Our role as a convener during COP29 is a continuation of the firm's long-term commitment to accelerate sustainable, inclusive growth. Each year, McKinsey convenes global leaders alongside the Conference of the Parties (COP), the UN's summit to accelerate global action to address climate change. This November 11'22, 2024 at the twenty-ninth COP (COP29) in Azerbaijan, we will host a series of in-person and virtual events featuring business, government, and nongovernmental organization (NGO) leaders. Our discussions will focus on how to implement ambitious climate commitments while leading a wave of innovation and economic growth that safeguards our planet and advances sustainability. Sustainability in Action is our monthly blog series, featuring a curated selection of new and relevant sustainability insights and actionable recommendations for leaders to drive climate action and growth. In this edition, our McKinsey Sustainability experts Vishal Agarwal and Anna Granskog share what business leaders should watch for at COP29....

Angola is located in the western region of southern Africa. With 37.2 million people, it is the 11th most populous country in Africa. Its economy relies heavily on oil and gas, accounting for over 90% of exports and 43% of GDP. Its largest trading partners are China and India. The proposed visit reflects Africa's growing importance to the US, amid the 'new cold war' sparked by rivalry with China. The US is responding to the expanding influence of China, Russia and other emerging powers in Africa. It's intensifying economic, diplomatic and military cooperation. Angolans fought a liberation war against the Portuguese for 15 years ' 1961 to 1974. On attaining independence in 1975, a new socialist and pro-communist government, led by the Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), took control. The country was plunged into a civil war between 1975 and 1988. The US supported the anti-government rebel forces National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (Unita). Cuba and the Soviet Union supported the MPLA....

We live in a world struggling with multiple inequalities, including gender, education and income. And then there is technology: 2.6 billion people lack internet access, according to the International Telecommunication Union. On top of this, the world soon faces a divide with AI. With new technological advances, this particular inequality gap will continue to grow if we do not act now. UNESCO reports that only 35% of STEM graduates are women, a figure that has stagnated over the last decade; this gap is even more pronounced in rural and disadvantaged communities. Mongolia's Girls Code programme was founded with the mission of empowering young girls with the coding skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. By focusing on inclusivity, we aim to ensure that no one is left behind in the digitized future and to use technology to solve problems of inequality. Girls Code offers three-month boot camps over the summer school break. The programme specifically targets girls from nomadic and disadvantaged communities who do not have access to internet and educational resources....

While applying artificial intelligence (AI) demands careful consideration of ethical and societal implications, it also holds the potential to transform the way we work, improve service provision and enhance global development and our health and well-being. International NGO Maternity Foundation and Finnish AI startup Neuvo Inc. Global are currently exploring this potential, joining up to develop an AI-powered service to help ensure safer childbirth in low-resource settings, an urgent goal with 800 women and 6,400 newborns dying every day from pregnancy and birth-related complications. The majority of all maternal and newborn deaths are preventable if the women receive quality care. However, the world currently lacks almost 1 million midwives and many practicing midwifery do not have the necessary skills and knowledge. Therefore, finding innovative ways to build a larger and stronger midwifery cadre is crucial. Maternity Foundation has used technology for over 10 years to build midwifery knowledge and skills through the Safe Delivery App. The app can be a job aid and a learning and training tool for midwives and other healthcare professionals. It provides essential guidance on handling birth delivery and common complications through animated instruction videos and descriptions of practical procedures, among other features....