Second edition of Building Bridges, the flagship initiative in the field of sustainable finance

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Launched in Geneva in 2019 in order to influence the international agenda and drive the future of sustainable finance, Building Bridges will call on international financial stakeholders, UN governmental authorities, NGOs and the academic world, thereby bringing together a wide range of competences in the fields of finance and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This edition will kick off on Monday 29 November 2021 with the Building Bridges Summit. This will bring together a unique panel of Swiss and foreign leaders as well as world-renowned speakers focussing on a common vision and goal: to accelerate ecological transition towards a global economic model in line with the imperatives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with finance as the catalyst.

The renowned speakers whose attendance has already been confirmed include Ueli Maurer, Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Finance; Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever; Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organization; Patricia Danzi, Head of the Swiss Development and Cooperation Directorate; Clara Barby, CEO of Impact Management Platform; and many others. 

77 events to promote a sustainable financial system

Most events will be held on site in Geneva, with some sessions broadcast live online for an international audience. The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be addressed between Monday 29 November and Thursday 2 December 2021. Numerous events, including the Summit, will be marked by announcements and tangible commitments. Taking advantage of the unique ecosystem in Switzerland and Geneva, Building Bridges is the fruit of a collective effort designed to combine high-level support with broad community involvement. To this end, the week’s programme has been determined by the different stakeholders with a view to creating a genuine movement and collective ownership, rather than a one-way discussion. 

All these events are designed to drive forward the funding of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and cover a wide range of issues such as health, biodiversity, climate change, the circular economy, human rights, inequalities, decent employment, water and the oceans, food and agriculture, gender, humanitarian action and peace. 

Building Bridges 2021 will be held at the Maison de la Paix, Forum Genève, the Impact Hub and the Campus Biotech.

Registration is free and open to anyone interested in sustainable finance via the movement’s website at www.buildingbridges.org