As part of its ongoing efforts to adopt the latest sustainable practices across its operations, the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD) has announced its partnership with the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) to launch the International Solutions Lab for South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
The initiative was announced during a high-level virtual forum attended by more than 200 delegates from UN agencies, Member States, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors from various countries. The event hosted a group of specialized experts who discussed the plans and strategies for the activation of the lab.
The UNOSSC International Lab aims to accelerate the development and implementation of innovative solutions through South-South and triangular cooperation. The Lab is designed within the UNOSSC Strategic Framework 2022-2025, with the aim of promoting knowledge exchange, capacity building and technology transfer to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Over the years, GORD has attracted many experts and specialists from all over the world, who have worked tirelessly to establish and equip many laboratories that include the latest equipment and technologies in the region. Today, we are proud to provide the necessary support to launch the International Solutions Laboratory for South-South and Triangular Cooperation,” said Dr. Yousef bin Mohammed Al Horr, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD). “This partnership represents a great opportunity for stakeholders to benefit from our expertise in developing innovative solutions to address various climate change challenges, which enhances the possibility of achieving sustainable development in the world.”
“The Solutions Lab excels at identifying, deconstructing and redistributing innovative solutions, as well as creating harmonious sets of options for governments and the UN system,” said Dima Khatib, Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). “Partnerships are the backbone of the UNOSSC Solutions Lab,” she added, expressing the office’s gratitude to the group of strategic partners, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Masdar City in the United Arab Emirates, and the Gulf Organization for Research and Development in Qatar, for their contributions to this joint work.
The main objectives of the International Solutions Lab for South-South and Triangular Cooperation are ambitious and vital, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. The Lab focuses on increasing the capacity of developing countries to make evidence-based decisions, as well as scaling up existing and new solutions. The Lab also aims to develop and implement strategic policies designed to address global challenges. This is done by promoting approaches to innovation, collaboration and strategic partnership between countries in the Global South and their triangular cooperation partners. The Lab aspires to drive significant progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. This involves not only promoting innovative ideas and experiences, but also enhancing the visibility and adoption of effective solutions through dynamic communication and strong advocacy strategies.
The Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD) is a leading non-profit organization in the field of environmental sustainability in the Middle East and North Africa region, headquartered in Qatar Science and Technology Park. Through its diverse activities, the organization seeks to support the transformation of societies, institutional structures and the built environment towards sustainability, and seeks to promote innovation and develop capabilities to enable sustainable, low-carbon growth for current and future generations. The organization’s main operations include: research and development, setting standards, issuing green building certifications, accreditation services, carbon reduction certificates, technical testing, disseminating knowledge and consulting services related to the fields of environmental sustainability and climate change, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
