Global Compact Office Executive Director Georg Kell provided an update on the role of business at the upcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) and on the Global Compact's plans to stage a Corporate Sustainability Forum from 15-18 June 2012, voicing the hope that the Forum would deliver innovation and collaboration under the theme “For a Future We Want.”
28 February 2012: Speaking at a press conference in New York, US, UN Global Compact Office Executive Director Georg Kell provided an update on the role of business at the upcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) and on the Global Compact’s plans to stage a Corporate Sustainability Forum from 15-18 June 2012.
Expressing concern that participation in the Global Compact was still lagging below expectations, Kell voiced the hope that the private sector component of Rio+20 would deliver innovation and collaboration under the theme “For a Future We Want.” He emphasized the increasing need for the private sector to put sustainability on its agenda, and said Rio+20 would provide the opportunity for business leaders and investors to further spearhead their sustainability initiatives with governments, local authorities, and civil society groups. “Our hope is that Rio+20 will deliver a very strong encouragement for corporate sustainability. That we will be able to demonstrate that most of the solutions we need exist already,” he stated.
The Global Compact initiative was launched to promote responsible business practices on the basis of UN values and principles. [UN News Release][UN Press Briefing]