Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Progress - The UN's SDG progress review reveals that half of the goals are moving too slowly to meet the 2030 deadline, and over 25% are in reverse [6] - Climate change is expected to cause over 250,000 deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, and heat stress [8] - A survey indicates that 84% of over 10,000 young respondents worry about climate change, with 75% fearful of the future and 83% attributing this to the failure of previous generations [3] Free Rider Problem - Most SDGs are global public goods, creating free-riding nations that benefit from others' green policies while underinvesting themselves [10] - The lack of legal means under international law to address the free rider problem hinders global cooperation on SDGs [11] - Voluntary agreements like the Paris Agreement face challenges as nations may withdraw, citing unfair burdens [13] Call to Action - A decreasing 36% of eligible voters below the age of 25 voted in the last EU election [5] - The industry emphasizes the need to move beyond sectoral approaches and prioritize ecological goals, including clean water and sanitation, climate action, life below water, and life on land [14] - The industry advocates for global cooperation where all countries contribute towards the SDGs to overcome the free rider problem [11]

Core Points - The 2025 SDG Cities Global Conference will take place in Shanghai on October 26-27, celebrating World Cities Day [1] - Co-hosted by UN-Habitat and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, the conference will focus on people-centered smart city development [2] - The event will feature a multi-format agenda, including a plenary session, three themed sessions, and various special sessions and side events [3] - Launched in 2021, the SDG Cities Global Conference has become an influential event in urban development both in China and globally [4] - This year's conference marks its fifth edition, aligning with the overarching theme of "Better City, Better Life" and focusing on innovative, livable, and smart cities [5] - The conference structure reflects the guiding principles of China's Central Urban Work Conference and the UN Sustainable Development Goals [6] - The plenary session will provide strategic insights, while themed sessions will address critical issues and promote cross-sector collaboration [7] - The event will showcase urban sustainability innovations and release international public goods related to urban development [8]

Core Insights - Future BookSea Technology Ltd. (FBT) has launched the Global Reading Initiative to promote reading equality, inclusive education, and cross-cultural exchange through digital technology [1] - The initiative aims to provide digital reading resources to over 10 million people in India, Southeast Asia, and several African countries [2] Company Overview - FBT, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, focuses on cultural technology driven by AI and digital publishing innovation [3] - The company aims to bridge the gap between education and technology by delivering high-quality content to diverse audiences [3] Initiative Details - The first phase includes supplying digital reading terminals and e-book content packages to under-resourced regions, along with multilingual AI learning assistants [4] - In India, FBT plans to establish 30,000 digital reading hubs, supporting local language learning and vocational education, creating over 1 million local jobs in the next two years [4] Strategic Importance - India is identified as a crucial part of FBT's global strategy due to its young digital population, offering significant potential for inclusive learning [8] - Collaborations with local education departments and nonprofits are part of the strategy to enhance access to reading [8] Employment and Community Engagement - FBT is fostering employment opportunities and community engagement by establishing a regional operations center in Karnataka, hiring in technology, content, and customer service [9] - The "Read & Work" initiative offers training programs in digital publishing and cultural management to empower young professionals [10] Global Content Co-Creation Program - FBT has launched a program inviting collaboration from authors, educators, and cultural institutions for digital publishing and distribution [11] - The platform includes an open copyright system, multilingual translation services, and AI-powered content review tools to enhance visibility for Indian creators [11] Commitment to Sustainable Development - FBT plans to expand its reach to 50 countries by 2026, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in Quality Education and Reduced Inequalities [13] - The company aims to deepen local production and content partnerships in India and support community-level digital transformation efforts [13]

Core Viewpoint - Japan's $1.8 trillion Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) is considering a shift towards impact investing, prompting a broader adjustment among the country's money managers [1][2]. Group 1: Impact Investing Adoption - The GPIF opened the door to impact strategies in March, leading at least four other Japanese pension funds to update or revise their investment policies [2]. - Asset managers are adjusting their approaches to align with the growing demand for impact strategies from pension funds [2]. Group 2: Government Support and Societal Challenges - The Japanese government supports the shift towards impact investing as a means to address real-world challenges, including an aging society and low gender equality rankings [3]. - Japan ranked 118th out of 146 countries in a gender-equality review last year [3]. Group 3: Economic Growth and Investment Focus - GPIF President Kazuto Uchida believes that targeting environmental and social goals through investments will ultimately lead to economic and capital market growth [4]. - Impact investing in Japan is expected to focus on areas such as climate, healthcare, wellbeing, and inclusivity [6]. Group 4: Measurement and Framework - Impact investing aims to achieve both profit and social/environmental outcomes, utilizing standardized impact measurement frameworks [7]. - The United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals serve as a roadmap for deploying capital in impact investments [7].

