UN Global Compact Launches “Pioneers” Programme as Part of SDG Roll Out Strategy

NEW YORK, February 18, 2016 /3BL Media/ - United Nations Global Compact headquarters announced today the launch of a multi-year Local Network SDG Action Plan - the centerpiece being a “Pioneers” programme aimed to spur action and inspire business to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in countries around the world. The overall Action Plan is designed to assist the UN Global Compact’s 80-plus Local Networks in developing and executing relevant SDG implementation strategies and link these, where possible, with national plans of action.

The launch of the UN Global Compact Local SDG Pioneers programme kicks off the Action Plan and is designed to honor select business leaders and change-makers who can demonstrate that businesses can be successful while contributing to sustainable development. The global search for Pioneers aims to spur action and inspire more businesses to get involved in the SDG agenda with the most inspiring Pioneers being recognized at the 2016 UN Global Compact Leaders Summit.

“Our new annual Local SDG Pioneers campaign is designed to make global goals local business.” said Lise Kingo, Executive Director, UN Global Compact. “As we embark on achieving the SDGs, the UN Global Compact is taking the lead on turning these goals into drivers for sustainable business innovation.”

The SDGs give important direction to the UN Global Compact’s founding mission to encourage companies to do business responsibly – based on the ten universal principles – and to provide solutions to global challenges. As an ongoing initiative, the UN Global Compact hopes the Local SDG Pioneers campaign will encourage outstanding efforts on responsible business around the world and scale-up the action on the SDGs over time.

Pioneer Selection Process

The global campaign for Local SDG Pioneers will have two submission criteria to help identify individuals who are acting on the new SDG business opportunities. The first category will identify the best local business leaders and the second will identify the best local change-makers. Any person with an official affiliation to an active UN Global Compact participant organization (both private sector and civil society), or PRME school can be nominated as a Local SDG Pioneer.

A Pioneers Selection Group of leading experts from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors will cast their votes based on a set of criteria, and identify five finalists for each category. The Pioneer in each category with the most votes will receive special recognition at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit, 22-23 June 2016, and will enter into a year-long programme with the UN Global Compact to further develop the Pioneers’ global potential and support their ambitions.

Local Network Kick-start Workshops

Global Compact Local Networks will play an essential part in the roll out of the SDGs and Local SDG Pioneers campaign to businesses everywhere. Networks in over 80 countries stand poised to deliver SDG Kick-start Workshops that will engage the 13,000+ UN Global Compact participants, help identify local priorities and opportunities related to the SDGs, and shine a light on the new faces and businesses behind sustainable development in local markets.

SDG Resources and Tools

To help roll out the SDGs to business worldwide, the UN Global Compact recently launched a fresh set of tools and resources to aid in the implementation of the global goals.

• The UN Business Action Hub is platform where UN agencies and business engage in dialogue, share information and take action to advance UN objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• The SDG Compass –developed jointly by GRI, the UN Global Compact and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) – guides companies in taking a strategic approach to the SDGs and enhancing their contribution to sustainable development through core business activities.
• The SDG Industry Matrix – developed jointly by KPMG and the UN Global Compact - provides practical guidance for companies and showcases industry-specific examples and ideas for corporate action related to each SDG.

UN Global Compact Leaders Summit

The 2016 UN Global Compact Leaders Summit (22-23 June, New York) will recognize the most inspiring Local SDG Pioneers and provide a dynamic stage to jump-start business action everywhere on the new SDGs. The Summit will connect, co-create and communicate the opportunities that lie within the SDGs and unleash the potential of turning global goals into local business. Through inspirational talks, intimate roundtables and SDG-themed networking opportunities, the Summit aims to inspire the business models, products, services and partnerships of tomorrow.

About the UN Global Compact

The United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take action in support of UN goals and issues embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN Global Compact is a leadership platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible corporate practices. Launched in 2000, it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with more than 8,000 companies and 4,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and more than 85 Local Networks.