Deadline extended for World Business and Development Awards

The awards are made possible through the support of ICC, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF).

Companies, institutions and associations of all types and sizes are invited to participate by nominating projects that document business activities leading to progress in achieving one or more of the MDGs.   The winners will be announced on 24 September during a presentation ceremony in New York at the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel.

The awards recognize the contribution of the private sector to help achieve the MDGs through their core business. The MDGs, endorsed by 189 countries, are eight goals that promote poverty reduction, education, maternal health, and gender equality, and aim to combat child mortality, HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

The UN has devoted 2008 to build a renewed momentum around achievement of the MDGs, including special attention for the role of business in development through an initiative known as the Business Call to Action. The World Business and Development Awards is one of the central events this year that will recognize the key contributions of the private sector to achieve the MDGs.

Introduced by ICC in 2000, the awards have become increasingly successful over the years. In 2004, UNDP and IBLF joined with ICC to organize the awards. The true spirit of the awards lies in the pursuit of productive and innovative business-driven solutions to sustainable development.

Award recipients receive worldwide recognition as leading examples of how business can contribute to the MDGs. They will be profiled in the publications and on the official websites of ICC, UNDP, and IBLF.

An International Judging Panel will be made up of representatives of the organizers and leaders from other non-governmental organizations, business entities, and international agencies, including: Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute and Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development, Columbia University; Oby Ezekwesili, Vice-President for Africa, World Bank and former Nigerian Minister of Education; Lisa Dreier, Director, Public-Private Partnerships, World Economic Forum; Jane Nelson, Director, Corporate Responsibility Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School; and Guy Sebban, Secretary General, ICC.