The third SDG Business Forum brought together business leaders, governments, sociedade civil e das Nações Unidas este mês na sede da ONU em Nova Iorque para estabelecer estratégias para atingir os Sustainable Development Goals (ODS) until 2030.
The event was part of the agenda of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum — the annual meeting to review progress and guide global efforts towards the Agenda. 2030.
Conducted by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC, in the acronym in english), by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (A DESA) and by the UN Global Compact, the forum brought together a diverse group of 600 participants.
in your speech, the deputy secretary-general of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, encouraged companies everywhere to commit to global goals.
“As a fundamental first step in your sustainability journeys, we need companies to ensure they are doing business responsibly., in alignment with the UN values and the Ten Principles of the Global Compact", declared.
“An international commitment to doing business responsibly is one of the most powerful contributions companies can make to the Agenda 2030 ”, said Amina, adding that young business leaders must continue to be “disruptive”.
“I see encouraging progress, where Member States are showing strong ownership to ensure inclusive globalization”, added.
Lise Kingo, President and Executive Director of the Global Compact, sent a strong message to business leaders to measure their progress. "We are there 1 thousand days en route to 2030. We have come to a time when we need to manage and set the direction. Now is the time to start measuring progress", she said.
Although many of the world's largest companies are increasingly engaged with the Agenda 2030, leaving only 12 years to reach global goals, the potential benefit of a significant mass of small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) taking responsibility for contributing has never been more evident..
This point was highlighted by John W.H. Denton, general secretary of the ICC. “Three years on this journey, we need a reality check. If we continue on the current path, we won't hit the target. More of the same won't get us there", he said.
"We have to find a way to expand corporate engagement in a situation where 60% of companies around the world are not involved", stressed in front of a crowded room, with approximately 170 company executives around the world.
“Many CEOs are joining us today. It's time to discuss how to accelerate and how to promote solutions. You (executive) is on the front line, and sustainable solutions are essential for long-term survival. You are essential for change and for creating a platform of actors at the national level”, said the UN DESA undersecretary general, Liu Zhenmin.
During the forum, attendees discussed new tools to guide the global business community on best business practices, regardless of size, sector or region.
The president of the UN General Assembly, Miroslav Lajčák, highlighted that companies are crucial to the achievement of 17 Sustainable Development Goals. "SDGs need companies, but they also need the SDGs. To Agenda 2030 it's a treasure of business opportunities. Consumers are also paying attention”, he said.
"Then, there can be no business without sustainability. If we continue the way we are, we will see drastic changes — and not for the better. It will affect people and the planet., and companies will need it to prosper", disse Lajčák.
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