UNDP Tech, Innovation and Sustainable Development

A graphic listing the titles and hero images of the five blogs of the Air Pollution Blog Series. The first blog is titled "Leveraging Low-Cost Sensor (LCS) Solutions for Hyperlocal Air Quality Monitoring". The second blog is titled "Applications of LCS for Citizen Engagement and Air Pollution Mitigation". The third blog is on "Integrating LCS with Advanced Analyses and Applications for Improving Air Quality Management". The fourth is titled "Innovative Air Quality Monitoring in Singapore: Insights from a LCS Study by the National Environment Agency (NEA)". The last blog is titled "Enabling Access to Air Quality Data: Global Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting Products".

Access to air quality data is critical for awareness of air pollution levels before steps can be taken to protect human health. #ClimateSky

Together with the National Environment Agency, we designed a blog series exploring the real world application & potential of low-cost sensors: go.undp.org/wKL

BOOST x CEF: Green Urban Tech - BOOST

Applications are now open for the BOOST x CEF: Green Urban Tech call for innovations!

UNDP is calling on innovators worldwide to submit their digital, AI, or blockchain-powered solutions that help cities become greener, smarter, and more resilient. Apply by 19 October: bit.ly/4gneC8C

Ask leaders in tech about the digital future. Submit your question to Digital@UNGA by 19 September 2025.

By joining our #DigitAllVoices campaign, you can help shape the future of the digital world.

Share your questions about our digital future by September 19, and we will pass them on to technology sector leaders. ➡️ bit.ly/3VeAjOn

An image of the Singapore skyline, overlaid by the title of the report: "Singapore Business Carbon Report 2024", and a description: "Carbon reporting becomes business critical. From 2025, all Singapore-listed firms must disclose emissions. This regulatory shift is a pivotal step toward greater transparency and climate accountability. Download the report to learn more."

Recently, we had the privilege to contribute to UN Global Compact Network Singapore's latest Business Carbon Report, discussing policy design approaches for carbon tax, & how digital tools can support the different phases of carbon tax adoption.

Access the report: unglobalcompact.sg/tools-resour...

Quote card featuring a comment by Celina Yong, Senior Regional Technical Advisor, UNDP: “High-integrity carbon markets require more than just carbon accounting. Countries need credible baselines, independent verification, safeguards for indigenous and local communities, and transparent registries to build trust and ensure benefits flow back to host countries.”

Effective decarbonization is not only about adopting the right tools or frameworks.

Learn more about the role of digital technologies and other considerations for making carbon markets work: www.undp.org/policy-centr...

A quote card featuring a comment by Maitreyee Mukherjee, Research Fellow, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, LKYSPP: “You can’t just take a textbook version of carbon tax and assume it will work. You need to look at your institutions, your political economy, your data systems. That’s where the work really begins.”

What does it take to turn climate ambition into action❓

Earlier, we held our Accelerator for Decarbonization Programme, inviting practitioners and partners to explore tools and exchange experiences for mutual learning.

Check out the key takeaways: www.undp.org/policy-centr...

Screenshot of the "Healthy Cities by Design: Green Infrastructure and Climate Resilience" Zoom webinar in progress, hosted by UNDP and the Centre for Liveable Cities on 22 July 2025.

Recap blog and recording of our webinar is now available!

Highlights include:
⚖️ How equitable urban design serves as the foundation for healthy cities
🌱 How UNDP is supporting locally-led climate adaptation in Bangladesh
☀️ Practical strategies for reducing urban heat

👉 undp.org/policy-centr...

From the beginning, UNDP has pioneered solutions alongside partners to tackle humanity's most pressing challenges, including poverty, inequality and climate change.

And as the world has evolved, so have we.

Check out our history and milestones: feature.undp.org/undp-at-60/

#UNDP60

An infographic featuring the UN SDG colour wheel, with a paragraph alongside each SDG explaining how testbeds contribute to achieving that particular goal.

By placing people at the heart of experimentation, testbeds can help transform uncertainty into opportunity, build trust, and drive sustainable development.

💡 Find out how in our latest Handbook for Building People-Centric Testbeds: www.undp.org/policy-centr...

In shaping smarter cities, an expanded digital and innovation toolkit is essential. #OpenSource tools are important additions that can improve:

✅Transparency
✅Agility
✅Resident engagement

More on how open source can drive sustainable urban development 👉 go.undp.org/o2H

Several cities have used #digitaltwins to understand, monitor, simulate and optimize urban systems.

Through the Punggol Digital District in Singapore, learn how a 50-hectare business park can be transformed into a living lab for sustainability and innovation: go.undp.org/wx7

📹: dConstruct Robotics

How do we put 'Responsible AI' into action and impact?