Public Health Challenges & Solutions in Rural India - Infant mortality rate was 121 per 1,000 live births, indicating over 10% of children died before age one [1] - Child mortality rate was 153 per 1,000 [2] - Neonatal mortality rate was 100 per 1,000 [2] - Traditional healers and local deities were primary healthcare sources due to the absence of modern medicine [1] - A home-based mother newborn child care program was developed, focusing on health education, home deliveries, newborn care, breastfeeding support, and management of common childhood illnesses [1] Community Health Worker Program & Impact - Local women, including traditional birth attendants and community health workers (like Asha), were trained to provide essential newborn care [1] - Passing percentage of these community health workers in newborn care was 75%, exceeding the passing rate of medical graduates [2] - Infant mortality reduced from 121 to 20 per 1,000 live births [2] - Child mortality decreased from 153 to 23 per 1,000 [2] - Neonatal mortality dropped from 100 to 17 per 1,000 [2] Program Recognition & Scalability - The home-based neonatal care program became India's national policy, training 800,000 Asha workers [2] - The program has expanded globally, impacting 80 countries [2] - The initiative was recognized as one of Time magazine's 18 global heroes of health [2]

Thank you. Thank you all so much for being here. Thank you for the warm welcome.It was really, really nice. It's a real privilege and honor to be here. Um, I've had the honor to meet many of you before, but for those who don't know me, my name is Liz Maris.Um, thanks for coming out tonight. I'm going to hope to inspire you tonight with a short talk on creating meaningful change. So, as you heard, I'm a global advocacy professional.So, it's my job to try and make change and advocate for for good policies. Um ...

Core Message - The speaker emphasizes the importance of personal sustainability to achieve planetary sustainability, advocating for a shift from viewing sustainability as a goal to making it a natural, everyday choice [13] - The speaker shares a personal journey of self-discovery and adventure, highlighting the transformative power of nature and exploration in healing and finding purpose [5][8] Sustainability & Environmental Advocacy - The speaker advocates for giving nature a voice, emphasizing that nature is communicating loudly and urging listeners to pay attention [11] - The speaker highlights the need to bridge the gap between aspirations for a sustainable planet and the current reality, proposing five traits: optimism, solution-focus, accountability, openness, and stress management [11] - The speaker introduces the "seven seas" (clarity, competency, credibility, consistency, collaboration, communication, and community) as key elements for achieving sustainability [11] - The speaker draws an analogy to a forest, advocating for collaboration over competition in the pursuit of sustainability [11] - The speaker stresses the symbiotic relationship between human well-being and the planet's health, noting that actions impacting the planet directly affect ourselves [11] - The speaker underscores the critical importance of water and air quality for all life, urging for greater respect and care for these elements [11][12] Personal Development & Inspiration - The speaker's childhood dream of being an explorer was reignited after a life-altering event, leading to a journey of self-discovery and the establishment of an expedition company [5][7][9] - The speaker encourages listeners to connect with nature, emphasizing its healing and restorative properties [8]

Core Insights - HydroGraph Inc. has published a peer-reviewed study demonstrating that its ultra-pure graphene can effectively remove 100% of six organic dyes from wastewater within 10 minutes, positioning it as a scalable solution for industrial wastewater treatment [1][3][5] Company Overview - HydroGraph is a leading producer of ultra-pure graphene, utilizing a patented chamber explosion method to create few-layered graphene nanosheets, which are cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally friendly [1][5][7] - The company aims to partner with industries such as textile, pulp and paper, and paint manufacturers to implement pilot projects for dye removal in the next three to six months [6] Industry Context - The global wastewater market is projected to grow from $20.01 billion in 2025 to $28.95 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% [2] - Organic dyes are significant pollutants in wastewater, often discharged with minimal treatment, which poses risks to ecosystems and human health [2][5] Technological Advantages - HydroGraph's graphene has shown a high adsorption capacity, achieving 97% to 100% dye removal within 15 to 60 minutes, making it more effective than conventional filtration methods [3][4] - The use of graphene for wastewater purification is more sustainable compared to traditional coagulation/flocculation techniques, as it has a lower chemical footprint and requires less energy [4][5] Environmental Impact - The production method of HydroGraph's graphene minimizes harmful byproducts, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to clean water, industry innovation, responsible consumption, and climate action [5]

Core Message - The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding dignity and respect in ordinary, basic things [11][12] - The speaker connects this concept to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting that each goal represents a story and a deeper meaning beyond just a number [5][6] - The speaker advocates for a return to basics in addressing sustainability, drawing parallels between the SDGs and fundamental needs like hunger and education [8] Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - The speaker shares a personal anecdote about initiating a school project in a jungle, emphasizing the impact of providing a simple meal to improve a child's attendance [4] - The speaker uses the example of a fisherman in Kerala to illustrate that climate action (Goal 13) is about individual choices and stories [6] - The speaker encourages simple actions like saving water and switching off lights as contributions to sustainability [12] Personal Philosophy - The speaker believes that impact is not measured by the size of the audience but by the number of people affected [7] - The speaker uses the analogy of a rocket shedding propellers to illustrate that while some things may leave, the core values and basic needs remain [10][11]

Core Viewpoint - GoldQuest Mining Corp. has officially commenced the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for its 100%-owned Romero gold-copper project in the Dominican Republic, marking a significant milestone for the project [1][5]. Group 1: ESIA and Community Engagement - The ESIA work plan aligns with the Terms of Reference issued by the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MIMARENA) and aims to meet international standards such as the IFC Performance Standards and the Equator Principles [3]. - In July 2025, GoldQuest held seven community meetings with approximately 400 local residents to share project information and gather input for the assessment process [2]. - The ESIA approach supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Climate Action (SDG 13) [4]. Group 2: Investor Relations Partnership - GoldQuest has partnered with Adelaide Capital for investor relations and consulting services, which includes developing a comprehensive capital markets program [5][6]. - The agreement with Adelaide includes a monthly fee of C$10,000 for six months and the grant of 50,000 stock options with an exercise price of C$0.72, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval [6].