Coalition Hosts 'Decade of Delivery: Business & The Global Goals'
From left to right: Nick Baird, Group Corporate Affairs Director, Centrica, Libby Smith, Acting CEO of the Coalition, Lousie Scott, Director of Global Sustainability & Global SDG Leader, PwC, John Denton AO, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce, Kate Gibson, Global Director of Diageo in Society, Diageo, Matthew Rycroft CBE, Permanent Secretary, Department for International Development, Rachel McEwen, Chief Sustainability Officer, SSE Plc, Lord Jack McConnell, Co-Chair, APPG on the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development, Euan Munro, CEO, Aviva Investors
The Coalition were thrilled to convene leaders from across business, government and civil society in Parliament this week to discuss how the UK can drive progress and deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
The conference boasted an outstanding line-up of speakers including Secretary General of International Chamber of Commerce John Denton AO, Permanent Secretary of the Department for International Development Matthew Rycroft CBE and Global Director of Diageo in Society Kate Gibson.
“The leading edge of the private sector is thinking not just about return but about impact.”
- Matthew Rycroft CBE, Permanent Secretary, Department for International Development
Co-Chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Global Goals Lord Jack McConnell and Gillian Keegan chaired the keynote and panel discussions, with Q&A from an audience of business, political and civil society leaders.
With just 10 years to go until the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) deadline, discussion focused on how the private sector and government can work together to deliver on the aims set out 5 years ago in New York.
“We should be proud of our leadership role in Development. The private sector will be crucial to achieving the Global Goals in the next 10 years. Business is helping to advance prosperity for all of us.”
- Gillian Keegan MP, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Global Goals
Less than 10% of people around the world now live in extreme poverty, down from 37% in 1990. The world is ready for a final push. As a development superpower and world financial and business centre, the UK is uniquely placed to give that push. British leadership in development can help lead millions out of poverty, supporting developing countries and emerging markets as they seek to forge new trading partnerships.
But if we are to ensure that more people can leave behind the horrors of extreme hardship, the choices made by global businesses will be vital. Ensuring that businesses align their strategic plans with the SDGs will deliver more and better investments, less harm and drive the growth of sustainable jobs. Development aid will not deliver the SDGs alone.
This event was co-Hosted by the Coalition for Global Prosperity, the APPG for the Global Goals, the International Chamber of Commerce and Project Everyone, a full list of speakers can be found here.