UN Secretary-General Calls on CEOs to Mobilize on Sustainable Development and Climate at Summit of the Americas

The following is an excerpt from a UN News Centre’s story on the UN Secretary-General’s participation in the seventh Summit of the Americas in Panama. Read the full story here.

(Panama City, 10 April 2015) – Prior to his remarks at the seventh Summit of the Americas in Panama, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the CEO Summit of the Americas, saying that business has a key role in the success of several important international forums taking place in 2015 and will be deeply involved in the implementation of their outcomes.

“The new global development agenda and the battle against climate change will need resources, technology and capacity,” he told business leaders who gathered in Panama City. “Private sources and partnerships will be crucial.”

He spoke of the UN Global Compact set up following the Millennium Declaration between business and society, saying that results from the Compact's first 15 years showed that engagement of all key stakeholders in issues of common importance resulted in progress.

There is growing realization of the link between business health and the health of societies, the Secretary-General said, pointing to corporate social responsibility initiatives, investors' moves away from fossil fuels, and increasing minimum wages around the world.

“Social and environmental responsibility is becoming mainstream, and is increasingly a standard part of strategic corporate practice,” he said. “This is changing markets from within – and for the better. We have to build on this momentum, and bring on board those companies still doing business that puts profit before progress.”

“With business support for implementing the sustainable development goals, we can transform our world,” he said. “Our Global Compact now has over 8,000 companies and 4,000 non-business organizations participating, with Local Networks in 86 countries – including many in Latin America.”

Business is part of the solution to several major global challenges and he thanked the assembled leaders for their part in trying to make 2015 a historic year. Companies should communicate and support the sustainable development goals, help with implementation of the post-2015 development agenda, mobilize financing for development and help the international community to reach a meaningful universal agreement on climate action in Paris.

“The world needs companies and investors everywhere to do their part in meeting the needs of people today while transforming our prospects for tomorrow,” Mr. Ban said.

• See UN Secretary-General’s full remarks

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Tim Wall
UN Global Compact
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