In our latest blog with GovTech Singapore and AI Singapore, we discuss how AI governance tools, AI skills and capabilities development help to unlock AI's potential in advancing #sustainabledevelopment for all.

Read here: go.undp.org/wc6

Creating smarter cities goes far beyond deploying technology.

While #smartcities focus on deploying technical solutions to urban challenges, #smartercities seek to enhance the wellbeing of its residents.

How can we guide the development of people-centered smarter cities? go.undp.org/wiH

Screenshot of the online learning session underway with a slide showing a table of how CBDCs compare to other forms of digital and non-digital currencies on the left. On the right is a column of speakers who participated in the webinar, namely, Heng Wang (Professor of Law, Singapore Management University), Thomas Beloe (Director, UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub), Prerna Saxena (Head of Asia Pacific, Better Than Cash Alliance), Sirin Kumar (General Manager, FinTech Department, RBI), and Swapnil Kumar Shanu, Assistant General Manager, RBI).

How can we drive financial inclusion through Central Bank Digital Currencies?

We recently released a methodology paper unpacking the 5 steps of CBDC implementation, alongside an online learning session with the authors & experts from the Reserve Bank of India.

📄Read the full paper: go.undp.org/wwo

Cover of the fourth article of our Novel Agrifood Technologies for Sustainable Development Series, titled "How Precision Agriculture can Play a Transformative Role in Smallholder Food Production", featuring motifs of drones and irrigation systems in agriculture.

#PrecisionAgriculture 🌱 can help improve productivity, yields, and support smarter decision making.

But more can be done to its accessibility to smallholder farmers 👩‍🌾 globally.

➡️ Learn more in our latest article: go.undp.org/w4t

#foodsystems #SustainableAgriculture

Poster of the webinar titled "Healthy Cities by Design: Green Infrastructure and Climate Resilience", with details of the speakers: Tan Shin Bin (Assistant Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore), Yugesh Pradhanang (International Programme Manager, UNDP Bangladesh), and Cristina Kuo Lin (Divisional Director, Atelier Ten, an SJ company). The event will be held on 22 July 2025, 4pm (Singapore time).

As we confront growing climate risks and urbanization, reimagining the built environment is increasingly a necessity.

Next week, we'll be exploring how cities can use climate-responsive design and digital innovation to build healthier urban environments.

Join us on Zoom 👉 bit.ly/hcdgicr

Infographic summarizing the key takeaways of the four sessions of the Accelerator Program, together with screenshots of the sessions in progress. Session 1 was on Carbon Pricing in an Evolving Carbon Economy, Session 2 on CBAM Fair Pathways for Developing Countries, Session 3 on Carbon Markets and Analytics, and Session 4 on Country Insights and Digital Innovations for Decarbonization.

We just wrapped up the first edition of our Accelerator Program on Harnessing Innovation in Decarbonization Policies!

A big thank you to all trainers and participants for joining us on this journey to explore how carbon pricing and innovation can drive climate action. Some highlights below ⬇️

A collage of various urban initiatives and projects by UNDP in different parts of the world.

As cities expand, emerging tech offer both new opportunities and challenges. However, their success depends on thoughtful implementation.

Our latest blog explores how people-centred approaches are shaping smarter, more inclusive, and resilient cities: www.undp.org/policy-centr...

Mr Joe Hooper, Director of the UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development, delivering opening remarks at the programme.

A man conducting a demonstration involving a circuit board in front of a group of participants.

A group of participants in a green screen room.

A formal group photograph of all attendees.

At the “Leadership & Governance in this Era of Digital Technologies” FOSS for Good Executive Program with MFA Singapore & UNDP Digital Capacity Lab!

This unique opportunity brought officials from 17 FOSS member states in town, fostering an exchange of practical experiences on #digitaltransformation

Screenshot of our Zoom webinar titled 'A Cross-Domain Approach to Sustainable Urban Mobility'. The slide shows three event highlights listed: 1. Discover how digital tools and policy reforms shape urban transport systems. 2. Learn how smart solutions inform city planning and decision-making. 3. Join researchers and experts to explore scalable ideas for sustainable urban futures. At the side, there is a column showing the videos of the six speakers.

📣 Summary and recording now available!

Together with the Centre for Liveable Cities, we invited an international panel of experts from industry and academia to explore cross-domain solutions to sustainable urban mobility.

📺 Watch the video and read the lecture report: www.undp.org/policy-centr...

Screenshot of our internal Zoom webinar on Global Deep Tech Ecosystems: Catalyzing Innovation for Sustainable Development. The slide shows select pages of the report, and a QR code that leads to the report download. At the side, there is a column showing the videos of the five speakers.

At UNDP, we recognize the potential of #deeptech 🧪 to tackle some of the most complex development challenges.

