On October 16, 2024, Professor Guo Huadong, Director General of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development (CBAS), held a virtual meeting with Amandeep Gill, Under-Secretary-General and the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology. The discussion focused on the role of digital technologies and Earth observation data in driving global sustainable development.
During the meeting, Professor Guo highlighted the achievements of CBAS, which has become a global leader in leveraging big data for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He shared updates on the center’s latest research initiatives, international collaborations, and their efforts to provide scientific and technological support for SDG implementation.
A key focus of the discussion was the “Beijing Declaration on Partnership for Accelerating Sustainable Development through Digital Technologies,” which was released during the 2024 International Forum on Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (FBAS 2024). This declaration calls for joint efforts among international experts, UN member states, and stakeholders to harness the power of digital technologies and Big Earth Data to accelerate progress toward the SDGs.
The declaration outlines seven key actions aimed at reinvigorating global sustainable development efforts, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and technological innovation. Professor Guo expressed his strong commitment to supporting these efforts and highlighted CBAS’s role in providing advanced research and open data to support global initiatives. He also praised the forum’s contributions to fostering dialogue and action on how digital technologies can address urgent global challenges.
The meeting underscored the shared goal of mobilizing digital resources for the SDGs, with both Professor Guo and Mr. Gill agreeing on the need for continued international collaboration. The UN Tech Envoy acknowledged CBAS’s achievements and expressed the UN’s support for its ongoing initiatives, stressing the importance of data sharing and technology for achieving the SDGs.
Looking ahead, both parties emphasized the need to sustain momentum through enhanced partnerships, particularly in areas where digital and data-driven solutions can make a critical impact on sustainable development efforts worldwide.