As the global financial sector wrapped up the International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain, last week, the stakes and the opportunities have never been higher.

Investing in sustainability is not just a moral choice — it’s a financial one.

From facing contemporary challenges to navigating new reporting requirements, leading a successful business requires applying a sustainability lens.

Over 160 million children are involved in child labour globally — most of them in dangerous conditions that threaten their health, safety and development. Despite being universally recognized as a violation of children’s rights, child labour persists in many industries and regions.

The rights, respect and well-being of workers lie at the heart of a sustainable global economy.

By aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities), as well as Principles 1 (Businesses' Support for Human Rights – ensuring respect and protection) and 6 (Elimination of Discrimination in Employment and Occupation) of the United Nations Global Compact, businesses have the opportunity to lead the way in shaping a more inclusive future where diversity is not only recognized but truly embraced.

In today’s rapidly evolving corporate landscape, advancing gender equality is not just a moral imperative—it’s a business advantage.

Throughout the Forum, the UN Global Compact engaged with CEOs, Government leaders and civil society to emphasize business-driven solutions and to look at what the public and private sector can do collectively to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

With more than one billion working people (a third of the global workforce) struggling to earn enough for a decent standard of living, ensuring a living wage is paramount to our achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

Sustainable finance supports mobilizing private and public capital to fund projects that advance inclusive growth outcomes, such as mitigating climate change, enhancing social equity and fostering sustainable economic growth.

The gathering focused on the need for land restoration, highlighting the importance of soil health, the increasing risk of drought and the impacts of degraded land on migration, geopolitical tensions and food insecurity.

9 December marks International Anti-Corruption Day. Check out the three key steps every business leader can take to combat corruption.