Samsung Global Goals: Tech giant unveils SDG app

The new 'Samsung Global Goals' app will be available in 19 languages as Samsung looks to "mobilise the next generation of citizens to take action and achieve the Goals together"

The application, titled Samsung Global Goals, will be available for all Galaxy device users and will be pre-installed on the Galaxy Note 10 in 19 different languages, with availability to other devices later.

It will be an educational and donation-based app which will also be made available with special-edition accessories that will be sold through Samsung’s main website and US and Korean stores, including a special SDG device cover and wireless charger.

DJ Koh, president and chief executive of IT and mobile communications at Samsung Electronics, said: “Our partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will provide Galaxy users with easy, impactful ways to learn about the Global Goals and support the causes important to them so we can collectively make a difference.”

The South Korean firm believes that awareness and understanding of the SDGs – and why they are so important – is critical to their delivery by 2030. Additionally, Samsung hopes that providing simple ways for people to donate to address the challenges will also assist in “fuelling the actions” required to meet the Goals.

The app contains information on each of the 17 SDGs and how device owners can take part in actions to support issues that matter to them. Customers can use the app to donate directly to the Goals through the UN Development Programme (UNDP) website as well as the option to donate through in-app advertisements with 100% of cash going to the SDGs.

“Joint effort”

Commenting on the new partnership, UNDP administrator Achim Steiner said it will enable “technological innovation in achieving the SDGs” and “mobilise the next generation of global citizens to take action and achieve the goals together”.

Steiner said: “Only with a joint effort by everyone – private sector, civil society, and people across the world – can we truly have impact and change the world for the better.”

Samsung’s new app comes off the back of numerous private-sector announcements to step up support for the SDGs and align sustainability strategies with the Goals – especially SDG13, which focuses on Climate Action.

The UK Government recently launched a voluntary review into how the nation’s business community is contributing to the SDGs, which followed a report from the UK Stakeholders for Sustainable Development that revealed the nation was only performing well on 24% of targets considered relevant to the domestic delivery of the Goals.

James Evison