The Canadian Network of the United Nations Global Compact and Global Affairs Canada bring together leaders to discuss how Canada will take action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and work to achieve them.
TORONTO, February 8, 2016 – In September 2015, the United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and governments, business, and civil society actors around the world have agreed to work towards them. Coinciding with International Development Week, which runs from February 7 to 13, the Canadian Network of the United Nations Global Compact, together with Global Affairs Canada, have hosted a National Roundtable to identify practical ways the Canadian private sector can take action towards the achievement of the Agenda 2030.
Karina Gould, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, has delivered the keynote speech. Huguette Labelle, former Chair, Transparency International; Tara Nathan, Executive Director, MasterCard; John Coyne, Vice-President, Legal and External Affairs and General Counsel, Unilever Canada Inc.; and David Creighton, Deputy Chair, Cordiant Capital, have taken part in a panel discussion on the role of the Canadian private sector in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Government, civil society and business all have important roles to play in eradicating poverty and promoting global prosperity. The private sector can offer access to capital markets, contribute innovative approaches and expertise in specific areas to foster new opportunities to promote growth in developing countries.” –Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Government of Canada
”Based on a survey conducted by the Global Compact Network Canada, it is clear that Canadian private sector organizations want to take action and be a part of the solution. The survey shows high engagement to end world hunger, to address climate change, to reduce inequalities, as well as to ensure decent work and economic growth. But often private sector organizations don’t know where to start or how to explore options for innovative private public partnerships,” explains Helle Bank Jorgensen, President of the Global Compact Network Canada. “The Canadian Chapter of the United Nations Global Compact wants to bring together different stakeholders and help draw the roadmap on how Canada can meet these goals by fostering mutual understanding of the Global Goals and encouraging innovative partnerships.”
For more information, please visit the dedicated National Roundtable on the Role of the Canadian Private Sector in meeting the SDGs Event page.
Quick facts on the Sustainable Development Goals
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an ambitious, comprehensive, integrated, non-binding framework laying out the path for sustainable development over the next 15 years. It builds on the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals. At the heart of the Agenda are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that emphasize the eradication of extreme poverty, with a focus on the poorest and most vulnerable, and a commitment to leave no one behind. The goals address the most important economic, social, environmental and governance challenges of our time. The universal scope of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development engages all countries and communities and requires action and implementation from all actors.