Declaration on Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the SDGs Endorsed by UN Forum in Bahrain

The fifth Manama Declaration, named after the Bahraini capital where the 2024 World Entrepreneurship Investment Forum (WEIF) is taking place, highlighted the importance of innovation in driving the development of technologies and products to address socioeconomic and environmental challenges. The declaration emphasized that economic advances resulting from innovation can provide the resources needed to invest in sustainable development.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in a message to the Forum, urged delegates to harness the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to make the world a better place for all people and the planet. The issue of innovation and entrepreneurship as a means to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was also discussed on the sidelines of the forum, where persons with disabilities showcased how technology helps them overcome obstacles and build inclusive communities.

Participants at the forum shared their experiences and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity and innovation. Olfa Dabbabi, a young Tunisian woman with a disability, founded a company called OLFUS that uses digital art to convey messages of encouragement and empowerment. She emphasized the importance of accepting oneself and rejecting body shaming.

The Manama Declaration also called on the international community to promote sectors like the creative economy, embrace digital transformation, and adopt smart farming practices to create jobs and achieve economic development. The declaration will be presented to the UN General Assembly, with a focus on promoting entrepreneurship and innovation towards achieving the SDGs and supporting women and youth in post-conflict areas.

The WEIF will conclude with a focus on ‘women, peace, and security’, highlighting the importance of funding female entrepreneurs to promote stability in conflict-affected countries.