The UAE’s Government Experience Exchange Program (GEEP), under the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, has launched a Global Ideation Lab in partnership with New York University (NYU), further strengthening its commitment to global knowledge sharing and sustainable development.
The workshop was held in New York alongside the UAE delegation’s participation in the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development 2025, organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
The Global Ideation Lab brought together 26 ministers, academics, UN officials, diplomats, and students from across the world to explore innovative solutions in governance, sustainable development, and global cooperation.
Notable participants at the Global Ideation Lab included Annemarie Hou, Executive Director of the UN Office of Partnerships, and Patrick Paul Walsh, Vice President of Education and Director of the SDG Academy at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
Diplomats and sustainability leaders from Switzerland, Portugal, Ireland, Serbia, Paraguay, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Eswatini, and other nations were also in attendance. Delegates from the UAE, NYU faculty and administration, and 30 students from NYU, Stanford, and the University of Pennsylvania also took part.
The Global Ideation Lab served as a dynamic platform designed to generate ideas and foster collaboration among stakeholders from government, academia, and international organizations. It focused on aligning policy with academic insight, enabling inclusive participation in tackling urgent governance and sustainability challenges.
Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, described the UAE’s approach as ‘comprehensive and collaborative’, noting that GEEP plays a vital role in driving scalable partnerships and effective knowledge exchange.
His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah UAE Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs- Competitiveness and Experience Exchange
“In the UAE, we have successfully built a pioneering model for international cooperation based on knowledge exchange with countries and governments, and GEEP is a crucial part of this endeavor. We are committed to involving various sectors, particularly academia, and cooperating with everyone in developing solutions to urgent global challenges, including developmental challenges, and expanding frameworks for sharing, transferring, and exchanging best government practices to help achieve sustainable development.”
He added that the joint Global Ideation Lab between GEEP and NYU exemplifies the collaborative approach we adopt in the UAE to develop best practices that enhance readiness for present and future opportunities.
The session also contributed to advancing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by linking academic knowledge with policymaking and encouraging the design of practical, scalable solutions. It highlighted GEEP’s role as a catalyst for innovation in governance and its function as an incubator for international cooperation and sustainable development.
The Global Ideation Lab was held in the context of the HLPF, the UN’s main platform for reviewing progress on the 2030 Agenda. Established in 2012, the forum monitors national and global SDG performance. This year’s focus included in depth reviews of SDG3, SDG5, SDG8, SDG14, and SDG17, covering topics such as health, gender equality, economic growth, ocean sustainability, and global partnerships. By aligning its knowledge sharing initiatives with the global development agenda, the UAE continues to position itself as a proactive contributor to international cooperation and sustainable progress.
