IOE NY Wrap up for 2021 and Best Wishes for 2022

As 2021 comes to an end, the IOE office in New York looks back at this year's achievements and shares hopes for 2022.

Despite a challenging year in the context of COVID-19, the IOE New York office, has made some notable achievements. Working mostly from their living rooms, IOE colleagues in New York organised high-level dialogues, engaged in diplomacy, and helped to develop flagship publications – all with the goal of elevating the private sector, particularly employer organisations, as a strategic partner to the United Nations and other multilateral organisations. Dialogues brought together thousands of attendees virtually to discuss important issues and featured hundreds of high-level speakers. 

In May, IOE, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and the UN Development Coordination Office (DCO) launched a joint publication, Playbook: Building Momentum in the Decade of Action through Collaboration between Employers and UN Resident Coordinators. 

“The Playbook’s guidance and examples of best practice will help employers engage with the UN and to find entry points for dialogue. This resource also offers United Nations representatives a better understanding of the strategic role of employers in advocating for change and in mobilizing assets and expertise in support of sustainable development.”  

– Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General

Three additional dialogues took place that brought together UN Resident Coordinators (RCs) and employer organisations which are building relationships and momentum for collaboration between the UN and private sector for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The RC/employer dialogues have ranged from high-level discussions to practical deep dives on topics such as sustainable social protection systems to tackling informality, and included global, regional, and country-specific discussions. Currently under development is a case study report of good practices to supplement the Playbook. 

Other events brought together CEOs, employers, officials of UN, G20, German parliament, and more to stimulate the kind of cooperation between the public and private sectors that is needed to build back better from COVID-19 and achieve the SDGs. 

IOE NY in Numbers (since 2020)

• 30 events  
• 2,265 attendees 
• 335 speakers 
• 4 IOE publications highlighted through events (Playbook, Small Goes Digital, Due Diligence Law Developments, and Climate Change and Human Rights) 

Hopes & Wishes for 2022

In the new year, IOE will be raising our ambition and commitment to bringing the voice and partnership of the private sector to the highest levels global policy debates. 

[UPDATED IN JANUARY 2022] The Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) and its Private Sector Forum 2022 have been postponed – a decision on new dates is expected to be taken by the General Assembly in January 2022. This high-level conference will convene Heads of States, Governments, the UN, CEOs & investors and our very own Members to chart a course for the sustainable development of LDCs. Further updates and details will be made available here.

We are also working with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) on the organisation of the UN Partnership Forum taking place on 2 February 2022 to ensure the private sector is well represented. We look forward to your active participation.  

Foremost, our wish for 2022 is health for you and your families and success for your endeavours. We look forward to working and engaging with IOE Members, collaborators, governments, social partners, and all other stakeholders in the new year so that we ensure no is left behind.  

2021 Highlights