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 organisations have made significant strides in creating real-world impact by prioritising 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, maximising 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 prioritises Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality) in her work to empower and educate girls across Africa.

Thùy Anh 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 stabilising internal operations and optimising services for seniors over the past year, contributing to HASU reaching over 50,000 individuals. Her newest programme, 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 prioritises 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

As many young people around the world strive to create a better future for their generation, technology and sports have emerged as powerful tools for fostering social inclusion and cultural exchange. Samsung Electronics, a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner in wireless communications and computing equipment, believes that open collaboration and innovative technology can break down barriers and unite people across borders, languages and cultures.

Building on this spirit of inclusivity and collaboration, Samsung Newsroom brought together Generation17 Young Leaders Shomy Chowdhury and Zubair Junjunia, and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Leaders Jessie Niles and Omar Bassyouni, for a series of engagements at Olympic rendezvous @ Samsung | Champs-Elysees 125 last week.

Young Leaders Advancing the Global Goals Through Cross-Sector Partnerships

The four Young Leaders connected over their shared commitment to social change advancing the Global Goals, each bringing unique perspectives shaped by their diverse backgrounds and innovative approaches to solving global challenges close to their hearts. From promoting quality education and well-being to championing sustainability and reducing inequalities, their initiatives demonstrated the impact of young changemakers when supported by cross-sector partnerships between businesses and international organisations.

“By bringing together new perspectives and resources from different sectors, we can create innovative solutions that address complex global challenges,” said Junjunia. “My work with ZNotes has shown what we can achieve when technology and community efforts converge to remove the barriers of socio-economic background and create equal access to quality education. Together, we can amplify our efforts to advance the Global Goals.”

“Collaborating across sectors has been key to Ready in Five’s growth. By partnering with educational institutions and corporate organisations, we are incorporating and encouraging movement in everyday activities to promote wellness and drive social change,” Niles shared. “This approach bridges the gap between different stakeholders across sports, education and business, showing that the most innovative solutions emerge when we unite diverse perspectives.”

▲ (From left) Generation17 Young Leaders Shomy Chowdhury and Zubair Junjunia, and IOC Young Leaders Omar Bassyouni and Jessie Niles share their thoughts on creating social impact and advancing the Global Goals.

Game Changers: The Intersection of Sports, Education and Emerging Technology

During a panel, the Young Leaders explored the role of sports and technology in advancing accessibility, equity and sustainability. They delved into how innovative technology, such as adaptive sports technology and wearable devices, can enhance quality of life for individuals with disabilities and make sports more accessible and empowering. 

Team Samsung Galaxy’s Johannes Floors (Para athletics, Germany) — a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, world record holder and silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games — shared how technology is opening access to information about disabilities and accessibility.

“When I was growing up, my parents didn’t have the opportunity to search on the internet for the right orthopedic surgeons for me. When I got my amputation surgery, social media was not as prevalent, and there was limited access to learn more about disabilities. But now, you can look up anything on the internet or on social media to educate yourself,” Floors shared. “Thanks to technology, I have received more messages over the past week from parents of children with the same disability as me than ever. It means the world to know that I can help people with disabilities and inspire others.”

Bassyouni emphasised how technology and data analysis support Para athletes. “Every athlete, whether disabled or able-bodied, has strengths and weaknesses. Technology helps identify these strengths and offers insights to enhance them — like which prosthetics work best or what training maximises performance. Sports isn’t just about the game. It’s about creating an inclusive space where everyone feels valued, regardless of their abilities. It is very important that we strive to create equal access for everyone in every corner of the world.”

Chowdhury shared how digital platforms enhance access. “Through Awareness360, we’ve empowered over 30,000 young people to take action and connect with those often left behind. Platforms like the Samsung Global Goals app have been crucial in scaling our impact. I’ve met many young changemakers who discovered my story through the app which raises awareness and funds to support the Global Goals — helping more people join the global movement for positive change.”

▲ Generation17 Young Leaders, IOC Young Leaders and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Silver Medalist Johannes Floors gathered for a panel at Olympic rendezvous @ Samsung |Champs-Elysees 125.

Embracing ‘Open always wins’

The engagement between Generation17 and the IOC Young Leaders underscored the critical role of youth leadership in shaping a more equitable world. While global sporting events like the Paralympics inspire global unity, technology acts as a catalyst for innovation and a solution to some of the world’s most pressing issues.

