When world leaders met at the annual United Nations General Assembly last month, the overriding message was that the global community must do more if we are to achieve the 2030 Global Agenda, the blueprint to secure the peace and prosperity of our people and planet.

Amid a raft of global challenges, it would be easy to look at the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and feel despondent about our ability to eradicate poverty, eliminate inequality and tackle climate change. These seem like lofty goals, admittedly, but by localising the agenda and by learning from the answers that already exist in our communities, schools and local government, it is possible to create a better future for us all.

This is where Expo 2020’s Global Best Practice programme, under the theme of ‘small steps, big leaps: simple solutions for sustainable impact’ comes in.

Simple yet effective

A feature of all World Expos, the Global Best Practice programme seeks out and spotlights simple, effective, local solutions – projects based on community efforts, indigenous knowledge and simple technology that are already up and running, demonstrating success and can be easily replicated or adapted for enhanced global impact.

We received 1,175 submissions from 141 countries, proof that with so many practical answers already out there, there is no need to always ‘reinvent the wheel’.

An international selection committee had the difficult task of narrowing those projects down to just 25 that will be showcased to the millions of visitors – as well as 192 nations, multilateral organisations, businesses and educational establishments – expected to attend Expo 2020 Dubai.

The selected projects include an ingenious, low-cost, solar-powered water disinfection solution that helps prevent water-borne diseases; innovative flood mitigation in the form of ‘amphibious housing’; an initiative that helps traditional mountain communities survive and thrive; and an urban farming project that champions the grow-your-own food movement.

Expo 2020 will shine a light on these projects plus many ‘untold stories’ from individuals, communities, academia, businesses, international organisations and governments – that all tackle real world issues including eradicating hunger, enhancing health and well-being, boosting access to education, supporting employment opportunities and combatting climate change.

For six months, the largest event ever held in the Arab world and the first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, in line with its belief that best practices should not only be celebrated, but should also drive us forward as we seek to find creative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

This is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ – the Expo 2020 theme – in action.

Shahbano Tirmizi (pictured), senior manager strategic initiatives at Expo 2020 Dubai, is responsible for the Global Best Practice Programme

To tell your untold story and to find out more about the selected projects, visit: www.expo2020dubai.com/en/programmes/best-practice-programme

Cover image courtesy of: (clockwise from left)

1: Mountain Partnership / FAO, FAO Edson Vandeira ©

2: Sustainable Growers Rwanda, Clay Enos ©

3: WFP Bhutan, World Food Programme, Ngyuen Duc-Hoang ©

4: Heloiz Austria ‘Wadi Soroti’, Annette Etges ©