Reinventing a Sustainable Future: Leveraging Innovation for Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth

 

 

Reinventing a sustainable future: Leveraging innovation for sustainable and inclusive economic growth 

 

Delivered at the Singapore FinTech Festival. Valérie Pécresse, President, Paris Région shared her vision for Paris region, which is a hub for innovation and sustainability. Making sustainability, growth, innovation work together. 

 

Key Highlights 

 

1. Paris Région: A Global Hub for Sustainability and Innovation 

Demographics & Economic Strength: 

  • Population: 12 million, contributing one-third of France’s GDP. 
  • 40% of French startups and 80% of French finance are concentrated in the region. 

Olympics 2024 as a Catalyst: 

  • A showcase of sustainability through zero-carbon transportation, multilingualism for tourists, and recyclable infrastructure. 
  • Athlete village to be transformed into 2,800 affordable housing units; swimming pool energy being sourced from a data centre. 
  • 100% public transport accessible games. 

 

2. Driving Ecological Transition 

Energy Innovation: 

  • Capitalising on geothermal and waste-to-energy initiatives to reduce reliance on imported energy which accounted for more than 90% of Paris’ energy previously. 
  • One million people in Île-de-France are heated by geothermal energy. 
  • Doubling metro lines in Paris, enhancing biking infrastructure to more than 250km, and achieving zero-carbon public transportation. 

Circular Economy Leadership: 

  • 95% of Olympics materials reused or recycled, showcasing the commitment to sustainable development. 

 

3. Advancing Education and Technology 

Education Revamp: 

  • €6.6 billion investment in regenerating 500 high schools to enhance educational quality and inclusivity. 

Science & Innovation Leadership: 

  • AI, quantum, and biotech hubs in development, supported by a strong research ecosystem and leading schools for physics and mathematics. 
  • Partnerships with Singapore for advancing shared goals in technology and sustainability. For instance, the first Franco-Singaporean symposium on quantum. 

 

4. Supporting Global Startups 

Brexit Opportunities: 

  • Paris emerged as the EU’s primary global metropolis, attracting over 6,000 relocated jobs post-Brexit. 

Choose Paris Region Initiative: 

  • Offers comprehensive support for foreign startups, including visa facilitation, corporate setup, and family relocation. 

AI Challenges: 

  • Open innovation contests with €500,000 funding for startups tackling key issues like transportation, healthcare, and energy. 

 

Conclusion 

Paris Région exemplifies how sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity can fuel economic growth. By fostering global partnerships and embracing ecological transition, Paris is paving the way for a resilient, forward-looking future. 

 

Speaker:

  • Valérie Pécresse, President, Paris Région

Moderator:

  • Tamara Singh, Sherpa, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)
 
 

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