Events

United Nations Private Sector Forum 2016

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    Overview

    2016 is a year of action: the United Nations, Governments, Business and Civil Society are coming together to jump-start progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  This year the UN Private Sector Forum focused on the role of business in advancing sustainable development to prevent global instability. Hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Forum was organized in collaboration with the Co-Chairs of the United Nations High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly to address Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants. 

    With the theme of Business and the 2030 Agenda: Securing the Way Forward, the Private Sector Forum highlighted important connections between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the new Agenda for Humanity – which, together with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Action Agenda on Financing for Development, are pillars of the 2030 Agenda. 

    Over 60 million people are displaced by conflict and instability worldwide, and average displacement time now stretches 17 years. These staggering numbers challenge global efforts to secure a truly sustainable and prosperous future for all. Advancing the 2030 Agenda is crucial to stem growing flows of people fleeing conflict and insecurity around the world, address root causes of instability, and avoid future crises caused by large scale migration and forced displacement. Whether creating jobs, investing in education, skills, and training, supporting refugee resettlement efforts, or tackling underlying causes of displacement like climate change, companies can have a huge impact in preventing instability and helping peaceful societies flourish by investing in the SDGs. The Private Sector Forum identified and showcased business contributions in these areas and explored opportunities for greater collaboration between the UN and the private sector to secure a peaceful and sustainable future for all.

    A number of commitments to action were made by companies in attendance. Learn more.

    2014 Private Sector Forum commitments to climate action, where are they today? Find out here.

    Final Participant List [PDF]
    Refugee Facts Source Document [PDF]

    Programme

    (As of 14 September). Download Programme as a pdf.

    •   12:30-13:00

    Participant Arrival
    •   13:00-13:05

    Welcome


    Call to order by Master of Ceremonies
    • Kate Bolduan, Anchor, CNN International
    Introduction of H.E. Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General
    • Lise Kingo, Executive Director, UN Global Compact
    •   13:05-13:20

    Remembering our Responsibility, Envisioning our Legacy


    Opening Remarks
    • H.E. Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General
    • H.E. Peter Thomson, President of the seventy-first session of the United Nations General Assembly and Co-Chair of the UN High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly to address Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants
    • H.E. Mogens Lykketoft, President of the seventieth session of the United Nations General Assembly and Co-Chair of the UN High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly to address Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants
    •   13:20-13:25

    Realizing Opportunity: A Story of Partnership


    Government keynote remarks
    • Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
    •   13:25-13:35

    Rising to the Challenge


    Business keynote remarks
    • Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA together with Kaan Terzioğlu, Chief Executive Officer, Turkcell
    • David Abney, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, United Parcel Service (UPS)
    •   13:35-14:20

     

    Coming Together for People, Planet, Peace and Prosperity 

     

    Roundtable Discussion focused on the following four themes:
    • Empowering People: eliminating hunger and poverty, and enabling all people to live in dignity
    • Protecting the Planet: fighting climate change across all sectors to reduce and prevent global shocks and create resilient, stable communities
    • Building Peace: advancing responsible business leadership to prevent and reduce conflict, mobilize markets to reinforce global safety and security
    • Investing in Prosperity: financing sustainability, transforming markets, and leveraging business innovation to accelerate sustainability and prevent instability
    •   14:20-14:35

    Securing the Way Forward


    Business and civil society leaders will reflect on roundtable discussions and share announcements of new partnerships and commitments to advance the SDGs, prevent global instability and address global migration and refugee challenges
    • Simona Scarpaleggia, Chief Executive Officer, IKEA Switzerland
    • Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC
    • Carolyn Miles, President and Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children
    •   14:35-14:45

    Inspiring Momentum – Accelerating Change


    A closing message will challenge and inspire participants to take forward ideas and commitments discussed
    • Richard Curtis, SDG Advocate; Screen Writer, Producer and Film Director
    • Ewan McGregor, UNICEF Ambassador and Actor

     

    Briefing Notes

     

    Organized in the context of the UN High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly to address Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants, the Private Sector Forum features an interactive roundtable segment where participants will be encouraged to share their ideas and engage with other participants. 

     

    Building Peace - Briefing Note [PDF]
    Empowering People - Briefing Note [PDF]
    Protecting the Planet - Briefing Note [PDF]
    Investing in Prosperity - Briefing Note [PDF]

    Morning Events

    • 8:15 - 9:45

    The Future of Spaceship Earth: The SDGs – The Business Frontier

    Launch of a new resource developed by DNV GL that highlights ways that business can deliver solutions to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

    More Information
    • 10:00 - 12:00

    Leading the way in the SDG era: CONNECTING GLOBAL BUSINESS.

    The UN Global Compact together with Monday Morning/Sustainia will present The Global Solutions Platform – the place where business solutions for the global goals will be connected and communicated – and where the SDGs are turned into a new era for responsible business.
    The event will feature a preview of next-generation initiatives in collaboration with GRI, PRI and Volans.

    More Information

    Business Events around UN General Assembly Week

    There are a number of different events in and around UN General Assembly week with a business focus, and many other events which welcome private sector participation. Some are organized by United Nations entities, and many others are convened by outside organizations. 

    Get the UN Global Compact’s Business Guide to UN General Assembly Week [PDF]

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