Global governance

Business leaders at UN to push progress on Global Goals

  • 19 July 2016
ICC Responsible business

Ten months after the historic adoption of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in New York, over 400 private sector leaders are set to engage with representatives from government, United Nations (UN) agencies, major international organisations and civil society, at the inaugural SDG Business Forum taking place today at UN Headquarters in New York.

Convened by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA), and the UN Global Compact – in collaboration with the Global Business Alliance (GBA) for 2030 – the forum takes place during the first High Level Political Forum (HLPF) since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and marks a first milestone for gauging business efforts during the first year of SDG implementation. Under the theme “Providing Solutions and Resources for Sustainable Development”, the forum also represents further opportunity to explore the capacity of business to catalyse sustainable growth and development.

ICC Secretary General John Danilovich will address participants during the forum’s opening plenary session. Mr Danilovich will say: “Building on the deep engagement last year between governments and the private sector, we are honoured to have been invited to co-host the first SDG Business Forum to take place during the UN’s High Level Political Forum.”

Building on the deep engagement last year between governments and the private sector, we are honoured to have been invited to co-host the first SDG Business Forum to take place during the UN’s High Level Political Forum.

Mr Danilovich will also underscore the need to enhance awareness of the SDGs within the business community, saying: “We still have a long way to go in fully engaging the global business community in the 2030 challenge. Research shows that many companies are unaware of sustainability considerations. That’s why we must do more to define responsible business as the new normal and to ensure that every business model has sustainability and inclusivity at its very heart.”

The SDG Forum will receive presentations from 17 businesses and organisations that are taking action to meet one of the specific 17 Global Goals. Follow ICC’s twitter account for updates on these interventions.

Following the opening of the Forum, ICC and the UN Global Compact will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), sealing a partnership to improve awareness, opportunities and participation of the private sector in support of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achievement of the SDGs.

Among other things, the MOU highlights the need to enhance UN engagement with business around the SDGs, and the potential for further increasing business and industry engagement in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.