Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus delivered the keynote speech at the UN High Level Side Event on Social Business, Youth and Technology at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday.
Yunus began by recalling the last time he had spoken at the event, when he had attended “simply as Professor Yunus”. This time, however, he was standing before the audience as the chief adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh.
He continued: “Yet, regardless of the title I hold, my mission remains unchanged: To build a world where opportunity, dignity and sustainability are within reach for all. Titles may vary, but the purpose endures – to shape a world where business serves not only profit but people, our planet, and the future we all share.”
Adding that the future currently stands at a “crossroads” as the world struggles for justice and peace which continues to test our humanity, Yunus said, “The path to a better world is built with today’s courage, action, and unwavering commitment.”
He went on to highlight the many challenges facing Bangladesh as it prepares to graduate from LDC status. He said, “For Bangladesh, this includes hosting 1.3 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas, managing repeated climate shocks, and navigating global economic turbulence. In such a context, reducing UN budgets or shrinking official development assistance would be counterproductive. Instead, the world must redouble efforts to expand international support, provide technical assistance, and ensure a just transition for nations facing heightened vulnerability.”
Touching on the fact that global conflicts harm our idea of a sustainable future, the chief adviser said, “As an advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals, I have long believed that these goals cannot be fully realised within our current global system – a system still dominated by the relentless pursuit of profit over people. Under these conditions, the path to the SDGs can indeed appear bleak.
“We must move toward an economy that places human well-being, social justice and environmental stewardship above the narrow accumulation of wealth. This is not a utopian ideal. It is a necessary evolution.
And at the heart of this new economy lies social business,” the chef adviser added.
Yunus went on to add that current civilization is on a self-destructive path which endangers planet that sustains us, looking towards the youth to lead the way and “see what could be, not just what is,”
With new technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, big data, and renewable energy transforming the globe, Yunus said that their potential is “paired with profound responsibility”, as we risk privacy breaches, algorithmic bias, and cybersecurity threats.
As such, he added, “The future of technology must be shaped not by ambition alone, but by conscience. Not by competition, but by collaboration. Not for the few, but for all.”
“I speak of a world of ‘three zeros’: Zero net carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration to end poverty, and zero unemployment by unleashing creativity in all. I also emphasise zero waste,” the chief adviser added.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus concluded: “If we join hands – harnessing the power of social business, the energy of youth and the potential of technology – we can untangle even the most complex global crises. Let us become the architects of a new wave – a world built on justice, sustainability and hope. A world where our collective dreams ignite a new dawn for all of humanity.”
