United Nations Global Compact mourns the loss of Shabnam Siddiqui, Executive Director of Global Compact Network India

Statement by Sanda Ojiambo, CEO & Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact

UNITED NATIONS, New York, 13 January 2022 – It is with shock and great sadness that we learned of the untimely death today of Ms. Shabnam Siddiqui, Executive Director of Global Compact Network India. 

All of us in the United Nations Global Compact family mourn her loss and pray for strength and comfort for her family, her loved ones and all our colleagues in India and around the world who worked with her. 

In a career spanning more than 25 years, Shabnam held various academic and leadership positions in organizations across India and abroad. She joined the Global Compact Network India (GCNI) in 2011 and built from scratch its now pioneering work on anti-corruption. A gender champion to the core, Shabnam also took their gender equality work to greater heights. Most recently, as the Executive Director of the Global Compact Network India – a role that she took on in 2021 – she led the successful participation of the Network in the Indian Government’s Smart City Initiative. 

Shabnam was a great believer and practitioner of Collective Action, and believed that the private sector can play a critical role in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She made significant contributions to creating an active community of changemakers committed to accelerating positive change.  She created a compelling path for corporate leaders to align their core business with the strategic goals of the local and international communities and act as a bridge between business and governments. 

Shabnam was a constant source of energy, optimism and good ideas inspiring us all to greater efforts to achieve our mission. She exemplified the spirit of innovation and excellence, core to sustainable governance. 

A gifted academic, Shabnam never stopped looking for ways to learn and every couple of years would pursue new opportunities to stay abreast of the latest developments and thought leadership. Her most recent foray was to the University of Oxford as a Chevening Rolls Royce Innovation, Science, Policy and Leadership (CRISP) Fellow based at Said Business School, St. Cross College.

She was passionate about conservation and biodiversity. An avid amateur wildlife photographer and traveler, she produced a film with over 250,000 views on YouTube from one of her photo captures of wildlife in her part of India. 

She was a beloved leader, making everyone around her feel valued and respected. She truly embodied the values and ideals of integrity, respect for diversity and professionalism that the UN Global Compact stands for.

She was a valued member of the One Global Compact family and will be missed by colleagues across the world.

May dear Shabnam's soul rest in eternal peace.