Private Sector Has Key Role in Addressing Anxiety about Jobs, Fears for Future

 

Prospects, Secretary-General Tells Global Social Business Summit

 

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the Global Social Business Summit 2011 in Vienna, 11-12 November, delivered by Thomas Stelzer, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Interagency Affairs, Department of Economic and Social Affairs:

I am pleased to send greetings to the Global Social Business Summit.

Since the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals, the world has faced a test of its resolve to help the poorest of the poor.  We have achieved significant progress in addressing poverty, hunger, illiteracy, disease and environmental degradation.  But gains are fragile, and both the global economic climate and climate change are making an already hard job even more challenging.

That is why, at the G-20 Summit earlier this month in Cannes, I urged leaders to write a new social contract for the twenty-first century.  We need to forge a common agenda to address widespread anxiety about jobs and fear about future prospects.

The private sector has an important role to play.  As a primary driver of innovation, investment and job creation, business is well placed to help accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals by the agreed deadline of 2015.

The Business Call to Action platform is enabling companies to build more inclusive business models that reach the poor.  And through the United Nations Global Compact, more than 6,000 companies in 140 countries have committed to aligning their operations with universal values that benefit individuals while fostering more sustainable and inclusive markets.

I am pleased that at this Global Social Business Summit, one of my Millennium Development Goals Advocates, Professor Muhammad Yunus, will be launching, with the United Nations, the “YY Millennium Tour”, an initiative aimed at involving more youth in this quest.  Youth are showing their influence throughout the world, and they deserve support and opportunities to reach their potential and make the greatest possible contribution to our shared future.  That is why I have made addressing the needs of youth one of my top priorities.

It is in our collective interest to harness the power of the private sector for the benefit of people and the planet that sustains us.  I encourage you to use this Global Social Business Summit to explore what more you can do to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

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For information media • not an official record