samsung Global Goals app has reached nearly 300 million Galaxy users[2] and raised more than $20 million[3] for UNDP. Users have identified Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) as their top priorities, offering valuable insights into the global issues that matter most to them.

▲ Galaxy users have identified Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) as their top priorities.

Looking ahead, we are dedicated to expanding the app’s impact to inspire collective action and create lasting change.

Generation17

In 2020, Samsung and UNDP launched Generation17 to support young changemakers advancing the Global Goals with the belief in the power of youth to create meaningful change. The initiative provides technology, mentorship and networking opportunities to Young Leaders worldwide — supporting 16 such individuals across six regions to date and sharing their stories through Samsung and UNDP’s global platforms.

Through the initiative, the Generation17 Young Leaders have been able to attend major global events such as the Mobile World Congress, the UN Economic and Social Council Youth Forum and the UN Summit of the Future Action Days. These engagements give them a platform to collaborate with global decision-makers across different sectors.

In just four years, UNDP and Samsung, through Generation17, have supported Young Leaders who believe this initiative has significantly contributed to achieving remarkable results and making a resounding impact on their communities. While Generation17 has provided valuable resources and opened doors for the Young Leaders, their success is ultimately a testament to their drive, creativity, entrepreneurial skills, networks and passion for advancing the Global Goals. Through these combined efforts, the Young Leaders feel that this initiative has scaled the impact of their work, allowing them to reach more people within their communities, raise awareness of their work and advance all 17 Global Goals through the power of technology.

Samsung Newsroom highlights how Generation17 leaders Efe Johnson, Thùy Anh Ngô and Tafara Makaza are leveraging technology to address challenges such as reproductive health education, care for the elderly, economic mobility and more — demonstrating how innovative solutions can inspire change and action.

Efe Johnson

A reproductive and sexual health advocate from Kaduna, Nigeria, Efe Johnson founded Xari Africa to break taboos surrounding sexual and reproductive health across Africa after experiencing shame and confusion during her first menstrual period. Xari Africa educates girls on topics like menstruation, birth control and sexual health.

Xari Africa has impacted 4,500 girls across Africa through school workshops, online courses and Efe’s practical health guide Just Period It. She now aims to expand her platform to reach 1 million girls.

▲ Efe prioritizes Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality) in her work to empower and educate girls across Africa.

Thùy Ang Ngô

Thùy Anh Ngô founded HASU, a mobile platform in Vietnam that improves the physical, mental and social well-being of older adults. Inspired by her late grandfather’s fear of burdening his family, she developed HASU to meet the needs of Vietnam’s aging population. The app offers health advice, exercise routines and social forums to keep seniors connected and active.

Thùy Anh has concentrated on stabilizing internal operations and optimizing services for seniors over the past year, contributing to HASU reaching over 50,000 individuals. Her newest program, a memoir-writing service, has been helping clients from various backgrounds — including key opinion leaders, politicians and retired professionals — preserve and cherish their treasured memories.

▲ Thùy Anh prioritizes Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) in her work to support older adults in Vietnam.

Tafara Makaza

A social entrepreneur and technologist from Zimbabwe, Tafara Makaza co-founded Fixa — a digital platform that connects informal workers with safe, reliable employment opportunities in Africa. Dubbed the “LinkedIn for the linked out,” Fixa helps workers create digital profiles and gives them access to formal jobs and financial services.

Tafara has connected over 8,000 workers to more than 300,000 job opportunities, disbursing more than $2 million in salaries since starting the platform in 2021. He is empowering individuals across Africa to achieve economic independence.

▲ Tafara prioritizes Goal 1 (No Poverty) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) in his work to improve employment in Africa.

Looking Towards 2030

With 2030 on the horizon, Samsung’s commitment to driving global progress has only strengthened. The company continues to harness its technological expertise to fuel collective action for meaningful change by supporting UNDP and young changemakers worldwide. Through initiatives like the Samsung Global Goals app and Generation17, Samsung remains focused on building a more sustainable future for all.

Click here to download the full report.

[1] Samsung Global Goals app seen on the image is simulated for illustrative purposes. Availability and supported device models may vary by market and are subject to change
[2] Total number of users as of September 2024
[3] Total contribution as of September 2024

Finding the Balance between Innovation and the Environment

Samsung is reimagining how Galaxy technology is designed and packaged to do more with less when it comes to our planet’s natural resources. For the last decade, we have worked to innovate high-performance components that are made with recycled materials.   We took an important step in 2022 when we incorporated recycled discarded fishing nets, also known as ghost nets, in the Galaxy S22 series. Recycled materials can now be found in all Galaxy mobile products, including smartphones, tablets, PCs and wearables[1]. At the same time, we have expanded our use to a greater variety of materials, from several different types of plastics to metals and glass.  

