As we stand at the midpoint of realizing the 2030 Agenda, the objective of this event is to underscore and advocate for the paramount significance of knowledge, skills and data as enablers for advancing progress on the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The enduring 15-year partnership between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) through the Knowledge Project, has established itself as a foundational pillar for expediting progress towards the SDGs by designing solutions at scale. This partnership has yielded significant achievements, including the launch of the Global Knowledge Index and the formulation of the Future of Knowledge Foresight reports. Most recently, the project has developed the Skills Development Initiative, which is the fruit of extensive research and consultations, which is set to be launched during the event.

The event endeavors to spark conversations that transcend traditional boundaries, encouraging participants from diverse fields including academia, industry and government to engage in dialogue, exchange insights and share best practices. By doing so, it aspires to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem of stakeholders united by a common purpose, to unleash the potential of knowledge as an enabler for positive change.

The event aims to explore how knowledge and data can serve as enablers for driving game-changing transformation in education and jobs. The multifaceted ways in which informed decision-making, evidence-based policies, and innovative solutions derived from comprehensive data analysis can collectively propel humanity towards a more equitable, resilient and ecologically balanced future will be discussed.

It will include a panel session that will explore how measuring, anticipating, and matching skills can transform the skills and jobs landscape in the region, and will address the opportunities brought about by upskilling and reskilling programmes, aiming to bridge the skills gap and equip citizens with new skills for the jobs of tomorrow. 

This session will reflect on the transition from certificate-based to skills-based hiring and the avenues that micro credentials can unlock and their impact on vulnerable groups and their prospects for finding decent jobs.

The event will bring together approximately 40 participants including high-level representatives from Member States, experts on knowledge and data, academia and relevant UN staff providing a platform for policy discussion.

Wacth the event live