Global Compact Local Networks lead the way for private sector impact during the High-level Week of the UN General Assembly
United Nations Global Compact
#UnitingBusiness for a better world through #TenPrinciples on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
This year’s High-level week of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly was critical as we recognized that 2023 marks the halfway point to 2030 and our achievement of the Global Goals. That said, we are not nearly halfway towards achieving them.?
In the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres : “We have an obligation to act — in deep and systemic ways.”
The United Nations Global Compact Local Networks have embraced this call to action. Many Executive Directors and Country Managers from around the world came to New York, with several events hosted by Local Networks.?
Global Compact Network Brazil kicked off events, participating in the Brazil Climate Summit on 13–14 September at Columbia University.?
Network Brazil carried this momentum forward on 14–15 September with a two-day high-level event. Held in the UN Headquarters Delegates Dining Room, the event was the largest-ever corporate sustainability meeting for the Brazilian Global Compact Network and brought together more than 1,000 senior leaders in Government, civil society and sustainability experts.?
The 14 September event was built around the theme that “The Future is Ancestral” and included the launch of Local Network Brazil’s upcoming Impact Amazon Initiative. The all-day event showcased technologies used by the region's indigenous peoples and demonstrated how these applications can be used to build more effective business models.??
The evening concluded with a performance by the internationally renowned Brazilian DJ Alok, who presented an exciting show alongside Brazilian indigenous artists.
The 15 September event organized by Network Brazil showcased the programmatic work of Network Brazil on human rights, the environment, the Amazon and governance.
The two days of meetings concluded with a spectacular light show (pictured below) created by more than 1,000 drones with the spectacular backdrop of Manhattan.
Global Compact Network Norway and the Consul General of Norway organized a 17 September panel discussion on a just and equitable energy transition with Norway's Minister of Climate and Environment and Minister of International Development in dialogue with business leaders, stakeholders and policymakers.
On 18 September, in partnership with Accenture, Global Compact Network Denmark, Global Compact Network Finland, Global Compact Network Sweden and Network Norway released a report entitled “The Path towards 2030: Nordic Corporate Sustainability Stock Take” at Accenture’s New York offices. The report reveals insights into the private and public sectors in the Nordic region, showcasing leadership and highlighting opportunities for improvement.
The Nordics Local Networks joined forces later the same day with private sector partner DNB for a high-level roundtable on the green transition with an emphasis on Science-Based Targets and public-private cooperation. The Norwegian Minister of International Development and the Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development were both present at the high-level roundtable and the reception following.?
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Global Compact Network Denmark separately held an event on 18 September on accelerating the SDGs with partners and parliamentarians, releasing an ambitious CEO statement reaffirming the commitment of 27 Danish businesses to The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the Global Goals.
Also on 18 September, Global Compact Network Canada and SAP convened a fireside chat. The conversation navigated through the realms of digital innovation and corporate sustainability's impact on the Global Goals. Emphasis was placed on ethical technology advancement, with speakers asserting that the application of digital technologies will allow small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger companies to meaningfully contribute to global net-zero aspirations.
On 20 September, Network Norway, Network Sweden, Network Denmark and Network Finland held an exciting event entitled “COP15: Nordic Business and Policy Prospects.” View the recording here.?
On 20 September, Global Compact Network USA engaged more than 200 senior leaders of US businesses, the UN Global Compact, local government, civil society and the UN at the 2023 SDG Summit USA to raise awareness and promote practical business action and partnerships in the American private sector. In his opening remarks, Paul Polman, Vice-Chair of the UN Global Compact Board of Directors and former CEO of Unilever, said: “Increasingly, we do see that those who embrace the SDGs tend to get rewarded.” The event highlighted opportunities for US businesses to amplify their impact and establish leadership in propelling the Global Goals forward.
Finally, on 21 September, Global Compact Network Georgia co-organized an event entitled “Advancing Sustainability: A Focus on Sustainable Finance” with the Permanent Mission of Georgia to the UN and in partnership with the National Bank of Georgia and their representatives at UN Global Compact headquarters. The purpose was to identify critical challenges to sustainable finance, foster collaboration between different sectors and emphasize the significance of dialogue while uncovering opportunities.
Our Global Compact Local Networks advance corporate sustainability at the national level by helping companies understand what responsible business means within a national context.?
Through our Networks, companies can make local connections – with other businesses and stakeholders from NGOs, Government and academia – and receive guidance to put their sustainability commitments into action.
To learn more about the work of the UN Global Compact and our Local Networks, visit our website.?
#UnitingBusiness #TenPrinciples