UN Global Compact kicks off annual conference in Delhi

With less than 5,000 days left to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the event aims to mobilize responsible business actions, drive breakthrough innovation and create new market opportunities that advance the Global Goals.

“The SDGs provide a global plan of action for people, planet and prosperity – a plan of action with a universal set of goals and targets that empowers us all to deliver the world that we want.” said Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.

“Every year, as part of our Making Global Goals Local Business movement, we host a flagship regional event. This year, we are in New Delhi because India is the land of opportunity for sustainable development: If India delivers on the Global Goals we will be halfway towards the 2030 Agenda,” Kingo said.

To enable business around the world to take action on the SDGs, the UN Global Compact launched two important initiatives on the first day of the event.

The new Global Opportunity Explorer aims to be the world’s largest digital platform connects business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors with new partners, projects, markets and talents to deliver on the SDGs. Through a newBlueprint for SDG Leadership, the UN Global Compact will guide businesses on how to take concrete leadership action on each of the SDGs.

In the opening plenary, India’s Minister of State for Finance, Santosh Kumar Gangwar, said “I congratulate the UN Global Compact for organizing this dedicated program on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in India" he continued, "The Indian government has taken bold initiatives in the last three years so as to translate our commitment to SGDs, and our visionary leader Narendra Modi is working tirelessly to achieve SDGs by 2030 in a big way....Making Global Goals Local Business is a strategy to engage business on the 2030 SDG agenda to develop innovative business models and help achieve the SDGs."

Kamal Singh, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network India said, “We are extremely honored to bring a global platform to India to showcase local businesses and innovations around SDGs. With the launch of this 2-day event, we have set a mission of providing a blueprint for forward-thinking. This gives Indian businesses an opportunity to succeed in implementing Global Goals and innovate the SDGs in the local context.”

On Thursday at the forum, the UN Global Compact will outline the breakthrough innovation and systemic solutions needed to meet the Global Goals by 2030 and will launch the 2017 series of the Global Compact SDG Pioneers campaign at the closing plenary. Additionally, the Business and Sustainable Development Commission will release its Better Business Better World - India country report highlighting how the SDGs offer a compelling growth strategy for the private sector in India