Good morning, this is Kasmira, editor-in-chief of Geneva Solutions. All eyes are on the looming US presidential election. But in another candidacy race a bit closer to home, the World Trade Organization will this week hold final talks to determine which of the two remaining candidates - Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala or Yoo Myung-hee - will become its next leader.

Plus, we're feeling hopeful about six Swiss start-up projects creating sustainable solutions and a new partnership between the UN and the European Investment Fund.

26.10.2020

Today’s reason for hope

Swiss start-up Natureloop found an alternative use for some of the 21m tonnes of coconut husk generated each year. (Photo: Thomas G./Pixabay)

Six innovation projects win grants for helping to address sustainability goals. From a company making building materials out of coconut husks to an EPFL spin-off that has developed a composite material that can "heal" and extend the life of products: six start-ups helping to address the UN's sustainable development goals were awarded CHF85,000 each by Switzerland Innovation's Tech4Impact initiative.

Startupticker.ch (EN)

Business and Finance News

World Trade Organization leadership race nears the finish line. The organization will this week hold final talks in Geneva to determine which of the two remaining candidates will become its next director-general.

Geneva Solutions (EN)

United Nations and European Investment Fund join forces to develop joint initiatives for sustainable finance and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNDP (EN)

The sustainable debt market has become unsustainable The EU's first social bond - as in the middle initial of ESG - was 14 times oversubscribed, making it likely the biggest debt sale ever. But is this runaway demand a good sign?

Bloomberg Quint (EN)

Here's what else is happening

UN treaty banning nuclear weapons to take effect after a 50th country ratifies the text.
France24 (EN)
New fighting flares over Nagorno-Karabakh as Aliyev warns against Russian involvement.
Reuters (EN)
Who in Europe is getting it right on Covid-19? Different approaches are having notably different outcomes.
The Guardian (EN)
Sudan and Israel agree to normalise relations. UN expresses hope ‘new opportunities’ will arise from the deal.
UN News (EN)
Editorial cartoonist Patrick Chappatte will be awarded the Fondation pour Genève's annual prize at a ceremony this week.
Le Temps (EN)
France recalls Turkey envoy after Erdogan says Macron needs 'mental check'
BBC (EN)
Vaccine storage issues could leave 3 billion people without access.
AP News (EN)

Image of the day

United Nations via Instagram

Buildings around the world turn blue to mark the United Nations' 75th anniversary. The organisation officially came into existence on 24 October, 1945, when the UN Charter, agreed four months earlier, came into force. Starting out with 51 members, it now counts 193 member states with Switzerland joining in 2002.

Next on the agenda

26-27 October | SIIA Impact Summit Organised by the Swiss Impact Investment Association, this virtual summit will focus on the topics of the planet, humanity and finance.

SIIA Summit (EN)

26 October: Geneva Talks on UN75: a conversation on tech and governance with Brad Smith, president of Microsoft Among the questions to be discussed: How would the UN be structured if it was created today?

Swissnex San Francisco (EN)

27-29 October | Verge 20 – The Platform for Accelerating Clean Economy This California-based online event will explore how companies, cities and communities can accelerate the clean economy.

VERGE 20 (EN)

GS news is a new media project covering the world of international cooperation and development. Don’t hesitate to forward our newsletter!

Have a good day!

Avenue du Bouchet 2
1209 Genève
Suisse