That’s why our new report provides a global scan of deep tech ecosystems, offering actionable insights for governments, ecosystem enablers, and innovators: go.undp.org/Uuy

Event poster of "Building Responsible Smart Cities: A Toolkit for Public and Private Sector Action" happening on 11 July 2025 from 9am to 12pm in Singapore.

📢 Join us in Singapore on 11 July to launch the @undp.org and @ihrb.bsky.social toolkit on building responsible smart cities, designed to help governments and businesses center 🎯 equity, accountability and participation in digital urban solutions.

Register 👉 forms.cloud.microsoft/e/aqJvwFRDDP

Event poster of the Healthy Cities by Design Zoom webinar, which will be held on 22 July 2025 at 4pm (Singapore time). The poster features an image of a building with lush greenery and a description box that says: Explore how digital innovation and climate-responsive design can be harnessed as part of a systems approach to urban health. Draw insights from existing initiatives that integrate climate considerations into urban planning.

🌱Save the date for our upcoming webinar on Healthy Cities by Design: Green Infrastructure and Climate Resilience!

As climate threats intensify, integrating resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions becomes crucial for protecting public health. Learn more with us on 22 July: bit.ly/hcdgicr

Photo collage of the panel on stage at SuperAI 2025, featuring Nuno Sebastião (Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Feedzai), Joe Hooper (Director, UNDP Global Centre Singapore), Angela Chee (Director, Special Projects AI, A*STAR I²R) and Chi Hung Chi (Senior Principal Research Scientist, Nanyang Technological University).

Excellent conversations around "When Machine's Decide: Who Do you Trust?" at #SuperAI!

Alongside Feedzai, NTU and A*STAR in Singapore, we unpacked what trust means from a cultural, subjective, and use-case perspective, and the value of leveraging existing sectoral accountability mechanisms.

A collage of illustrations that represent each of the 10 case studies in the report titled "Carbon Tax in an Evolving Carbon Economy". The case studies examine carbon tax implementation in Singapore, Chile, Colombia, British Columbia, Sweden, South Africa, France, Switzerland and Australia.

Thoughtful policy design and digital solutions can strengthen #carbontax systems to achieve climate mitigation targets, gain political acceptance, and promote social equity.

Examine how countries are blending instruments and leveraging digital tools to enhance implementation: go.undp.org/3J2

An infographic explaining briefly what quantum tech is, and why it matters for SDGs, with use cases in healthcare, climate, disaster response and secure communications, along with a short description on how quantum technology is gaining momentum globally.

⚛️ As quantum technologies transition from lab to real-world applications, they're creating powerful tools for sustainable development.

🧪 Find out how quantum technologies are showing promise in healthcare, climate, energy, and institutional resilience: www.undp.org/policy-centr...

An infographic showcasing three space tech that can help build sustainable cities: Synthetic Aperture Radar, Edge-AI, and Space-Based Solar Power

🛰️ Reimagining city development with space technology?

From satellite imagery that tracks green cover to advanced radar technology mapping land subsidence, space-based solutions can help cities become more resilient and sustainable

➡️ Read our latest deep tech blog here: www.undp.org/policy-centr...

AI-generated image of a colourful globe in the middle surrounded by data visualization charts

Access to data can help spur action against air pollution!

📡 Across the globe, communities are turning to open-access air quality data to forecast air pollution events and push for cleaner, healthier cities.

🧪 Learn more about the resources available: www.undp.org/policy-centr...

MOU Signing Ceremony between AI Singapore and UNDP. In the front row, Joe Hooper (Director, UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development) and Koo Sengmeng (Director, AI Talent Development, AISG) are seated and holding a copy of the signed MOU each. In the second row stands Robert Opp (Chief Digital Officer, UNDP) and Prof Mohan Kankanhalli (Deputy Executive Chairman, AISG).

🤝 Excited to be collaborating with AI Singapore to expand access to AI learning and bridge the digital divide!

Together, we'll be bringing the #AI4Good program beyond Singapore to support six pilot countries across Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean: www.undp.org/policy-centr...

Poster of the event titled "Green Data in Asia: Can the Region Balance Digital Growth with Sustainability?", happening on 28 May 2025, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at 32 Carpenter Street, Singapore 059911. The fireside chat will (a) Examine the implications of the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure across Asia; (b) Explore practical technology and operational levers for greener data; and (c) Set out policy and finance pathways that encourage green digital transformation.

⌛️ Happening tomorrow!

Join the conversation at SGInnovate as Robert Opp from UNDP, Prof Lee Poh Seng from the Energy Studies Institute, and Rita Abdellatifi from Microsoft rethink data infrastructure in an era of climate urgency and AI expansion.

Save your spot: www.sginnovate.com/event/green-...