Visualizing how the Galaxy S24 series is designed and packaged to do more with less for people and the planet

  The Galaxy S24 series[2] takes these actions one step further. For the first time in any Galaxy device, we developed key device components with recycled cobalt, rare earth elements and steel. The battery[3] in the Galaxy S24 Ultra contains a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt, and 100% recycled rare earth elements[4] and a minimum of 40% recycled steel[5] were used in the speakers.   Samsung has a long history of addressing the pervasive challenge of plastic waste through our recycled material innovations, and recycled plastics continue to play an important role in the Galaxy S24 series. The Galaxy S24 series maintains our use of recycled plastics sourced from discarded fishing nets, water barrels and PET bottles.   The recycled ocean-bound plastic[6] material was created in partnership with global organizations who collected discarded fishing nets abandoned near the oceans. The nets’ properties were separated, cleaned and extruded before optimizing them into high-performance, recycled polyamide pellets. Similarly, the recycled polycarbonate and PET materials are sourced from discarded water barrels and PET bottles that were ground, filtered and melted down with other additives. This process helps us transform these fragile resources into high-performance optimized materials that uphold Samsung’s state-of-the-art design and high-quality standards. We also teamed up with other organizations to upcycle discarded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) that was generated from shoe manufacturing.   This is a culmination of our continued efforts with our partners to transform fragile plastic wastes into high performance material used in Galaxy devices. With the Galaxy S24 series, our goal by end of 2024 is to help recover nearly 100 metric tons of recycled plastics[7], which is equivalent to 10 million empty plastic bottles[8].   When it comes to recycled metal, the Galaxy S24 series incorporates recycled aluminum[9] that originates from scrap metal generated during manufacturing. The aluminum scrap is re-melted, filtered for impurities and then recycled to make components within Samsung’s product development process. With the Galaxy S24 series, our goal by end of 2024 is to recover about 110 metric tons of recycled aluminum, which is the equivalent of 9 million soda cans[10].   Additionally, the Galaxy S24 series comes in a packaging box made using 100% recycled paper material. By the end of 2024, our goals is to recover nearly 2,760 metric tons of recycled paper with Galaxy S24 series, which is equivalent of 552 million pieces of A4 paper[11]. If stacked on top of one another, that would be approximately the same height as 71 Burj Khalifas[12], which is the tallest building in the world.   From the smallest components to the newest, most premium features, the Galaxy S24 series represents a significant stride in Samsung’s sustainability journey, and we remain committed to scaling these innovations in years to come. This work will help us shift to more circular designs and build technology that supports a more sustainable future.        

[1] Recycled materials can be found in all Galaxy devices released in and after 2022

[2] The Galaxy S24 series features a variety of recycled materials including pre- or post-consumer recycled plastics, including Polyamide (PA), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) in both internal and external components. It also includes components made with pre-consumer recycled aluminum and glass, as well as pre- and post-consumer recycled cobalt, rare earth elements (neodymium), and steel. For more information about the recycled materials in the Galaxy S24 series, please review Samsung’s product environmental reports on the Sustainability website.

[3] The batteries of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ include a minimum of 50% pre- and post-consumer recycled cobalt. The battery of the Galaxy S24 includes a minimum of 10% pre- and post-consumer recycled cobalt. The above measurements are based on weight.

[4] The speakers of the Galaxy S24 series include 100% pre- and post-consumer recycled neodymium. The above measurements are based on weight.

[5] The speakers of the Galaxy S24 series include a minimum of 40% pre- and post-consumer recycled steel. The above measurements are based on weight.

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

[7] Calculated tons of recycled materials in this article are based on internal estimates.

[8] Assuming the weight of 500ml PET bottles is 10g, which is the average weight of PET bottles from manufacturers across the market.

[9] A minimum of 28% pre-consumer recycled aluminum is used in both internal and external aluminum components of Galaxy S24 series. For more information about the recycled materials in the Galaxy S24 series, please review Samsung’s product environmental reports on the Sustainability website.

[10] Average weight of 330ml soda can is calculated from Metal Packaging Europe article.

[11] Average weight of A4 paper is calculated based on ISO 536:2019.

[12] At 828 meters high, the Burj Khalifa holds the record as the tallest building in the world.

