The UN Global Compact calls for stronger, bolder action from businesses to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

The UN Global Compact Leaders Summit provides a multi-stakeholder platform for stocktaking on business progress made on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

UNITED NATIONS, New York, 18 September 2018 — Almost three years into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, important progress has been made to raise awareness of the Global Goals, but in many areas progress is happening far too slowly, warns Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact ahead of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly.

On 24 September, the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit — including the UN Private Sector Forum and UN Global Compact CEO Roundtable — will convene more than 300 business leaders, Heads of State and Government and representatives of civil society for a stocktaking on business progress made towards the achievement of the Global Goals.

Amongst other high-level representatives, the Summit will be attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres — the Chair of the Board of the UN Global Compact — UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg and the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.

“Stronger, bolder action from the global business community is critical to picking up the pace and getting the world on track to deliver the 2030 Agenda,” said Ms. Kingo. “The Leaders Summit offers an excellent opportunity for CEOs from the world of business to engage with Government and UN agency heads and to connect the dots between our Ten Principles for responsible business and the Global Goals.”

Convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the UN Private Sector Forum luncheon will engage leaders in a high-level discussion about the critical role the private sector plays in building and investing in peace — a major agenda item of the 73rd regular session of the UN General Assembly and the inter-governmental Nelson Mandela Peace Summit taking place the same day. 

Other highlights of the day will include the UN Global Compact CEO Roundtable with a focus on human rights as a driver for successful business, while the UN Global Compact in Action — Driving Progress and Scaling Impact session will explore innovative solutions for tackling global issues at scale, with a specific focus on climate, ocean, water and health, as well as financial innovation, measurement and corporate reporting on progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Leaders Summit will also be a platform for celebrating business leaders from around the world who are championing the Global Goals and inspiring others to join the movement. Ten new UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers will be officially recognized at the Leaders Summit Welcome Breakfast.

“By showcasing the pioneering actions and progress of these inspirational business leaders, we aim to energize others to align their strategies with the Global Goals and do their part,” Ms. Kingo said.

Alongside the Leaders Summit, the UN Global Compact will also release its 2018 Progress Report, which shows that the Global Goals have created new ways of working, with all sectors exploring opportunities to scale up their collective impact through cross-sector partnerships — with business as a vital partner across all 17 of the Goals.

To support responsible companies on this journey, the UN Global Compact offers a variety of tools and learning opportunities as well as motivation, encouragement and a guiding framework for principled business.

Visit our website for more information about the Leaders Summit as well as the speakers and featured attendees. The bios of the SDG Pioneers are available here. Join us the conversation on social media by using hashtags #LeadersSummit and #SDGpioneers.

About the United Nations Global Compact
The United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take action in support of UN goals and issues embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN Global Compact is a leadership platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible corporate practices. Launched in 2000, it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with more than 9,500 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and nearly 70 Local Networks.

For more information, follow @globalcompact on social media.

Media contacts:
Dan Thomas
Chief Communication Officer
United Nations Global Compact
Tel: +1 917-225-1913

Leila Puutio
Coordinator, Communications
United Nations Global Compact
Tel: + 1 646-884-7523 | Mobile: +1 646-465-3833
Email: media@unglobalcompact.org