UNFPA partnered with Egypt's Ministry of International Cooperation, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology among other partners from the private sector, international development organizations and the entrepreneurial community to launch ‘ClimaTech Run’ on August 22.

ClimaTech Run is a multi-stage program for tech entrepreneurs and digital artists who share a collective passion for sustainability and technology to present creative solutions to challenges posed by climate change.

The program builds on young people’s power to use technology and their force of creativity to spark climate solutions. This comes in line with the global sentiment that calls for new stories and narratives that connect to and reflect the values and views of the world’s youth.

From matchmaking opportunities to mentorship and capacity-building programs, tech entrepreneurs and digital artists will be provided with a chance to step on the stage and present their works and ideas at COP27. There will also be special prizes for the winners, including: a grand prize of USD 100,000, and a top African Startup of USD 50,000 for African entrepreneurs.

The launching ceremony took place in Le Lac du Caire and included the participation of H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of International Cooperation, H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Egypt’s Minister of Environment, H.E. Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and more than 300 representatives from the US Embassy, USAID, UNFPA, WFP, Google, Afreximbank, UNIDO, and others.

“There is a role for all of us in climate action. The youth are especially fundamental in finding new, innovative solutions. Today, the Ministries of International Cooperation, Environment, and Communications and Information Technology, launched the ClimaTech Run competition, which engages tech startups and digital artists in addressing climate change; an opportunity for the youth to transform proposals into tangible projects. We look forward to welcoming the finalists at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh.” H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation.

“Women and young people need to be at the heart of climate debates, that is why UNFPA has a particular interest in initiatives such as ClimaTech,” UNFPA Representative Frederika Meijer said, “when coming up with solutions to climate challenges, we must not overlook its impact on both groups.”

Fusing the power of culture with technology, the competition has two complementing tracks: the first track is for global tech entrepreneurs (ICT for Climate Action Track), and the second track is for digital artists (DigitalArt4Climate). ClimaTech Run will extend over a period of one month until September 22 to create a globally connected ecosystem that fuels inspiration and joy for climate action through worldwide live events and webinars.

The application closes on September 22, and ten startups will be shortlisted for the pitching event during COP27 in November in Sharm El Sheikh. A public vote will also occur in the second half of September to select the shortlisted digital art candidates for the best artistic expression of climate action.

For more information, visit www.climatechrun.com