“With over a decade of dedication to sustainable development and a pioneering vision for global territorial collaboration, Robert Gubernatorov leads the charge in integrating territorial entities into the United Nations system, empowering regional leaders to shape the future of global progress.”
The Global Initiative for Sustainable Development of Territorial Entities has been recognized by the UN as SDG Good Practices. What inspired you to launch this initiative, and what is its mission and key objectives?
The idea for the Global Initiative for Sustainable Development of Territorial Entities (GITE) emerged from a deep academic and practical journey that began in 2009. For over a decade, I dedicated myself to researching and implementing concepts that would bridge the gap between global frameworks and regional realities. This effort included conducting analytical studies, developing rankings, awarding initiatives, establishing the World Organization for Development (WOD), collaborating with the United Nations, and producing international media. It has been a long and challenging path, but one fueled by a clear vision of how territorial entities can play a transformative role in global development.
The core inspiration for GITE came from the pressing need to address gaps in the structure of the United Nations. Since its founding in 1945, the UN has primarily operated as an intergovernmental organization, a structure we define as the First-Level Track. In 1978, the UN-Habitat program was established as a Third-Level Track to support sustainable urban development and engage mayors and municipalities. However, a critical middle layer—the Second-Level Track, representing regions, states, and provinces—has been missing from this framework.
The primary goal of GITE is to advocate for the establishment of a dedicated UN Program for Territorial Development, creating this Second-Level Track. This program would empower regions to actively contribute to global strategies, share best practices, and address unique challenges that transcend municipal and national boundaries. GITE’s mission is to ensure that territorial entities are not only recognized but fully integrated into the global decision-making process, bridging the gaps between local action and international policy.
By addressing this systemic inconsistency, the initiative seeks to modernize the UN’s structure, making it more inclusive, effective, and capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
In your opinion, why is it essential to involve governors of states, provinces, and regions, along with their teams, in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development? How do you see their role within the UN system?
Governors and their teams play a critical role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as they work in direct contact with the population. They possess unique insights into local challenges and opportunities, enabling them to design policies that have a direct and tangible impact on improving quality of life.
Territorial entities are the primary customers, producers, transit hubs, and consumers of products in the new technological paradigm. Regions form the foundation for adopting innovations, driving sustainable production, and preparing societies for change.
One of GITE’s key goals is to advocate for the establishment of a UN Program for Territorial Development. This program would provide governors with a formal platform within the UN system to collaborate, share experiences, and contribute to global strategies.
It’s worth noting that the UN-Habitat program has existed for decades, representing mayors of cities, even though mayors report to governors and their teams. Mayors have had a voice in the UN for years, while governors—who oversee broader territorial management—have not. This systemic inconsistency contradicts the actual governance structure at the national level. One of our goals is to resolve this contradiction by ensuring that governors are formally included in UN processes, creating a more effective link between global frameworks and local implementation.
The GITE Initiative is gaining global attention. Who among the global leaders, in addition to the UN, has already supported this initiative? What key results have you achieved so far, and what are your future plans for its expansion?
The GITE Initiative has received significant support from the United Nations, as well as from governors in various countries worldwide who understand the importance of strengthening the role of territorial entities in global processes. Some global leaders have also expressed their support. For example, in 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump sent me an official response to my proposal for supporting UN reform and the creation of a Second-Level Track for Territorial Entities to practically achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In his letter, he emphasized the importance of uniting efforts to address key challenges and strengthen international leadership. This response was a crucial step toward global recognition of the initiative.
We actively stimulate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through several key efforts:
- We conduct analytical research on sustainable development at both global and regional levels. This work is carried out through our research center, WOD-Research, which identifies best practices and innovative solutions for territories.
- We also present international awards, such as the World Innovation Award, World Investment Award, and Global Awards “Angel for Sustainable Development”, recognizing the significant contributions of businesses, civil society, regional authorities, and nations to sustainable development.
- Additionally, we develop and implement Artificial Intelligence technologies to help regions effectively execute their strategies.
- We are also preparing major international events, including the Global Governors’ Summit and the World Forum for Territorial Entities.
All these initiatives aim to create platforms for dialogue and the exchange of best practices, fostering closer collaboration between regions and global institutions.
Your leadership of the World Organization for Development includes organizing international awards such as the World Innovation Award, World Investment Award, and Global Awards “Angel for Sustainable Development”. How do these awards contribute to promoting sustainable development?
World Organization for Development (WOD) is an international non-governmental organization with a strong global reputation. Since 2014, WOD has held special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and has been a member of the UN Global Compact since 2016. These designations reflect the organization’s commitment to advancing sustainable development through innovative and impactful initiatives.
One of WOD’s key contributions is its international awards: The World Innovation Award, World Investment Award, and Global Awards “Angel for Sustainable Development”. These awards recognize and celebrate achievements in innovation, investment, and sustainability across diverse sectors.
The World Innovation Award highlights groundbreaking ideas that drive progress and address global challenges. The World Investment Award honors transformative projects that foster economic growth and sustainability. The Global Awards “Angel for Sustainable Development”, recognized by the UN, acknowledges initiatives that significantly contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
By showcasing these achievements, we inspire others to follow their example, foster healthy competition for excellence, and bring global attention to outstanding projects at both regional and international levels. These awards not only highlight success stories but also promote collaboration and innovation, creating a ripple effect that advances sustainable development worldwide.
GITE (Global Initiative for Territorial Entities) focuses on collaboration, innovation, and territorial development. What are its key features that make it unique among other sustainable development initiatives?
GITE stands out for bridging the gap between global frameworks and local implementation. While many initiatives focus on national governments, GITE is dedicated to empowering regions, provinces, and states, enabling them not only to participate but also to take the lead in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Territorial entities are the architects of tomorrow’s sustainable world—driving innovation, progress, and resilience in the face of global challenges
One of GITE’s distinguishing features is its emphasis on developing and implementing digital tools, such as Artificial Intelligence for Territorial Entities (AITE) platforms, for sustainable governance and data-driven decision-making. These tools ensure both the efficiency and scalability of solutions.
Additionally, GITE fosters a network of regional leaders, bringing them together to exchange best practices, collaborate, and drive collective progress. This unique model of interaction enables territorial entities to participate more effectively in the global sustainable development agenda.
What message would you like to send to regional leaders and their teams worldwide about their essential role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals?
To regional leaders and their teams: you are not just administrators of your territories—you are architects of a sustainable future. Your decisions today shape not only the lives of your communities but also the global resilience and progress for decades to come.
We encourage you to join GITE’s efforts to build a stronger connection between local action and global impact. Your participation, leadership, and vision are vital to making the Sustainable Development Goals a reality, ensuring prosperity, equality, and environmental sustainability for all.
How do you see the interaction between the UN and regional leaders evolving over the next decade to achieve closer collaboration?
Over the next decade, collaboration between the UN and regional leaders will become increasingly close and structured. I envision regional representatives gaining a formal role in key UN decision-making processes, ensuring that local perspectives and needs are adequately represented on the global stage.
Through platforms like GITE, we aim to establish mechanisms for regular consultations, joint initiatives, and innovative funding tools to support regional sustainable development projects. This collaboration will be the cornerstone for achieving the 2030 Agenda, as regions play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future.
By World Economic Journal
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