RLM Fund in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Reaching the Last Mile Forum at COP28

On 3 December 2023, COP28’s first Health Day, the Reaching the Last Mile Forum in Dubai saw global donors pledge $777.2 million to fight neglected tropical diseases. Identity was the creative event production agency for the forum, hosted by Reaching the Last Mile in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Key stats

$777m

Pledged by global donors at the forum

900

VVIP guests gathered to reflect on the successful delivery

VVIP reception held

Immersive rainforest projections surround speakers and delegates at the Reaching the Last Mile Forum during COP28 in Dubai.

Panoramic screen displays portraits of people from around the world during the Reaching the Last Mile Forum at COP28.

The challenge

The forum ran across COP28’s restricted Blue Zone and its regulated Green Zone, so the design had to balance tight security with storytelling and a smooth flow between the two.

Bill Gates delivers a speech at the Reaching the Last Mile Forum during COP28, standing before a blue conference backdrop.

Approach

Drawing on its experience of high-security events for heads of state, Identity built a 90-minute programme of poetry readings, original music and animation. It gave attendees moments of reflection between the pledging discussions.

Result

Donors pledged $777.2 million at the forum, including a five-fold expansion of the Reaching the Last Mile Fund from $100 million to $500 million. Identity’s creative programme ran between the pledging sessions, and the evening closed with a VVIP reception.