The Global Centre for Risk and Innovation (GCRI)

Join us for the defining event in the financial sector’s role in #globalrisk management. This is your opportunity to influence the future, connect with top-tier leaders in #financialservices, #sustainabledevelopment, and #sciencepolicy, ensuring your organization leads the charge in safeguarding communities and ecosystem services from the greatest challenges of our time. Register now to be part of the Global Risks Alliance (GRA) and help build a sustainable, resilient future for all.

WATCH LIVE: From the Summit of the Future to FfD4  Shaping the Future of Global Financing: Multi-Stakeholder Hearing for FfD4 🌍 We are on the path toward the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (#FfD4), scheduled to take place in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, 2025. As part of the official preparations, a multi-stakeholder hearing will serve as a platform for Member States, civil society, academia, the private sector, and philanthropic organizations to engage actively in shaping the outcomes of this critical event. A Collaborative Approach to Global Financing The hearing will foster inclusive dialogue across key actors, ensuring that voices from every corner of the globe contribute to the ambitious FfD4 agenda. Key sessions include: 🔹 Opening Session 🔹 CSO Dialogue – Amplifying the voice of civil society in development financing. 🔹 From the Summit of the Future to FfD4 – Bridging key outcomes and ensuring continuity between global frameworks. 🔹 Dialogue with the FfD4 Business Steering Committee – Engaging the private sector for sustainable solutions. 🔹 Fireside Chat with Leading Foundations and Philanthropic Organizations – Exploring the role of philanthropy in addressing financing challenges. The hearing emphasizes transparency, equitable geographic representation, and gender parity, ensuring that the dialogue reflects diverse perspectives and priorities. The discussions will directly inform the inputs into the various tracks of the Conference, strengthening collective efforts toward a transformative global financial framework. FfD4: A Critical Moment for Development The FfD4 Conference will address new and emerging challenges in development financing, assess progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and push forward efforts to reform the international financial architecture. It will build upon the outcomes of the: Monterrey Consensus Doha Declaration Addis Ababa Action Agenda These frameworks have guided global financing strategies, but with growing inequalities, climate challenges, and geopolitical shifts, FfD4 offers a crucial opportunity to reassess, innovate, and act. FfD4 is not just a conference—it is a global movement to ensure that the financing needed for sustainable development is mobilized and deployed effectively. The multi-stakeholder hearing represents a vital step in this journey, creating space for collaboration, accountability, and innovation. Together, we can shape the future of global financing and ensure the full realization of the SDGs, leaving no one behind. Watch live here: https://lnkd.in/g-GWaMem #FfD4 #SustainableDevelopment #GlobalFinancing #SDGs #InternationalCooperation #DevelopmentFinance #InclusiveDialogue #Philanthropy #PrivateSector #CivilSociety #UNConference #Seville2025 #GlobalPartnerships #FinancialReform #SDGImplementation #ClimateFinance

Breakthrough Discovery: 1-Cyanopyrene Identified in #DeepSpace 🌌 In an exciting advancement for #astrochemistry, astronomers have identified 1-cyanopyrene, a complex organic molecule, in the cold depths of the Taurus Molecular Cloud (TMC-1). This finding challenges assumptions about the formation of carbon-rich molecules in extreme space environments. Published in Science, the discovery has far-reaching implications for understanding the chemical origins of life. Key Highlights 💫 New Carbon Chemistry: 1-cyanopyrene, part of the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) family, was detected in TMC-1 at -263°C, proving that complex molecules can persist in cold interstellar regions. This challenges the belief that such molecules could only form near high-energy stars. 🔭 Technology Driving Discovery: The Green Bank Telescope, the world’s largest steerable radio telescope, detected the molecule by identifying its unique rotational spectrum. Microwave spectrometers from CfA provided precision measurements, surpassing quantum chemical predictions. 👥 Collaborative Research: Success was achieved through interdisciplinary efforts across astronomy, chemistry, and spectroscopy. NSF’s Harshal Gupta noted, “This breakthrough required synthetic chemists, astronomers, and instrument designers working in harmony.” 🚀 Implications for Life Beyond Earth: This discovery offers new insights into carbon’s role in prebiotic chemistry, opening doors for future research on even larger organic molecules. TMC-1 is now regarded as a “natural laboratory” for studying how molecular processes lead to star and planet formation—and potentially, the emergence of life. The detection of 1-cyanopyrene demonstrates that building blocks of life can form even in harsh, low-temperature environments. As technology and global collaboration advance, scientists are poised to unlock further secrets of cosmic chemistry—bringing us closer to understanding the potential for life beyond Earth. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gF4htNme #Astrochemistry #CarbonChemistry #CosmicDiscovery #PAH #TMC1 #OriginsOfLife #GreenBankTelescope #Astronomy #SpaceScience #InterstellarMedium #LifeBeyondEarth #ScientificBreakthrough #MolecularChemistry #Astrobiology #ResearchInnovation #CosmicChemistry #NSFScience #PrebioticChemistry #InterdisciplinaryResearch #FutureOfScience

