New York, 22 September 2022: As the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) is underway and thought leaders from across sectors gather in New York, Reliance Foundation, the Observer Research Foundation, and the United Nations in India are hosting two events on September 23 to complement the formal proceedings. While the first will be a discussion on ‘Women, Tech, and the SDGs: Reshaping the Pathways to Change’, the second is a high-level discussion that will focus on ‘The G20 Imperative: Green Growth & Development for All’.

‘Aspirations, Access & Agency: Women transforming lives with technology’—a publication by Reliance Foundation and Observer Research Foundation—will also be launched at these events. The compendium tells the stories of women leaders who have emerged as agents of technological change and socioeconomic inclusion and are using ICTs to help their communities build pathways to better futures.
Each story narrates a woman’s leadership journey and explores how she evolved as a digital enabler.

Jagannatha Kumar, CEO of Reliance Foundation, said, “Through these events, we bring experiences from around the world—ranging from women in remote Indian regions who became social change catalysts to green growth ideas beyond borders. Today, the green economy is to climate conversations what mobile technology access is to inclusive digital empowerment. At Reliance Foundation, we believe when women rise, families flourish and communities grow, countries prosper; a vision driven by our Founder and Chairperson Mrs Nita Ambani. Today, with these discussions, we take another step forward towards Agenda 2030, with our philosophy of ‘We Care’.”

Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation, termed the lessons from the compendium timely and said, "The stories of these remarkable women demonstrate how technology can reshape development pathways and cater to aspirations of many. The journeys chronicled in this publication also urge us to reassess where we are with respect to the SDGs, and how we can overcome the deleterious impact of the pandemic. It is clear that real progress is possible only if our efforts are inclusive, green, led by communities, and catalysed by adept policies and leadership—all attributes of the emerging yet distinct India story.”

Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, India, noted, “On behalf of the UN Team in India, we are pleased to partner in these important discussions. From women at the frontier of technology, to government, business, and communities coming together for the green transition and climate resilience, there are many inspiring stories of sustainability emerging across the country. India’s leadership in international fora, including its upcoming G20 Presidency, provides an effective platform for others to gain from these experiences.”

The two events featuring high-level speakers and experts from across regions, reinforce the commitment of the three organisations to the development discourse and aim to generate continued dialogue, innovative partnerships, and new ideas in the pathway to accelerate the world’s progress towards the SDGs.