Spur Innovation, Unleash Investments in Shared Sustainable Development Goals, Secretary-General Tells Industry Leaders at Private-Sector Peace Summit

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, as delivered by Lise Kingo, Executive Director of the Global Compact, to the 2016 Business for Peace Summit honouree dinner, in Oslo, today:

I send my warmest greetings to the 2016 Business for Peace Summit and applaud the business leaders being honoured for their contributions to advancing a more sustainable and peaceful world.

Your focus at this year’s summit on “Moving towards the Global Goals: Business as a Problem Solver” is timely and welcome.  This year must mark a strong start in translating the newly adopted 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and Paris Agreement on climate change from aspiration to reality.

We need all sectors of society to become deeply engaged.  Business can be a leading agent of change and the United Nations looks to you to spur innovation, unleash investments and power sustainable growth.

I commend the Businessworthy Pledge being endorsed at this summit and its call for companies everywhere to take action on the Sustainable Development Goals.  We must engage more companies around the world if we are to achieve the SDGs and spread the word that responsible business is a force for good.

Doing business responsibly, in line with the universal principles advanced by the UN Global Compact, is the starting point for any company seeking to contribute to sustainability.

Thank you for your commitment.  Your advocacy and example can play an important role in driving more action on our shared goals.  Please accept my best wishes for a productive and inspiring event.