Africa's Future Split: A New Ocean in the Making 🌊 #Africa is slowly splitting into two, creating a new ocean and transforming the continent’s landscape. Though this process will take millions of years, early signs are already visible along the East African Rift System (EARS), spanning #Ethiopia, #Kenya, #Tanzania, and #Mozambique. This gradual shift will eventually give landlocked countries like Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia access to the sea. Key Highlights 🗺️ Tectonic Shift in Motion: Over 50 million years, the Somali and Nubian plates will separate, shrinking Africa and forming a new island in the Indian Ocean. 🌋 Geological Activity: The African Superswell, an underlying mantle plume, drives rifting. Volcanic eruptions and seismic activity, such as Kenya’s 2018 crack, reflect the continent’s gradual transformation. 🌊 A New Ocean Emerges: Magma will form new oceanic crust, and water from the Indian Ocean will flood the Rift Valley, creating Africa’s future coastline. 🦴 A History of Drift: Africa’s shift is part of Earth’s long history of continental movement, similar to the breakup of Pangaea 230 million years ago. The East African Rift offers scientists a rare opportunity to observe continental drift in real time, highlighting the powerful geological forces shaping our planet. Though slow, the impact will be profound, reshaping Africa’s geography and ecosystems for generations to come. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g46-zy3y #Geology #EarthScience #ContinentalDrift #EastAfricanRift #NewOcean #SeismicActivity #GeographicTransformation #ClimateChange #NaturalProcesses #AfricaSplit

The Ionocaloric Refrigeration Cycle ❄️🌍 In a groundbreaking innovation, researchers have introduced the ionocaloric refrigeration cycle, a cutting-edge cooling technology that offers a sustainable, high-efficiency alternative to traditional methods relying on #hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). This new approach, published in Science, leverages ions in solution to create phase changes that eliminate the need for harmful refrigerants while delivering superior performance. Why It Matters 🔄 Traditional refrigeration systems rely heavily on HFCs, which have global warming potentials (GWPs) over 2,000 times that of CO₂. In contrast, the ionocaloric cycle is CO₂-neutral, using non-toxic, non-flammable materials to drive cooling processes. 💡 How It Works: By adding or removing ions, the system manipulates melting points, triggering endothermic or exothermic reactions that cool or heat the material. The result is a first-order phase transition that ensures continuous cooling with low energy input—functioning similarly to a Stirling refrigeration cycle. Key Benefits ⚡ Performance Gains: Temperature lift of 25°C using only 0.22 volts. 30% efficiency relative to Carnot—theoretical maximum efficiency. Higher entropy change per unit mass and volume compared to other caloric technologies. 🔧 Overcoming Challenges: Unlike magneto- and electrocaloric systems, #ionocaloriccooling requires less intense fields to achieve better performance. Electrodialysis membranes ensure efficient ion separation, scaling the system for continuous use with reduced operational costs. Future Applications 🌱 #SustainableCooling: Ideal for food storage, air conditioning, and medical equipment cooling. 🌍 #ClimateAction: This innovation aligns with global efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions, eliminating the environmental risks posed by HFCs. With further advancements, such as ternary phase systems and improved ion-exchange membranes, this technology could achieve even higher power densities and temperature lifts of up to 100°C—ushering in a new era of green refrigeration innovation. Learn more about how the ionocaloric refrigeration cycle is set to redefine cooling technologies and contribute to the global fight against climate change: https://lnkd.in/gzz3_nze #Innovation #ClimateAction #Sustainability #CoolingTechnology #IonocaloricCycle #Refrigeration #ScienceInnovation #EnergyEfficiency #GreenTech #Innovation #ClimateAction #Sustainability #CoolingTechnology #IonocaloricCycle #Refrigeration #GreenTech #EnergyEfficiency #ScienceInnovation #CO2Neutral #ZeroGWP #EcoFriendly #CleanTech #TechnologyForGood #CircularEconomy #FutureOfCooling #SmartCooling