Samsung Global Goals App Helps Raise Awareness and Donations

The Samsung Global Goals app, serviced in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is available in 89 languages, with nearly 300 million Galaxy users engaging with the app worldwide.[1] Through the app, Samsung invites the Galaxy community to learn about the Global Goals and contribute to the Goals of their choosing by donating directly or watching in-app advertisements to generate donations. Only four years after launching, the Galaxy community has raised over USD 17 million to support the Global Goals and promote resiliency around the world.

Despite our collective efforts to help the world achieve the Global Goals by 2030, we stand at a critical moment. The United Nations recently reported that global events have exacerbated systemic challenges and that, in some areas, our progress has either stalled or gone into reverse. Now more than ever, calls to demonstrate commitment to the Global Goals ring louder and Samsung believes that the Galaxy community can help make a difference.

Thank-You Gifts, a New Feature To Encourage the Galaxy Community To Take More Action

Thank-you gifts, following the announcement of the Samsung Global Goals app Donation Leaderboard last year, are the latest in Samsung’s ongoing efforts to encourage the Galaxy community to take action. Through this new feature, Samsung Global Goals app users will be the first to redeem limited-edition wallpapers to showcase on their Samsung Galaxy smartphones and watch faces. Samsung will initially offer three collections of wallpaper and watch face options, highlighting different endangered species and habitats, including black rhinos, sea turtles, sea otters, whale sharks, coral reefs and grasslands among others. These designs will be offered in cool black-and-white and chrome styles.

▲ Three collections of wallpaper and watch face options will be available on the Samsung Global Goals app, highlighting different endangered species and habitats

Each user who engages with the app will be offered a free wallpaper or watch face to download — giving them a chance to help progress the Global Goals and earn prizes along the way. By donating through the app, users can unlock access to other special wallpaper and watch face designs to celebrate their contributions.[2] Users can also look forward to even more Thank-you gift options as new collections continue to roll out throughout the year.

▲ Samsung Global Goals app users can unlock special wallpaper and watch face designs to celebrate their contributions

Samsung believes that technology can open opportunities for people to make a positive impact in their everyday lives. Join us in our pursuit of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development by visiting the Samsung Global Goals app.

[1] The Samsung Global Goals app is pre-installed on Galaxy smartphones, tablets and smartwatches.

[2] The number of free gifts and donation gifts may be limited, depending on the style and type.

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, 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.

To pre-order the latest Galaxy devices, please click the respective links below:

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-s23-ultra/buy/

Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Samsung Galaxy S23:  https://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-s23/buy/

For more information about Sustainability, check out below:

https://www.samsung.com/my/sustainability/environment/

Samsung Electronics today announced the company has reached a significant milestone in its journey to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or the Global Goals, with a contribution of more than USD10 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The funds were generated through the Samsung Global Goals app and will help UNDP promote resilience and accelerate progress around the world.

Established by the United Nations in 2015, the Global Goals provide a shared blueprint of ambitious milestones for a more equitable, just and sustainable world by 2030. The 17 Global Goals promote collaboration and collective action to address inequality, climate change, ecosystem degradation, education and other pressing global challenges. Samsung embarked on delivering innovative solutions in support of the Global Goals and in 2019 by partnering with UNDP to launch the Samsung Global Goals app. The company’s global Galaxy community has since joined the movement by leveraging the app as a simple yet meaningful tool to make a difference in their daily lives.

Taking Collective Action for the Goals

“At Samsung, we know technology plays a crucial role in solving some of the biggest challenges the world is facing right now,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Through our partnership with UNDP and the Samsung Global Goals app, the Galaxy community has been instrumental in advancing the Global Goals. We want to extend our gratitude to our users for making this incredible milestone possible.”

Actions taken on the Samsung Global Goals app support UNDP’s impactful work. This includes meaningfully engaging youth to achieve the SDGs. UNDP implements policies, advances programs, champions youth initiatives in over 100 countries and supports over 900 youth partnerships.

“As we approach the halfway point of the 2030 deadline, this coming year is crucial in our pursuit to advance the Global Goals,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. “While the world has faced recent setbacks, we are energized by the progress made through this partnership. Together with Samsung, we must reinvigorate our combined efforts to achieve the Goals and inspire the next generation to take action with us.”

Scaling Our Impact

The Samsung Global Goals app is installed on nearly 300 million Galaxy devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets and smartwatches. Through the app, Samsung raises awareness for the Global Goals while also empowering users to take small actions that amount to big change. The Samsung Global Goals app enables users to donate directly, use wallpapers to increase ad-earnings or generate funding by watching advertisements in the app. To maximize impact, Samsung matches all proceeds through in-app advertisements.¹

Since launching the Samsung Global Goals app in 2019, Samsung has expanded its partnership with UNDP with Generation17, an initiative that elevates the voices of 14 young leaders making meaningful impacts in their communities around the world. The Generation17 Young Leaders play an essential role in inspiring people to deliver impact for the Global Goals.

