UN Global Compact UNGA81 Event Calendar
20-26 September 2026 | New York City
Africa has staked its position as the cornerstone of the world’s future. The continent is now positioned to be the most important driver of global business with a $3 trillion market opportunity.
The Global Africa Business Initiative puts the private sector at the center of the discussions and the solutions. GABI is a platform that places Africa in its rightful place in the global economy and positions the continent as the premier destination for business, trade and investment.
Themed 'Unstoppable Africa 2026: Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future', this year's edition of GABI is deal-focused and execution-driven. Heads of state, CEOs, investors, and innovators convene not to discuss Africa's potential, but to close transactions, launch investment vehicles, and build the infrastructure that keeps value on the continent.
The global energy transition is at a critical inflection point. Geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain disruption have exposed the risks of fossil fuel dependence, while strengthening the case for clean, diversified and domestically anchored energy systems. Yet despite falling renewable costs and growing CEO confidence in private sector leadership, progress has not reached the speed or scale the moment demands.
The 2026 UN Private Sector Forum will bring together 150 senior leaders from business, government and the United Nations for a focused conversation on what it will take to accelerate a clean and just energy transition. Hosted by the UN Global Compact on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, this invitation-only roundtable will examine how the private sector and public institutions can work together to close the gap between current commitments and the pace of change required to stay on a 1.5°C pathway.
From investment models and grid infrastructure to policy enablers and energy access in underserved markets, participants will surface practical solutions and help shape a collective business response to the Secretary-General's call to action. This Forum creates a direct channel between business, government and the UN to align on priorities, signal demand and build the cross-sector partnerships needed to move from ambition to action.
This high-level roundtable brings together government leaders, heads of UN agencies, and CEOs from across the ocean economy to identify the key enablers needed to meet growing global demand in sectors such as green shipping and offshore renewable energy. The closed-door meeting is designed to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors while fostering innovative solutions that support a sustainable and resilient ocean economy. This event is by invitation only. Please contact naas@unglobalcompact.org for more information.
Join the Water Resilience Coalition for an exclusive CEO & Executive Roundtable during Climate Week NYC, taking place from 5:30–6:30 PM on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the New York Stock Exchange. Today, the WRC is mobilizing 44 companies across 24 priority basins, reaching 63 million people and catalyzing over $500M alongside partners including WaterEquity. This roundtable will focus on scaling impact, expanding participation, and accelerating capital, innovation, and accountability in water resilience. This session will bring together a select group of CEOs and C‑suite leaders for a focused conversation on how business leadership can accelerate progress across these priorities. We look forward to your participation. This event is by invitation only. Please contact smorales@pacinst.org for more information.
Join us for our Corporate Water Stewardship Half Day held alongside New York Climate Week The program will feature discussions on collective action initiatives and provide updates on Positive Water Impact (PWI), water value chains, Water Scopes, nature-based solutions, basin-level collaboration, and preparations for the 2028 UN Water Conference. Attendees will also hear examples of innovative partnerships and collaborative approaches that are advancing water resilience around the world. We kindly request that each organization send no more than two attendees. Please fill out the Eventbrite to request an invitation. Due to limited capacity, we will be accepting individuals on an ongoing basis.
The roundtable brings together leaders from across the finance ecosystem—including multilateral development banks, central banks, institutional investors, asset owners, corporations, and governments—to explore the systemic policies and regulatory frameworks needed to increase the pipeline of bankable, investable projects. Discussions will focus on creating an enabling environment that mobilizes private capital at scale, highlighting the actions investors are taking today and identifying opportunities for greater collaboration across the financial ecosystem. Participants will examine how public and private sector stakeholders can work together to unlock investment, accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy, and drive meaningful climate action. This event is by invitation only. Please contact naas@unglobalcompact.org for more information.
As climate change accelerates, so too must the pace and scale of innovation. U.S. companies have long been at the forefront of innovative climate solutions. Today, that innovation encompasses not only technology, but also new ways of thinking, from business models and investment frameworks to cross but also new ways of thinking, from business models and investment frameworks to cross-sector collaborations that challenge traditional ways of doing business. "Driving the Future of Climate Action" will bring together corporate sustainability leaders to explore the innovations shaping climate action. The program is designed to be dynamic and interactive, featuring a brief panel on how U.S. companies are translating ambition into action and where the greatest opportunities lie ahead. This will be paired with a demo drive of the all-electric Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity and a live, digital “climate time capsule,” where attendees can contribute predictions and priorities for the year ahead. Together, the event is designed to spark ideas, surface new perspectives, and leave participants with a feeling of momentum and optimism for the future of climate action
Africa has staked its position as the cornerstone of the world’s future. The continent is now positioned to be the most important driver of global business with a $3 trillion market opportunity.
The Global Africa Business Initiative puts the private sector at the center of the discussions and the solutions. GABI is a platform that places Africa in its rightful place in the global economy and positions the continent as the premier destination for business, trade and investment.
Themed 'Unstoppable Africa 2026: Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future', this year's edition of GABI is deal-focused and execution-driven. Heads of state, CEOs, investors, and innovators convene not to discuss Africa's potential, but to close transactions, launch investment vehicles, and build the infrastructure that keeps value on the continent.
Air pollution remains one of the world's most significant environmental and public health challenges, contributing to millions of premature deaths each year while imposing substantial economic costs. Despite its close links with climate change and sustainable development, air pollution has often received less attention within corporate sustainability agendas than other environmental issues. At the same time, there is growing recognition of the important role that businesses can play in driving solutions, alongside governments, investors and other stakeholders. The roundtable will bring together a select group of leaders from business, governments, international organizations, investors, civil society and industry associations to discuss how stronger leadership, partnerships and collective action can accelerate progress towards cleaner air. This event is by invitation only. Please contact sierra.craig@unglobalcompact.org for more information.
UN Global Compact Spain will host a cocktail reception for Spanish companies attending the UN Global Compact Week and the Permanent Mission of Spain to the United Nations. On Tuesday, September 22, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., we will hold this gathering at one of New York City's most iconic locations: the Chrysler Building (405 Lexington Ave, 47th floor). It will be a unique opportunity to visit one of the city’s architectural landmarks while networking with other companies/ Spanish institutions/UN agencies, building relationships, and exchanging ideas in a relaxed and exclusive cocktail-style setting. This event is by invitation only. Please contact virginiaperezbedmar@pactomundial.org for more information.
The UN Global Leaders Summit is back, bigger and bolder than ever. Experience more keynotes, workshops, breakouts and networking opportunities. Join a powerful community of purpose-driven leaders shaping the future of sustainability.
The UN Global Leaders Summit is back, bigger and bolder than ever. Experience more keynotes, workshops, breakouts and networking opportunities. Join a powerful community of purpose-driven leaders shaping the future of sustainability.
This is an all-day conference, in partnership with the High Ambition Climate Collective, the Port of Seattle, C40 Cities, and the Port Authority of NY/NJ, to discuss port electrification, alternative fuel infrastructure, maritme decarbonization, and more. This event is by invitation only. Please contact naas@unglobalcompact.org for more information.
Over 200 senior leaders from participating companies of the United Nations Global Compact and representatives from the United Nations will come together at UN Global Compact Network USA's annual flagship event.
Hosted during the UN General Assembly, the Summit serves as a platform to champion practical business action, foster cross-sector partnerships, and accelerate collaborative solutions for a more sustainable and resilient future.
Request your invitation to attend at no cost!