The 2014 UN Global Compact Board meeting, chaired by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, focused on key priorities, including ongoing work to improve good governance, scale up corporate sustainability, and advance the private sector's role in the post-2015 development agenda.
In his remarks to the Board, which held its biannual meeting at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on 2 July 2014, Ban said 2015 marks the 15th anniversary of the Global Compact, which is "the first and only public-private initiative of the UN based on network governance.”
2 July 2014: The 2014 UN Global Compact Board meeting, chaired by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, focused on key priorities, including ongoing work to improve good governance, scale up corporate sustainability, and advance the private sector’s role in the post-2015 development agenda. In his remarks to the Board, which held its biannual meeting at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on 2 July 2014, Ban said 2015 marks the 15th anniversary of the Global Compact, which is “the first and only public-private initiative of the UN based on network governance.”
Noting the elevation of post-2015 priorities on business agendas worldwide, Ban explained that 2014 is the year to lay the groundwork for success in 2015 regarding: achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); adopting a new climate agreement; and establishing “a new vision for a sustainable future.” He said one of his priorities is to scale up the UN’s capacity to engage in transformative actions with the private sector, civil society, philanthropy and academia. He proposed establishing a UN Partnership Facility to help fill UN capacity gaps and take partnerships to scale.
During a high-level luncheon, the UN Global Compact Board, the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Advisory Council and the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Champions Group met with UN permanent representatives to focus on business opportunities for shaping and advancing the post-2015 development agenda. Co-hosted by the Permanent Representatives of Brazil, Nigeria and Switzerland to the UN, participants emphasized an increasing recognition that responsible business and investors are committed to advancing UN issues and are critical partners in developing and implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Global Compact introduced a white paper, titled ‘The Role of Business and Finance in Supporting the Post-2015 Agenda,’ which showcases five implementation mechanisms to scale up the private sector’s contribution: small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); partnerships; transparency and accountability; enabling government policies; and private sustainability finance. [Global Compact Press Release] [UN Secretary-General Statement to Board] [UN Secretary-General Statement to Luncheon] [Publication: The Role of Business and Finance in Supporting the Post-2015 Agenda]