Business Mobilizes in Support of UN Peacebuilding Mission

(New York, 25 June 2013) – In an unprecedented joint effort, the UN Global Compact and the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) convened a conference today on the theme of “Business for Peacebuilding” at UN Headquarters in New York. The meeting offered a unique opportunity to highlight the importance of engaging the private sector in peacebuilding efforts and improve the visibility of this critical dimension on the development agenda.

Attended by over 200 participants, the conference aimed to facilitate dialogue among business and political leaders on market building and responsible investment, and to strengthen cooperation to advance economic development and peacebuilding. African business leaders, business and Government representatives of PBC countries, UN Member States and civil society organizations explored ways to enhance business engagement in post-conflict countries, and identified opportunities for partnerships and collaboration on the ground. 

UN Global Compact Executive Director Georg Kell; Judy Cheng-Hopkins, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support; and H.E. Mr. Ranko Vilović, Chairperson, UN Peacebuilding Commission (l to r) deliver opening remarks at the “Business for Peacebuilding” conference, held at UN Headquarters.

“While the private sector and Governments have differentiated responsibilities, business has an influence on [political matters] in many ways,” said Mr. Kebbour Ghenna, Executive Director of the Pan-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “This influence shall serve to foster peacebuilding purposes.”

The importance of building local capacity and involving all stakeholders was raised as ways to accelerate and scale up responsible investment in peacebuilding contexts. Developing metrics and sourcing data at the country level from trusted third parties were also put forward as critical elements to help address peacebuilding issues.  

• See Agenda and List of Participants
• View event photos
• Watch webcasts: (Opening, Panels I and II) and (Closing)
• Read more about Business and Peace

Contact

Adrienne Gardaz
Business and Peace
UN Global Compact
gardaz@un.org