UNDP launches lab to identify local innovations

ISTANBUL

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has launched a new network to tackle growing development challenges.

Speaking at the Accelerator Lab launching event held in Istanbul, the UNDP’s Turkey Country Director Claudio Tomasi, said 60 labs are being launched in 78 countries to test and scale new solutions to global challenges like climate change and soaring inequality.

These laboratories, will bring together grassroots ideas with new sources of real-time data and experimentation to meet the fast-changing realities of 21st century development.

"We will accelerate progress towards achieving the sustainable development goals by finding and testing new solutions within weeks or months, not years," Tomasi said.

He said while the innovation ecosystem is getting stronger in Turkey, there is need to continue striving for new opportunities.

“We must still look for new opportunities, solutions, and partnerships if we want to effectively address wicked challenges which are often beyond the capabilities of any individual organization," Tomasi said.