From the words of Floors, “Technology and sports may seem like different worlds — but when they come together, they have the power to create lasting, positive change on a global scale. By embracing the mindset of openness, we exchange information, show our values, create memories and celebrate victories. All this comes together through sports, and technology has made it easier than ever.”

By working together, Samsung and the IOC have demonstrated how openness and collaboration — core values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games — have the potential to change the world for the better.

Elevating the Voice of a Generation To Achieve the Global Goals

Generation17, a joint initiative by Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), elevates the voices of Young Leaders striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals. Samsung and the UNDP provide mentorship, technology and networking opportunities for the Young Leaders as they advance their work. The initiative removes barriers for Generation17 Young Leaders to be involved in public affairs, and Young Leaders have attended notable events such as the ECOSOC Youth Forum, COP and Climate Week. Generation17 has also strengthened participation on the Samsung Global Goals app which mobilises users and educates them on ways to support the Global Goals.

IOC Young Leaders Programme Contributes to Olympism 365 Days a Year

Launched in 2016, the IOC Young Leaders Programme empowers young people to leverage the power of sports to make a positive difference in their communities. The Programme contributes to Olympism365, the IOC’s approach to using sports as important enablers of the Global Goals, and specifically to Olympism365’s innovation portfolio that aims to identify, sustain and scale innovative sports-based approaches that deliver concrete impacts in targeted communities.

With the support of the IOC, these inspiring young people have delivered over 160 sport-led projects around the world — promoting education and livelihoods, equality and inclusion, health, peacebuilding and sustainability — to benefit more than 37,000 people.

For more information, please visit IOC Young Leaders Programme and the Olympism365 strategy.

When Zubair Junjunia was 16, he had an unsettling epiphany. He and his friends had just finished taking their grueling International General Certificate for Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and he was struck by a distinct disparity in the preparation resources available to students. Some had robust educational support, others a limited amount – and yet, they all sat for the same exams.

Zubair’s grandparents had left everything behind in India to give their children better opportunities in Pakistan, and their sacrifice enabled his father to use education to change the trajectory of their life, so Zubair was instantly compelled to act.

“Standardised tests play a pivotal role in determining college and career opportunities, and they’re a gatekeeper for social mobility,” says Zubair, now 26 and living in London. “Providing resources and leveling the playing field for these exams means you can actually make a better life for yourself.”

He was a tech enthusiast, diligent student and copious notetaker, so he built a site to post his class notes and give anyone with an internet connection free access to valuable educational support – creating the digital version of the age-old practice of group study.

Zubair was fascinated with technology from a young age. He grew up building websites and tinkering with graphic design.

A month later, students all over the world had discovered his blog, and it officially became ZNotes. Within two years, word spread, the site reached a million visits and other students began contributing their notes as well. Today, it’s a youth-led learning platform that helps address the Global Goals in 190 countries. Its mission: ending educational inequality for young people everywhere.

“The most empowering thing about technology is how it provides amplification and reach at a global scale.”

Zubair presents a leadership workshop to secondary school students at his alma mater in Jeddah.

Making a Tangible Impact with Technology

Students prepare for exams using ZNotes during a study session in Jeddah.

ZNotes started as an open resource blog of exam prep notes, but Zubair and his team have developed it into much more. Today, it’s a thriving online community where users from around the world support each other with live classes, video tutorials, podcasts, blog posts, email newsletters and engagement in peer-to-peer learning. The platform has over 350,000 registered users and houses 130 sets of robust notes that span seven international exam boards and 30 different subjects – from natural and social sciences to humanities and languages.

“The most empowering thing about technology is how it provides amplification and reach at a global scale,” Zubair says. “ZNotes is a testament to how a tech-enabled, community-powered solution can create educational equity.”

In a world where 78 million children lack safe and reliable access to education and international secondary and admissions tests are a primary requirement for applying to universities and for scholarships, ZNotes is giving more young people the chance to learn and pursue higher education. To date, the site has reached over 4.7 million secondary school students and teachers around the world and garnered more than 33 million hits – contributing to Global Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

ZNotes currently has the most student and teacher users in India, Pakistan, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, but the organisation is gaining traction elsewhere, including China, South Africa and Zimbabwe. According to ZNotes’ 2022 Impact Report, 91% of learners feel more confident about their exams after using ZNotes and 4 in 5 learners say the resources have been very important or quite useful to their academic performance.

