Staff Writer
UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator Mr Edward Kallon has called on policy and decision makers to level-up the ground for sustainable business to thrive.
Speaking at the annual Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce congress in Victoria Falls, Mr Kallon encouraged the businesses community under ZNCC to join the UN Global Compact and subsequently establish a local compact for business sustainability.
“Corporate sustainability begins with a company’s value system and a principles-based approach. This involves meeting fundamental responsibilities in environment, human rights, labor, and anti-corruption. Responsible businesses uphold these values consistently, knowing that good in one area doesn’t negate harm in another,” Mr Kallon said.
“By embracing the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact (available on UNCOMPACT.ORG) in their strategies, policies, and culture, companies uphold their duties to people and planet, paving the way for sustainable business.
“The UN Development System in Zimbabwe and my office is at your disposal to facilitate for the business in Zimbabwe to join the UN Global Compact and establishment of a local compact.”
Mr Kallon said addressing the dual challenge of industrialization and climate change requires collaboration among government, private sector, civil society, and international partners including the International Financial Institutions. “Multi-stakeholder platforms can facilitate dialogue, share best practices, and coordinate efforts towards common sustainability goals.
“However, the disconnect between our 21stcentury ambitions and our 20 century legacy structures is impending progress on the SDGs while institutions, markets, investment incentives and policy processes continue to favor siloed approaches over integration at a time we are witnessing ruptures in global governance and serious constraints to multilateralism,” he said.
Mid point to 2030, he said, only about 15 per cent of the SDG targets were on track; close to half, though showing progress, are moderately or severely off track; and some 30 per cent have either seen no movement or regressed below the 2015 baseline.
He said at current rates, only 30 per cent of all countries will achieve even SDG 1 on poverty by 2030.
“Hunger has increased and is back at 2005 levels. Gender equality is some 300 years away.
“We need to urgently create momentum to achieve the SDGs, and adopt a right -based, multisectoral approach to implement the six transitions that are required to ensure food and nutrition security for all, namely the transformation of food systems, energy access and affordability, digital connectivity, education, jobs and social protection, and climate change biodiversity loss and pollution,” he said.
“These transitions are critical catalytic and multiplier pathways across the SDGs and a stimulus for industrialization and climate Smart Agriculture.”
He said partnerships and joint initiatives in favor of industrialization, including technology transfer, productive diversification, agribusiness value chain development, trade capacity building, renewable energy and energy efficiency, industrial policy, special economic zones and industrial parks, climate change and human capital development are critical to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area capable of transforming the continent into a US$3 trillion economic block of 1.2 billion people, with a potential to lift up to 30 million Africans out of extreme poverty that could also boost intra-African exports by around US$50 to US$70 billion, thus offering enormous opportunities for accelerating industrial development to drive innovative and transformative climate action to promote sustainable industrial practices and mobilize finances from the private sector .
Strengthening public-private partnerships (PPP) with a range of stakeholders. call for multi-stakeholders and enhanced international cooperation including, among others, North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation.
The recent regional SADC Commemoration of the World Environment Day in Harare presided over by the First Lady was a good example of engaging young people and school children.
“Such efforts need to be institutionalized and consistently promoted for mindset shift in organizing an environmentally conscious society,” he said.
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