Global Compact Network Tanzania launches Tanzania Sustainability Portal

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.

Tanzania, 27 November 2019 — Global Compact Network Tanzania today launched the Tanzania Sustainability Portal, a dedicated integrated portal designed to help advance sustainable business practices, track progress towards achieving sustainable development goals and further encourage partnership between the private and public sector.

Launched at the “Making Global Goals Local Business – East Africa” event held earlier today, the portal aims to encourage greater collaboration between the private sector, the United Nations and other key stakeholders to track progress around achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the national level.

Participants at the event, which hosted 250 private and public sector participants, heard how the business sector plays a critically important role in achieving the SDGs. The importance of technology, innovation and more participation from the next generation will serve as key drivers to help drive change and catalyze growth.

In his opening remarks, Hon. Hamad Masauni, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, underscored the urgency of business to act more responsibly on sustainability practices. “Consumers are increasingly willing to pay more for products and services provided by companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact.” He added: “The private sector is the fuel that can accelerate sustainable development and peace in the county.”

The objectives of the portal are to:

• Track overall progress towards Agenda 2030 and 2063 implementation  at the national level.
• Enable assessment and analysis of the state of the private sector and other stakeholders  towards implementation of SDGs.
• Raise awareness of sustainability  issues to help catalyze action.
• Be an entry point to the sustainability information available in Tanzania.

Global Compact Network Tanzania, Global Compact Network Kenya and the United Nations Global Compact convened 250 leaders from business with representatives from Government, the UN, civil society and academia to highlight and develop new sustainable solutions in support of the SDGs. The event discussed how the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact could support stakeholders to fulfill their engagement at its Making Global Goals Local Business – East Africa Event. The main theme of the event was “Fostering Private Sector Partnerships to Support Sustainable Development in East African Member States.”

Global Compact Network Tanzania plays a critical role in raising awareness of businesses and non-businesses on the benefits of responsible business adhering to the Ten Principles.

According to Global Compact Network Tanzania National Coordinator Emmanuel Nnko, there are three key elements to ensure an effective implementation of the SDGs. The first is leadership: to innovate business models integrating sustainability within core activities a strong commitment from the top management is needed. Secondly, collaboration with stakeholders plays a central role: companies must co-invest in innovative projects, so that through joint efforts they can gather resources, share risks and aim to devise scalable solutions together. The third key element is transparency, which is crucial in building confidence and strengthening relations with stakeholders.

Speaking at the event Simon Shayo, Global Compact Network Tanzania, Chairperson underscores that the UN Global Compact is uniquely prepared and positioned to lead business in the SDG era. “Achieving the SDGs will require unique cooperation, radical innovation and extraordinary leadership. That means taking personal and corporate responsibility for how we do business and whom we choose as our staff and partners. It means taking stock of our decisions as consumers and investors. It means raising our voices and taking a stand when it matters. The United Nations Global Compact is the forum to make all this happen.”

ABOUT MAKING GLOBAL GOALS LOCAL BUSINESS – EAST AFRICA

Organized by Global Compact Network Tanzania, Global Compact Network Kenya and the UN Global Compact, Making Global Goals Local Business – East Africa is an important opportunity to demonstrate how strong business, UN and Local Network collaboration is advancing the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the 2030 Agenda in the region.

The event brought together over 250  local and global leaders from business, civil society, Government, Global Compact Local Networks and the United Nations to catalyze collective action and impact on the SDGs.

As a precursor to global discussions on national SDG progress taking place later this year, the event has been an opportunity for business to play an active role as we begin taking stock of progress across East Africa . As a leading example of multi-stakeholder collaboration, Tanzania stands as a strong model for others looking to partner at the country-level.

Making Global Goals Local Business – East Africa is a platform for business leaders and Government to foster multi-stakeholder dialogues, yield new partnerships and explore innovative solutions to accelerate SDG Implementation in East Africa. The event communicated the opportunities that lie within the SDGs and unleashed the potential of turning global goals into local business.

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About Global Compact Network Tanzania

Global Compact Network Tanzania is the Local Network chapter of the United Nations Global Compact, which supports Tanzanian signatories (both Tanzanian firms and subsidiaries of global signatories) in the implementation of the Ten Principles, while facilitating and creating opportunities for multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Global Compact Network Tanzania acts in accordance with the Ten Principles and objectives of the UN Global Compact. Global Compact Network Tanzania holds a memorandum of Understanding with the UN Global Compact and reports regularly on its objectives, activities. Global Compact Network Tanzania is incorporated as non-for profit organization. It is a self-governing with a Board of Directors and a steering committee.

Emmanuel Nnko
National Coordinator
Global Compact Network Tanzania
Email: coordinator@globalcompact