Samsung also strives to support the Global Goals through its business operations. The company has aligned its corporate ESG strategy with the Global Goals to identify business priorities and communicate performance according to the Goals. The company is also a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact, an initiative that encourages businesses to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies.

To learn more about the Global Goals and take action, visit the Samsung Global Goals app here: http://smsng.co/SGG-App.

To view Samsung’s sustainability progress, check out the 2022 Sustainability Report.

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 Samsung has pledged to match donations with ad proceeds generated through the Global Goals app; up to USD 5 million annually.

Generation17 is an initiative in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) that aims to harness technology to elevate the voices of young leaders around the globe who are working to achieve the Global Goals in less than 10 years. Established by the United Nations in 2015, the Global Goals—or Sustainable Development Goals—provide a framework to address pressing global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change and peace and justice, to build a better future for all by 2030.

To get involved, visit the Samsung Global Goals App and visit us here:  http://smsng.co/generation17_undp

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

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

Innovation With Impact

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

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

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

Using Technology as a Force for Good

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

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

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

We Need Collective Action

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

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

“We continue to be inspired by young, innovative visionaries who prove that technology can be a force for good,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP & CMO of the MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “I am honored to welcome these six advocates into the Generation17 community. They embody the type of leadership that our world needs to build more sustainable societies, and I am excited to see how they inspire more people to learn about the 17 Global Goals and join our collective mission to achieve a brighter future.”

With the six advocates, grassroots organizers and entrepreneurs, Generation17 expands to all corners of the world, spanning countries in Africa, Asia, CIS & Europe, North America, Latin America and the Middle East. Their work will raise awareness of global solutions to the urgent issues facing humanity in 2022 and in years to come, as they advance digital innovation, empower refugee women through education and job trainings, coach the elderly about physical and mental health and more:

• AY Young (United States): Musician who produces albums and concerts that share engaging ways to tackle the global energy poverty issue.
• Kristian Kampmann (Denmark): Leader of UNLEASH, an innovation lab that sparks creative and inclusive solutions for the Global Goals.
• Nora Altwaijri (Saudi Arabia): Software engineer who educates people on the Global Goals and connects them to impactful resources through digital platforms.
• Oğuz Ergen (Turkey): Activist who rallies NGOs, academia and government together to address the climate crisis and protect the coastal Aegean region.
• Tamara Dewi Gondo Soerijo (Indonesia): Social enterprise founder who empowers refugee women by providing upskilling opportunities and access to market.
• Thuy Anh Ngo (Vietnam): Entrepreneur who launched a mobile app that equips the elderly with physical and mental health advice and activities.

“2022 is a critical year in our pursuit to achieve the Global Goals, as the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed decades of progress in global human development,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. “Despite this somber reality, I am confident that the strength and perseverance of the young generation will help us build back better from the crisis and propel positive change on education, inclusion and climate. These six young leaders and the entire Generation17 community remind us that we need to step up our efforts to achieve the Global Goals and protect our collective futures.”

An Initiative Driven By and For Young People

Since its launch, Generation17 has been spearheaded by and in support of young people. Samsung and UNDP continuously engage with the Young Leaders to determine their biggest needs and discover support systems to help scale and advance their work. Together, the two entities provide the latest Galaxy technology, amplify their stories on global platforms, facilitate peer networking and best-practice sharing, offer mentorship opportunities and invite them to global agenda-setting stages like the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum.

In 2022 and beyond, Samsung and UNDP are committed to exploring new ways to partner with the Young Leaders. This includes convening the first-ever “Generation17 Youth Dialogues,” an event to rally Global Goals advocates from all over the world for knowledge sharing on how people can best navigate the Global Goals and achieve a more sustainable future.

The 14 Young Leaders will connect people to solutions that actively contribute to the Global Goals, including the Samsung Global Goals app. Launched in 2019 by Samsung and UNDP, the app provides learning opportunities on the Global Goals and shares easy and meaningful ways to make a difference. The app is currently installed on nearly 200 million Galaxy devices and has generated more than US$4 million in donations to educate the Galaxy community about the world’s most pressing challenges and strengthen UNDP’s work in supporting countries to implement integrated solutions for the Global Goals.

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