Australian CEOs back Sustainable Development Goals in CEO Statement of Support at inaugural Australian SDGs Summit
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Sydney, Australia
The following is an article submitted by a Global Compact Local Network. Please contact the network representative listed below with any questions regarding its contents.
(Sydney, 7 September 2016) — On 7 September 2016, leaders and decision-makers came together to advance Australian action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by United Nations Member States at the inaugural Australian SDGs Summit in Sydney. At the Summit, the Global Compact Network Australia launched the CEO Statement of Support for the SDGs, backed by over 30 leaders from the Australian business community.
The SDGs lay out a roadmap to achieve environmental sustainability, social inclusion and economic prosperity by 2030. The Summit gathered representatives from Australian government, business, civil society, academia and youth organisations for the first time since the SDGs came into effect.
Recent research from the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network found Australia is ranked 20th in the world on its performance towards meeting the SDGs. Goals relating to hunger, affordable and clean energy, climate change, life below water, life on land and partnering for the goals have been identified as areas requiring particular attention in Australia. John Thwaites, Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network Australia Pacific, noted, “the ranking has helped identify implementation gaps that provide significant opportunities for Australia, and there is nothing like a bit of competition by comparison to stimulate action.”
The opportunities that come with implementation of the SDGs are encouraging all sectors to embrace the agenda, including business. A recent study showed almost half of companies worldwide are looking to engage with the SDG agenda, and more than half in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We are seeing leading Australian companies embracing the SDGs, and recognising not only the role they have to contribute to the agenda but the upside to their businesses in doing so,” said Alice Cope, Executive Manager, Global Compact Network Australia.
“With this CEO Statement of Support for the SDGs, this incredible list of CEOs showing support for the SDGs demonstrates the private sector’s willingness to contribute to realising a sustainable future for Australia and the world,” Ms. Cope added.
“For a number of months, the Global Compact Network Australia through its Sustainable Development Leadership Group, which we launched last year in partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has been supporting companies in mapping their activities against the SDGs and incorporating the goals into thinking and strategies. The level of interest and engagement from the Australian business community has been outstanding.”
The Australian SDGs Summit, at which the CEO Statement was launched, showcased existing Australian efforts to advance the SDGs and identify further opportunities for all sectors arising from this new and ambitious global agenda, which must be implemented over the next 15 years.
The Summit was organised by Australia’s leading organisations across multiple sectors, including: Global Compact Network Australia, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network Australia-Pacific, Australian Council for International Development, and the Australian Council of Social Service.
Contact
Ms. Alice Cope
Executive Manager
Global Compact Network Australia
alice.cope@unglobalcompact.org.au
+61 2 9319 8422