UNGA 78 – Closing the corporate accountability gap in pursuit of sustainable development

This September, 193 member states of the United Nations will gather in New York City for the 78th United Nations General Assembly, where they willl provide updates on their progress to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and discuss, debate, and make recommendations.

During this period the World Benchmarking Alliance will publish its white paper on corporate accountability. The paper aims to bring a understanding of corporate accountability in the context of global agendas like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Agreement, and its ability to transform companies. By understanding corporate accountability as a process that involves many stakeholders, it recognises the need for a concerted effort willed by collective leadership.

We will be hosting two in-person events in New York City around this theme.

Launch event: Closing the corporate accountability gap in pursuit of sustainable development

Wednesday 20 September
18:30–20:30, New York City (in-person event only)

During this high-level panel and networking event, we will bring together leaders across government, business, civil society and more, to better understand each of our roles in closing the corporate accountability gap, so that companies feel both included and obligated to meet the SDGs. The discussion will look towards solutions, particularly in the context of next year’s Summit of the Future. It will also look at opportunities to strengthen processes to reinvigorate the multilateral system, ensuring that the 2030 Agenda is systemically relevant and consequential to the private sector.

This event is part of the Action Speaks Summit, which has been organised by IKEA/Ingka.

Speakers and panellists

• Axel de La Maisonneuve, ECOSOC Ambassador, Head/International Partnerships & Sustainable Development, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations
• Gerbrand Haverkamp, Executive Director, World Benchmarking Alliance
• Hana Heineken, Senior Legal Strategist, Corporate Accountability, Client Earth
• Hindou Omarou Ibrahim, President of the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad
• Stephen Kiptinness, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Safaricom
• Marc-André Blanchard, Executive Vice-President and Head of CDPQ Global and Global Head of Sustainability
• Maria Luiza Paiva, Chief Sustainability Officer, Vale
• Nathan Fabian, Chief Sustainable Systems Officer, PRI
• Sonia Medina, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer and Executive Director of Climate, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)
• Dr Stefanos Fotiou, Director, Office of Sustainable Development Goals, Head, UN Food Systems Coordinator Hub

RSVP

Please express your interest via the link below (in-person event only). If your registration is successful, you will receive a confirmation email with the address of the venue and the agenda.

2023 Alliance Action Forum

Thursday 21 September
9:30 to 11:30am, New York City (in-person event only)

We are thrilled to invite you to our second edition of the Alliance Action Forum on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly. Join us for an inclusive, multi-stakeholder dialogue, with a spotlight on regional perspectives on embedding corporate accountability within the UN ecosystem.

Framed by the launch of our white paper about closing the corporate accountability gap, our forum will seek to propel aspiration into action, channeling the power of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among Allies to bring tangible, multi-stakeholder initiatives to life.

Expanding on the groundwork laid by last year’s inaugural Alliance Action Forum, this year’s event will highlight regional perspectives, emphasising stakeholders from Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Structured in an interactive workshop format, the dialogue will involve 30 multi-stakeholder participants from civil society, NGOs, business associations, academic institutions, investors, multilateral agencies and consultancies from our global Alliance.

RSVP

Please express your interest via the link below (in-person event only). If your registration is successful, you will receive a confirmation email with the address of the venue and the agenda.