🌍On this Intl. Day of #ClimateAction, let's recall that:   #Biodiversity loss & #ClimateChange are interconnected crises both driven by human economic activities & mutually reinforcing each other.🚢   Tackling both together is crucial.🌡️🦋💡

🌿 The IPBES #NexusAssessment Primer is now available online in all official UN languages (+ German)! Explore how #biodiversity, #water, #food, #health, and #climate are interlinked and stay tuned for the report launch at #IPBES11 ⤵️ On Tuesday, 17 December 2024, the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) plans to launch its Assessment Report on the interlinkages among biodiversity, water, food and health, in the context of climate change (known as the “Nexus Report”). The Report will be of direct interest and value to anyone who works in or reports on these fields. The Report highlights opportunities for action within and across the nexus elements of biodiversity, water, food, health and climate change, uncovering complementarities and trade-offs among response options relating to each. https://lnkd.in/d7YeZwsA #NexusAssessment Tackles Intertwined #GlobalCrises of #Biodiversity, #Water, #Food, #Health & #ClimateChange, #IPBES Experts Offer Response Options for Maximum Benefits ‘Bridging Single-Issue Silos through Integrated & Adaptive Decision-Making Report “Global crises in biodiversity, water, food, health and climate change often intensify each other when addressed separately and should therefore be tackled together. The Nexus Assessment is among the most ambitious work ever undertaken by the IPBES community, offering an unprecedented range of response options to move decisions and actions beyond single issue silos. Cascading crises can compound each other, but a nexus approach considers the interdependencies between these crises and offers holistic solutions that can improve outcomes across multiple sectors and systems.” - Prof. Paula Harrison, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Co-chair of the IPBES Nexus Assessment Addresses complex interlinkages among the nexus elements of biodiversity, water, food, health and climate change  Projects future interactions between these crises to the year 2100 across a number of different scenarios Offers wide range of concrete response options, with focus on maximising benefits for biodiversity, water, food, health and climate systems Explores the costs of inaction and of not addressing multiple crises together  Will support achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement  Prepared by 165 leading international experts from 57 countries, from all regions of the world Draws on 6,500 references, 3 years in development, at a total cost of more than $1.5 million Will inform decisions by actors and institutions (e.g., Governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples & local communities & private sector) managing, interacting with, influencing and affected by the nexus elements and their interactions.

🚨 Exciting Opportunity: Get Ready for the Informal Programme at GP2025! 🌍 United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is opening applications for the Informal Programme at the eighth session of the Global Platform for #Disaster #RiskReduction (#GP2025) in Geneva, Switzerland. This is your chance to showcase your work, share insights, and connect with the global disaster risk reduction (#DRR) community! 🌱💡 Here are three ways you can get involved: Side Events 🗣️ Discuss innovative ideas in DRR and contribute to global knowledge exchange and capacity building. 📅 Applications open: 30 Sept - 18 Oct 2024 Ignite Stage 🎤 Deliver a TED Talk-style presentation on a DRR-related project or initiative and inspire the global community. 📅 Applications open: 4 Nov - 22 Nov 2024 Innovation Platform 🚀 Showcase your cutting-edge innovations in DRR through a physical booth and connect with thousands of GP2025 participants. 📅 Applications open: 4 Nov - 22 Nov 2024 Stay tuned for updates on the GP2025 website and be sure to mark your calendars! 📆 For more info visit the website https://lnkd.in/gNVhT3sU Or reach out to the Global Platform Secretariat at globalplatform@un.org. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of the global conversation on resilience and disaster risk reduction. Don’t miss out! 🌍💡 #GP2025 #DRR #Resilience #Innovation #GlobalPlatform #UNDRR #RiskReduction #Sustainability #AI #ML #VR #Web3 #Blockchain #Quantum #Nuclear #BioTech #SDGs #ESG #Innovation

