Microsoft is joining the WBCSD, another step in our efforts to use the power of technology to unleash a new era of safe and sustainable growth across the globe.
It’s incredible and humbling to be on this transformational journey with so many ambitious digital leaders. Come visit us at booth No. C46 if you’re in Toronto or follow our stories at our press site.
Read about Microsoft’s partnership with WE Day and what Microsoft is doing to enable people to get jobs, create new ventures and better their communities.
I’m thrilled to be speaking today at Smart Cities NYC ’17, the first conference in the U.S. that explores the intersection of technology and urban life. The world is undergoing an urban renaissance as more people move to cities to build better lives.
The World Bank indicates that for the first time ever, the majority of the world’s population live in a city, and this proportion continues to grow. One hundred years ago, 2 out of every 10 people lived in an urban area. By 2050 it’s projected that 7 out of 10 people will live in a city.
The United Kingdom (UK) remains one of the world’s foremost tech and start-up economies. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum, (WEF) the UK ranks 8th out of 143 in effectiveness for digital technology. However, as we see globally, the UK is not without its challenges, particularly as it relates to education and health.
I recently came back from Singapore where we launched our first combined Transparency and Cybersecurity Center. Today, I’m pleased to announce that we are launching a new Transparency Center in Brasilia, which will serve Latin America governments and enterprise customers and form part of the global network now covering 4 regions.
Technology seems to be everywhere – but for a substantial part of the world, its benefits are elusive. The World Bank’s World Development Report 2016, “Digital Dividends,” released in January 2016, finds that technological changes have not improved access to public services or increased economic opportunities as had been expected.
With the advent of what has been labelled by some as a new 4th industrial revolution, there is an opportunity for us to enable businesses, organizations and governments worldwide to leverage the latest technology advances and drive toward measurable societal and economic impact so every person on the planet benefits.
At the United Nations General Assembly this week we’ll discuss the myriad of ways that country leaders plan to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. 193 countries signed on to these goals last year, which focus on solving major, global societal issues related to economic, social and environmental challenges.