Innovating by Co-creating with Tradition and Technology
At the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York,
Landcent hosted a session titled
"Indigenous Knowledge for Global Health Solutions - Harnessing African Leadership, Artificial Intelligence, and Policy Development for Equitable Impact." Held on 20
th September, the event featured expert discussions on integrating Indigenous knowledge with modern healthcare solutions.
During the session, Landcent’s
Bio-Heritage Initiative was introduced. Developed in collaboration with the
University of the Free State, this initiative combines Indigenous knowledge systems with technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), especially for diseases affecting underserved communities. The initiative seeks partnerships to co-create knowledge across traditional and scientific domains.
Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into Health Policy Frameworks
The session also launched Landcent’s Indigenous Knowledge
White Paper, developed with key partners. It outlines a policy framework for integrating Indigenous knowledge into health systems, with actionable recommendations on data sovereignty, access and benefit-sharing, and community engagement. These steps ensure Indigenous knowledge forms a foundational component in future healthcare solutions.
The policy recommendations highlight the need to integrate African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) into global healthcare frameworks by digitizing traditional practices through AI and machine learning. Sustainable funding models and intellectual property protections are called for to ensure equitable benefit-sharing. Additionally, the recommendations advocate for inclusive research partnerships with Indigenous communities, advancing global leadership on IKS, and establishing financing mechanisms at international conferences like the UN Financing for Development Conference in June 2025.
These steps aim to elevate IKS as essential contributors to global health innovation and sustainable development. It is crucial that the General Assembly considers and implements these recommendations to enhance collaboration and healthcare innovation for underserved communities.
Highlighting African Science Leadership
Landcent also participated in the UNGA 79 Science Summit session titled
"The Role of Africa Science Leadership: Advancing Sustainable Development in Africa." During the session, CEO Arun Prabhu Stanley presented on "Africa’s Role in Indigenous Knowledge and
How Landcent Africa is leading the way in the fight against Poverty and Neglected Tropical Diseases on the continent," emphasizing the need to increase efforts in eliminating diseases like malaria. Arun highlighted the significant role of Indigenous Knowledge systems in addressing poverty-related diseases.
The session featured prominent speakers including Declan Kirrane, Chairman of the Science Summit, and Thandi Mgwebi, Group Executive at the National Research Foundation of South Africa. It included a keynote address by H.E. Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University, and a response from Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief of
Nature, fostering a forward-thinking dialogue on sustainable development and African leadership in scientific innovation.
Driving Forward Equitable and Innovative Healthcare Solutions
Landcent’s participation at the UNGA 79 Science Summit underscored the importance of collaborative partnerships between global leaders, innovators, and policymakers. By hosting key sessions, launching the Bio-Heritage Initiative, and introducing the comprehensive White Paper, Landcent reaffirmed its commitment to co-creating health solutions with Indigenous knowledge systems and modern technologies. This effort honors the contributions of Indigenous communities while paving the way for innovative healthcare solutions that address the needs of underserved populations worldwide.
Access the
White Paper here.
Read the previous press release
here.
For more information about Landcent, visit:
www.landcent.nl
Follow Us:
LinkedIn
Facebook
X