In a call for a more just and sustainable future, Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged the global community to adopt five critical initiatives. He appealed during his speech at the Earthna Summit held in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday (April 22).

The five initiatives outlined by Dr Yunus are:

Expand financial inclusion—Ensure that marginalised and underserved communities have access to essential financial tools, empowering them to earn a livelihood and participate fully in the economy.
Promote social business—Tackle social and environmental challenges by supporting purpose-driven businesses that prioritise impact over profit.
Empower youth—Recognise the vital role of young people as drivers of change. Create platforms for their voices to be heard, and invest in their skills and potential.
Champion global peace and justice—Acknowledge that lasting peace and justice are fundamental to sustainable development and the well-being of all humanity.
Fulfil moral obligations for funding—Urge developed nations to meet their Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitments, particularly the target of 0.2% of Gross National Income (GNI) for least developed countries, which currently lags at just 0.09%. Dr Yunus emphasised the need for concessional financing, including disaster clauses, to sustain development in countries that have recently graduated from LDC status.
Highlighting the urgency of the moment, Dr Yunus stated, "The challenges before us are immense, but so is our capacity for innovation, compassion, and collective action." He praised initiatives like the Earthna Summit for demonstrating how a country like Qatar can harness tradition, innovation, and partnership to tackle the climate crisis, inequality, and the evolving nature of work.

He concluded by noting that Bangladesh is at a pivotal moment in shaping a new social contract. "We must leave behind a world that is prosperous, resilient, green, and sustainable for the next generation. We cannot afford to leave them behind," he said.