The SDGs In Action Forum is an annual high-level event that brings together leaders from the private sector, UN Member States, UN agencies, and international organizations so that they can leverage their experience, access to market, and resources towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The private sector is well-positioned to bring sustainable long-term solutions to achieving the SDGs by the 2030 target. Likewise, the SDGs present significant opportunities for the private sector to open up new markets and attract new private investments in sustainable development.
Using Chatham House Rules, the Forum is intentionally designed to be interactive and intimate with the key goal to convene and create partnerships among the different stakeholders participating in the event. A report (with non-attribution) will be produced after the meeting, summarizing key topics and solutions.
This year's Forum will focus on three major themes. In subsequent years, the Forum's themes will expand to include every UN SDG. To learn more about this year's three Forum themes read below.
Money and finance touches every business, fuels the global economy, and is the key ingredient for the developing world to move forward. Traditional currencies and cryptocurrencies are changing at a rapid rate, making it both easier to access networks and more difficult to understand. Apple Pay, Square, Paypal, Venmo, crypto currency and blockchain are changing the way business is transacted. How can the financial sector at large and new technologies help achieve a more prosperous global society?
In July 2019, the UN High Level Political Forum will review SDG 16 on “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” and SDG 10 on “Reduced Inequalities”. The countdown to the review process has started and stakeholders are discussing how the implementation of those two key Goals can bring about the vision of Agenda 2030 and leave no one behind. Within this context, what is the role that the private sector can play and how, through its knowledge and resources, can it boost the implementation and review mechanisms?
The #MeToo movement is a turning point for women in society and the workplace. The C-suite and most leadership positions at the policy and governmental level are still male dominated, however. To advance, women around the world need more access to legal, financial, and policy opportunities at all levels. What can we learn from both the private and civil society sectors about initiatives and partnership that work to advance women on all these levels globally?
Her Excellency Dr. Isatou Touray is a Gambian politician, activist, and social reformer. A noted campaigner against female genital mutilation (FGM), she became the first female Gambian presidential candidate in 2016, before dropping out to endorse Adama Barrow. She has since served as Trade Minister, and then as Health Minister.
Margery Kraus, founder and executive chairman of APCO Worldwide, a global consulting firm headquartered in Washington, DC, specializes in communication and business consulting for major multinationals. Ms. Kraus founded APCO in 1984 and transformed it from a company with one small Washington office to a multinational consulting firm.
The Forum will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on the first day of UNGA. Access to the UN Headquarters will only be granted to those invitees who have RSVP’d to the invitation and have received confirmation. Please bring your government issued photo ID in order to enter the UN building. Refer to the official UN website on items you may not bring in the building for security reasons. Participants are kindly requested to come to the IDLO checkpoint located at 46th and 2nd avenue from 8:30 to 9:00 am to collect their special event pass. After collecting the pass from the IDLO representative at the checkpoint, participants will be escorted through security to Conference Room A.
