Sony to support UNOPS innovation centre in Lund, Sweden

LUND, SWEDEN – October 21, 2019 – Sony will be the first business partner to provide support to the new UNOPS Global Innovation Centre in Lund, Sweden. Opening today, the centre will develop cutting-edge and disruptive technology to address the Sustainable Development Goals.

 The cooperation between the public and private sectors and academia will be a key to solving complex global sustainability challenges. This is the foundation for the new UNOPSGlobal Innovation Centre in Lund, Sweden, which will serve as an arena for close collaboration between stakeholders from different parts of the society.

“The scale and ambition of the Sustainable Development Goals mean that we all need to work together to find innovative solutions to our world’s biggest challenges. This centre provides a space to foster partnerships that help think outside the box and achieve a better world for all,” said Grete Faremo, UNOPS Executive Director.

The new centre lies in close proximity to one of Sony’s largest R&D innovation centre outside of Japan. In Lund, Sony has gathered many of its researchers in 5G, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and connectivity. Lund is also the European hub for the Sony Startup Acceleration Program (SSAP),which aims to realizing the creator’s vision arising from companies, start-ups, universities, and NPOs by providing know-how and environment necessary for business innovation and incubation.

To further pursue innovation in the region and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, Sony will now support the UNOPS Global Innovation Centre, following an agreement between UNOPS and Sony.

“Sony joining forces with UNOPS builds on a long tradition where Sony engages in activities that generate both economic and social value to contribute to developing a sustainable society. The Sustainable Development Goals constitute an important framework for any company, and Sony wants to play an active role in helping society reach these goals”, said Stefan Andersson, Site manager for Sony in Lund.

Sony is the first company to support the new UNOPS Global Innovation Centre in Lund. Members of Sony Startup Acceleration Program (SSAP) Europe already attended a UNOPS hackathon in Antigua and Barbuda and in February, they hosted a two-day workshop with experts from both organisations.

“Cross-border collaboration between a UN organisation and a technology company results in exciting perspectives and ideas. We know this from our initial activities with UNOPS and we are thrilled about the opportunity to work with UNOPS in the ideation, incubation and introduction of new solutions for a more sustainable world”, said Anders Ahlgren, Head of SSAP Europe.

“We welcome Sony’s support for UNOPS Global Innovation Centre, and look forward to working together to develop innovative ideas that improve lives,” said Grete Faremo.

For more information, please contact:

Stefan Olsson, PlankPR

stefan.olsson@plankpr.se