Most importantly, the long reach of technology is enabling ZNotes to put invaluable educational resources directly in the hands of teachers and students at under-resourced schools in developing regions.

“We have some incredible testimonials from teachers who said they couldn’t afford textbooks and instead used ZNotes as a way to deliver lessons,” Zubair says. “One of my mentors was in a remote underserved area in Nigeria and saw printed copies of ZNotes stacked inside a school library because that was their learning resource. That type of impact is incredibly motivating.”

Zubair is also proud of how ZNotes, with over 100 contributors, 50 interns and 35 ambassadors, has become a catalyst for young people who want to make a difference.

“Many of our interns took their experience and went on to lead their own initiatives in their local community – from starting their own NGOs to supporting their university’s outreach efforts – because they could see how they were able to contribute towards a Global Goal on such a massive scale,” Zubair says.

Alexa Wong was one such intern. The University College London (UCL) student credits the organisation for galvanising her as she launched a support platform for disabled and neurodivergent students at the school. “ZNotes taught me what goes into running a start-up and empowered me to take more initiative in engaging in causes I care about,” Wong says.

Zubair and Alexa Wong, a former intern, collaborate during a ZNotes team meeting in London.

Zubair has grown along with his organisation. He’s evolved from a solo founder into a CEO who manages dozens of team members, stakeholders and advisors around the world. Today, he continues to advocate for fair and equitable education and looks for more ways to elicit positive change.

“I want to reach over 100 million young learners before I turn 30,” Zubair says. “I am determined to take this scalable and cost-effective community-led model of learning and apply it to the most under-resourced education systems in the world – and to be able to localise it, so youth on the ground are the owners of the impact.” 

“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.”

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.

Generation17 merges the power of Samsung Galaxy smartphone technology with UNDP’s platform to galvanise an entire generation of young people to achieve the 17 Global Goals in less than ten years. The initiative will elevate the stories and share the impactful work of young leaders who are already making considerable strides in support of the Global Goals.

“We are excited to better connect these inspiring advocates to their peers, enable their generation to take bold action on the Goals, and make their voices heard loud and clear with the latest Galaxy technology and our shared vision,” said Dr. TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “With a purpose as grand as the Global Goals, we strongly believe a collaborative, rallying effort will be imperative in sparking meaningful change.”

The 2020 cohort of Generation17 is made up of four trailblazers who are mobilising communities from Mali and Argentina, to Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our lifetimes:

• Máximo Mazzocco (Argentina): A 30-year old who founded Eco House, a non-profit that promotes sustainable development through education, volunteering, advocacy and environmental certification
• Sadya Touré (Mali): A 23-year-old author who founded Mali Musso, an organisation which empowers women through education to destigmatise gender-based violence
• Shomy Chowdhury (Bangladesh): A 26-year-old Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activist seeking to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all through her global organisation, Awareness 360, working across 23 countries
• Tafara Makaza (Zimbabwe): A 24-year-old junior at Williams College, in Williamstown, MA, studying astrophysics who has launched diverse startups to build transportation, energy, agriculture and education solutions

The 2020 Cohort of Generation17 Young Leaders

Young people of today wield incredible influence in catalysing change as tech savvy global citizens in an increasingly borderless world, with their unwavering and relentless optimism leading the charge on climate change and racial justice and influencing policymakers and businesses to chart a more sustainable course for our collective future. Generation17 is our answer to their call-to-action.  

“Young people are advancing the Global Goals through their work as innovators, entrepreneurs and advocates, and we must properly engage them today for the success of our global agenda tomorrow,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. “They harness incredible power in advocating for positive, systemic change, and we must support them in their roles as torchbearers of the Global Goals. This initiative complements other initiatives across the UN system, strengthening the foundations for a UN that delivers with and for young people through the UN Youth Strategy: Youth2030.”

UNDP and Samsung will provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and Galaxy devices to help broaden the reach of each of the young leaders’ voices and strengthen their organisations and businesses. They will also use the Samsung Global Goals app, which is preinstalled on the latest Galaxy smartphones, to show users how they can make a difference across the 17 Global Goals in their daily lives. Through educational content, the app aims to increase awareness of the Goals and has so far raised $1M in donations[1] for UNDP.

[1] The Samsung Galaxy Community Raised $1M to Support the Global Goals