Good morning/afternoon/evening everyone,

With immense joy and anticipation, I welcome you to the GIS Virtual Implementation Summit. As the chair of this momentous gathering, I stand before a vibrant community united by a common goal – the earnest pursuit of knowledge and collaborative action guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Over the next few days, we venture into the truly global nature of implementation science. This field beautifully marries diverse disciplines to foster sustainable advancements in various spheres of society. Our summit endeavors to be a fertile ground where theory meets practice, allowing us to explore and expand upon evidence-based and evidence-informed strategies, fueling our collective efforts toward fulfilling the SDGs.

This summit epitomizes the transdisciplinary essence of implementation science, bringing together thinkers, researchers, and practitioners from diverse backgrounds. Your contributions, born from unique perspectives and expertise, promise to nurture innovative and holistic solutions.

Whether you find yourself at the beginning of your journey in this field or well-versed in the intricacies of it, your enthusiasm and commitment echo the promise that implementation science holds. It is a beacon of hope, indicating that when we come together, transcending the boundaries of traditional disciplines, we can foster transformative changes that echo globally.

I want to remind you that our discussions and sessions will be recorded, allowing you to immerse yourselves in this pool of collective wisdom at your leisure. 

I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your presence and involvement. Together, let’s navigate the promising landscapes of implementation science, building to our gathering in 2024 and beyond.

Thank you.