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Innovation, entrepreneurship and technology are more than buzzwords. They drive transformational change. This sentiment rang true for me at the recent START Summit x Hack 2024 held in St. Gallen, Switzerland, where the G20 Global Land Initiative (G20 GLI) made its mark on the global stage.

G20 GLI has a bold vision: to prevent, halt and reverse land degradation by 2040. This ambitious goal requires a multifaceted approach. An approach that harnesses the power of modern technologies, fosters entrepreneurial spirit and engages the private sector. 

This vision was our north star, as we embarked on a journey to inspire change and drive action at the START Summit x Hack 2024.

The START Summit is a flagship conference renowned for bridging the gap between technology and entrepreneurship. It was a perfect platform for the G20 GLI to showcase its vision of restoring degraded land and promoting sustainability. 

Our “Land of Opportunities” booth was strategically located within the Sustainability Lounge. It bubbled with engaging discussions, interactive activities and insightful workshops. Visitors from all walks of life learned about our mission, land restoration and participated fun activities. Some wrote “Love Letters for Land.” Others made pledges about sustainability.

Among the Summit highlights was the keynote speech delivered by Dr. Muralee Thummarukudy, Director of the G20 GLI. 

Watch it here

His powerful message about a generation detached from land resonated deeply with the conference attendees, and his call to take action inspired many of them to consider land restoration as a viable career path.

But the G20 GLI presence at the Summit didn’t stop there. 

We were actively involved in the Swiss Sustainable Impact Awards, where I served as a judge for the semi-final rounds. The winning pitch, awarded to Openversum, presented innovative solutions that can help local entrepreneurs to provide access to clean drinking water to communities across the globe.

At the START Hack, Europe’s leading hackathon competition, G20 GLI presented a challenging case titled, “A Land of Opportunities: Tackling Wildfire Land Degradation in Brazil.” 

The response was overwhelming, with hackers flocking to participate in the challenge and present their solutions. This ended with a series pitches, with each competing team presenting an innovative solution to a panel of judges. 

Although the team working on the G20 GLI challenge did not win the grand finale, they were recognized as champions of innovation, setting the stage for future collaborations.

Looking back on the journey to the START Summit x Hack 2024, we are filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment in our efforts to halt land degradation and promote land restoration through innovation and collaboration. Look ahead, we remain dedicated to fostering dialogue, inspiring innovation and driving action towards a more sustainable future.

Join us in this journey of innovation and inspiration. Together, we can make a difference and create a world where land is not just a resource, but a source of opportunity for generations to come.

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