IOE at the UN General Assembly (UNGA76)

Following a special 76th session of the UN General Assembly, IOE offers an overview of the latest developments on the international scene, global discussions and main outcomes of this session.

For the past few weeks, global attention focused on the UN General Assembly's 76th Session (UNGA76), a gathering of world leaders. UNGA took place this year against a backdrop of growing challenges; the impact of COVID-19, growing inequality between and within countries, accelerating climate emergency, strained multilateralism, and conflict. The UN Secretary-General summed it up in his Our Common Agenda report as an imminent breakdown.

There is also hope for bold and innovative solutions, a breakthrough. Achieving this will require global solidarity and inclusive multilateralism, which includes the private sector as a stakeholder. We know that business is a source of incredible innovation, energy, and efficiency – which are all sorely needed to tackle these daunting problems.

Another unfortunate trend during UNGA76 has been the continued exclusion of civil society groups. While over 100 leaders of Member States and journalists were present at the GA, accredited organizations continue to be denied access out of stated concerns regarding COVID-19. The Business and Industry Major Group, which IOE co-chairs, was also affected. Although business was represented in many events during UNGA, this was primarily through individual companies; the collective and representative voice of business must be also heard. This is also why IOE remains committed to attaining Permanent Observer Status at the UN General Assembly.  

IOE policy and thought leadership at UNGA76

IOE was highly active and visible during UNGA76, using the moment to advocate for public/private cooperation, share our latest thought leadership and policy guidance, and lead and participate in discussions touching on the most pressing issues we face today. IOE co-organized and participated in several high-level events and launched two publications.

At the UNGA Business Townhall co-organized by IOE, USCIB and Business at OECD, IOE President, Michele Parmelee, said that “climate change is reimagining the way we do everything” and stressed the need for public-private partnerships to address the scale of the challenge.

The IOE President also spoke in the Meeting of Heads of State and Government on Jobs and Social Protection for Poverty Eradication convened by the UN Secretary-General and the International Labour Organization (ILO), where she flagged the issues of the digital divide, skills development, and climate-friendly jobs. Her intervention was supplemented by an IOE white paper that presents the employers’ perspective on Financing for Development.

At the 2021 SDG Business Forum, IOE Secretary-General, Roberto Suárez Santos, spoke of the need to strengthen rule of law, address corruption & informality, promote responsible business conduct and ensure that trade and investment treaties are human rights-compatible.

IOE and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) launched a joint publication, “Human rights due diligence and supply chain law - What business needs to know,” and brought together thought leaders on the subject in a digital talk. 

As follow up to the UN Food Systems Summit, IOE co-led with USAID a workshop on a Coalition to Boost Youth Engagement and Employment in Agri-Food Systems to tackle the pressing issue of youth unemployment, particularly in developing countries where 85% of global youth live. 

Roberto also spoke at the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) and 3M event SDG 8: Bringing Back Workers Safely to give the international perspective on the New Normal in return to work.

Next steps

With UNGA76 behind us, IOE will be working to realize the Common Agenda’s call for solidarity and inclusive multilateralism for overcoming our global challenges and turn to other upcoming global debates to bring business perspectives and contributions.