2023 SDG Global Business Forum
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EDT | 18 July 2023

Turbocharging the 2030 Agenda with business impact

As we approach the halfway mark to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the world has been confronted with a complex web of interconnected crises that have put the achievement of the 2030 Agenda at serious risk. What needs to change to get back on track to achieve the 2030 Agenda? Who needs to play a more prominent role? How do we ensure a just and fair transition to net zero? What immediate action can companies, governments, business organizations and civil society take to move the needle on the 2030 Agenda?

This year's 2023 SDG Global Business Forum, taking place alongside important policy debates at the ministerial segment of the 2023 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), will welcome a global community of movers and shakers, problem solvers and innovators to debate these questions, discuss priorities, build alliances and co-create high-impact business solutions to turbocharge the SDGs in the remaining seven years before 2030.

In-person registration is now closed. Those with a valid UN grounds pass or stakeholders already registered to attend the 2023 HLPF can attend in person.


An engaging virtual hourlong session is open and the remaining sessions will be available to view
on
UN Web TV.

 

Speakers

H.E. ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
H.E. ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
Secretary-General
United Nations
SANDRA WU
SANDRA WU
Chairperson and CEO
Kokusai Kogyo and UN Global Compact Board
ALEJANDRO ENCINAS NAJERA
ALEJANDRO ENCINAS NAJERA
Undersecretary of Foreign Trade
Mexico
ISSA SANOGO
ISSA SANOGO
UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Madagascar
GILBERT HOUNGBO
GILBERT HOUNGBO
Director-General
ILO
ERIC LOEB
ERIC LOEB
Executive Vice President of Global Government Affairs
Salesforce
IMME SCHOLZ
IMME SCHOLZ
Co-President
Heinrich Böll Foundation
THIERRY RAJAONA
THIERRY RAJAONA
Managing Partner FTHM Consulting
President of Madagascar Employer Federation
GITA SABHARWAL
GITA SABHARWAL
United Nations Resident Coordinator
Thailand
MICHELE PARMELEE
MICHELE PARMELEE
President
International Organisation of Employers
JAYATHMA WICKRAMANAYAKE
JAYATHMA WICKRAMANAYAKE
UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth
SHARI SPIEGEL
SHARI SPIEGEL
Acting Director of the Financing for Sustainable Development Office
UN-DESA
MAYADA ADIL
MAYADA ADIL
Young Leader for SDGs
United Nations
GAVIN POWER
GAVIN POWER
Chief of Sustainable Development and International Affairs
PIMCO
CAROLYN KISSANE
CAROLYN KISSANE
Associate Dean and Clinical Professor
New York University
Michael Okoroafor
Michael Okoroafor
Chief Sustainability Officer
McCormick & Company
MARIA PAZ JERVIS
MARIA PAZ JERVIS
President of CIP Ecuador
President of the Iberoamerican Business Council (CEIB)
VERONIQUE PERDIGON
VERONIQUE PERDIGON
Secretary General
AXIAN Energy
VIKRANT VINIAK
VIKRANT VINIAK
North America Sustainability Lead
Accenture
MOSSADECK BALLY
MOSSADECK BALLY
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Azalaï Hotels
MARCO MARGHERI
MARCO MARGHERI
Head of US Relations
Eni New Energy Inc.
Ann Tracy
Ann Tracy
Chief Sustainability Officer
Colgate-Palmolive
LI JUNHUA
LI JUNHUA
Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs
United Nations
DMITRY MARIYASIN
DMITRY MARIYASIN
Deputy Executive Secretary
UN Economic Commission for Europe
RAQUEL ARTECONA
RAQUEL ARTECONA
Office in Charge
ECLAC Washington Office
HELENA NDAPEWA KUZEE
HELENA NDAPEWA KUZEE
Deputy Permanent Representative of Namibia
SANDEEP CHAUHAN
SANDEEP CHAUHAN
Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation
MATHU JOYINI
Ms. MATHU JOYINI
Ambassador
Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN
SRIKANYA YATHIP
SRIKANYA YATHIP
Secretary General
Government Pension Fund

Agenda

In-person registration is now closed. An engaging virtual hourlong session is available at 8:30 a.m. EDT for anyone to attend and the remaining sessions will be available to view on UN Web TV.

Tuesday, July 18, 2023
8:30 AM

In advance of the SDG Summit, focused on people and re-inspiring enthusiasm and action for  the second half of the 2030 Agenda, this virtual hour will go around the world to feature local  impact stories and new opportunities for accelerating the SDGs based on current projects  connected to the SDGs under review at the 2023 High-Level Political Forum. Through dialogue,  collective planning and implementation at the country level, UN Resident Coordinators,  Employers Federations/Chambers and Global Compact Local Networks can effectuate progress  towards the SDGs. Hear local stories from our partners in numerous countries on their journey  towards progress confronting the many challenges, as well as updates from the LDC+5 Private  Sector Forum and Regional Forums on Sustainable Development.

9:30 AM

Approaching the midpoint of SDG implementation, how is our progress so far? How bad has the  pandemic and the war in Ukraine affected development globally? Going forward, what role does  the world need the private sector to play? This stage-setting session will feature opening  remarks from the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, followed by an inter-generational fact-finding journey to explore “where we are” and “where we need to be” guided by the  Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth Jayathma Wickramanayake.

10:00 AM

Interconnected sustainable development challenges often offer opportunities for integrated  strategies and systemic progress. This session will take a deep dive on relevant goals under in depth review at HLPF, such as water, energy and infrastructure, exploring innovative practices  and lessons learned in understanding and managing their impact on the planet, across value  chains, harnessing the interconnections among SDGs to build synergies. It will highlight actions  needed from business leaders and governments to ensure a just transition to a net zero and  nature-positive world.

10:30 AM

Individuality, independence, trust, partnership, choice, dignity, respect, and rights are all critical  if we are to accelerate SDG implementation in a people-centered manner. All hands must be on  deck from the public and private sector from large to small companies, to governments in cities, to regional hubs, to global institutions. But what is needed for us to partner better and take  action to ensure the most vulnerable are not left behind? This dialogue will highlight the “What?  Who? How?” on potential and existing partnerships that can fast-track SDG implementation.

11:00 AM

What constitutes an enabling environment to scale up private financing for the SDGs? What  policies and financial instruments have worked? What steps need to be taken for investors to hold companies more accountable for their environmental, social and governance impacts? This  session will provide a platform for practitioners to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities,  share lessons learned and best practices, and make policy recommendations to further unlock  the potential of private financing for the SDGs.

11:30 AM

Led by the Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Assistant-Secretary-General Sanda  Ojiambo with private sector, Government and youth leaders, join us for a dynamic closing where  the private sector will be challenged to raise their ambition levels. Calls to action featured in the  SDG Global Business Forum will demonstrate the viability of tangible, reportable, accountable  action in five areas - living wage, gender equality, climate, water, and sustainable finance.