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) has opened applications for Side Events at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (#GP2025), taking place from 2-6 June 2025 in #Geneva, #Switzerland. These Side Events provide a valuable opportunity for the global #disasterriskreduction #DRR community to present and discuss innovative ideas, projects, and partnerships that complement the main sessions of the GP2025. A total of 15 Side Event slots are available, and applications will be accepted until 18 October 2024. The Global Centre for Risk and Innovation (GCRI) is proud to serve as a member of Technical Session TS 1-3. Harnessing #science, #technology and #innovation to reduce risk at GP2025. This session, aligned with Priority 1 of the #SendaiFramework, focuses on leveraging science, emerging technologies, and innovation to enhance global risk reduction strategies. We encourage interested organizations from governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector to apply for Side Events and contribute to the rich discussions at GP2025. This is a prime opportunity to showcase your work in disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and sustainability while engaging with global leaders and experts in the field. For more details on eligibility and the application process, please refer to the Guidance Note for GP2025 Side Events and visit the GP2025 website. https://lnkd.in/eh3Mi-Pb You can also contact the Global Platform Secretariat at globalplatform@un.org for further information. Be a part of shaping the future of global disaster resilience—submit your Side Event application today! #AI #Web3 #Blockchain #ML #Quantum #Nuclear #BioTech #GlobalRisks #SDGs #ESG #Risks

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue—it's a boardroom priority. The European Commission #NIS2 Directive is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape, imposing stricter obligations on a wider range of sectors to ensure the resilience of critical infrastructures. 🛡️ 🔍 What is the NIS2 Directive? The NIS2 Directive is the EU's updated cybersecurity legislation aimed at achieving a high common level of cybersecurity across all Member States. It expands the scope to include additional sectors such as: ⚡ Energy 🚆 Transport 🏥 Health 🌐 Digital Infrastructure 🏭 Manufacturing and more. Critical Transposition Deadline: 🗓️ October 17, 2024 By this date, Member States must transpose NIS2 into national law, and organizations within scope must comply with the new requirements. Why It Matters to Your Organization: 📋 Expanded Obligations: More entities are now subject to stringent cybersecurity measures. ⚖️ Management Accountability: Executives are directly responsible for compliance and can face penalties for non-compliance. 🔗 Supply Chain Security: Emphasis on assessing and mitigating third-party risks. 💶 Harmonized Enforcement: Uniform penalties across the EU, including substantial fines. 🤝 How The Global Centre for Risk and Innovation (GCRI) Can Assist: 🔍 Expert Consultancy: Assess your current cybersecurity posture and develop a strategic roadmap to compliance. 🎓 Tailored Training Programs: Equip your leadership and teams with the knowledge to meet NIS2 obligations. 🖥️ Systems Integration: Implement advanced cybersecurity solutions to strengthen your defenses. 🚀 Next Steps: Don't wait until the deadline approaches. Proactive measures are essential to ensure compliance and protect your organization's reputation and assets. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/guDnSsBE #NIS2Directive, #Cybersecurity, #ExecutiveLeadership, #GCRI, #RiskManagement, #Compliance, #CyberRisk, #DigitalResilience, #CyberThreats, #EURegulations, #SupplyChainSecurity, #DataProtection, #InformationSecurity, #CyberAwareness, #BusinessContinuity, #ITGovernance, #RegulatoryCompliance, #CyberStrategy, #CyberSecurityTraining, #CyberSecurityConsulting #DataSecurity