IOE NY Update: The UN General Assembly kicks off

The IOE office in New York highlights some upcoming events and opportunities that bring the private sector to the UN table.

It is that time of year, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) started its 76th session on 14 September. The most high-profile segment of UNGA is the 9-day General Debate full of speeches and meetings of world leaders, starting on 21 September. The theme for the 76th session is "Building resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalise the United Nations."

IOE will be participating in several UNGA events (see below) and also actively pursuing our request for UN Observer Status to bring the voice of the private sector to the highest levels of global policy debates.

Ahead of UNGA76, the UN Secretary-General released a highly anticipated report, “Our Common Agenda” in which he warned that we are standing on a precipice with a stark choice facing humanity of “a breakdown or a breakthrough.” IOE supports the SG’s call for inclusive multilateralism which brings together diverse stakeholders, including the private sector, to help tackle pressing global challenges at this critical juncture for humanity.

The UNGA is also usually accompanied by many high-level events organized by the Member States, the UN, and other international organisations – and this year is no different. As most events are virtual, we invite our Members to take advantage of the increased accessibility to join the conversation!

UNGA Events with IOE Presence:

Reinvigorating Inclusive Multilateralism: A Business Town Hall at UNGA76 – USCIB with IOE and OECD

20 September – 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET (New York Time)

Info and Registration here

Uniting Business LIVE – UN Global Compact

20-22 September (3 days)

The 3-day event includes the Global Impact Forum for Local Networks and the SDG Business Forum, which will include IOE Secretary-General, Roberto Suarez Santos, as a keynote speaker on 22 September at 11:00 – 11:45am ET (New York time)

Registration here (Free for IOE Members - register as UN Global Compact Participants & Signatories)

Digital talk: “Human rights due diligence and supply chain law - What business needs to know” – IOE and Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS)

23 September - 14:00-15:30 CET with interpretation into Spanish and French.

Registration here

Meeting of Heads of State and Government on Jobs and Social Protection for Poverty Eradication – UN Secretary General’s Office and the International Labour Organization (ILO) – with participation of IOE President, Michele Parmelee

28 September – 9:00am-12:00pm ET (New York time)

Watch on UN TV

SDG8: Bringing Back Workers Safely – BCIU and 3M – featuring IOE Secretary-General, Roberto Suarez Santos as a panel speaker

29 September – 8:00am – 10:00am ET (New York time)

Registration here

Other events that may be interesting for IOE members

SDG Moment 2021

20 September – 9:00am – 6:00pm ET (New York time)

UN WebTV [ webtv.un.org/]  

Devex @ UNGA 76 - Panel: How the UN works with the private sector

September 23 - 10:05am ET (New York time)

Registration here