Update: IOE New York @ UN

The IOE office in New York has been actively involved in the main international gatherings and discussions of the UN this past summer and looks ahead to further strengthen engagement in future multi-stakeholder events.

From the margins of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF 2022) to the epicentre of the discussions during the United Nations General Assembly 77th Session (UNGA77), the IOE office in New York has been active in ensuring the voice of business was present in numerous critical UN gatherings.   IOE made substantive inputs to the dialogues to implement the UN SG’s ‘Our Common Agenda’ vision, which examines ways to forge pathways for partnerships and catalyse multilateralism.   

With robust business inputs and interventions during different high-level events and dialogues, IOE and its members were well-represented and will certainly continue to be at upcoming events. Building on its highly successful initiative, IOE New York office will focus on strengthening and cultivating effective partnerships with UN Resident Coordinators in Asia, Latin America, and Africa in collaboration with the UN DCO, Global Compact and KAS. Below are some events to put into your calendars for 2023:

• 31 January  Partnership Forum – as in previous years, ECOSOC will engage with partners to highlight delivering on the 2023 agenda.  The Forum takes place prior to the High Level Political Forum (HLPF).  IOE will continue to participate and highlight some of the partnerships undertaken by our members.
• 5-7 March  The UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) - conference in Doha, Qatar. IOE will be part of the Business Forum and have many IOE member federations present. 
• 3-4 May  The 8th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum) - as in previous years, the theme of the STI Forum will be closely aligned with that of the HLPF.
• In addition, the IOE New York office will organise meetings and engagements to strengthen dialogue with Ambassadors from Africa based in New York, focusing the discussions on digital skills and partnership projects including Microsoft on Tech@Work.
• Release of updated version of the Playbook on Momentum in the Decade of Action through Collaboration between Employers and UN Resident Coordinators. This new edition will highlight the best partnership practices between the UN Resident Coordinators and the private sector  worldwide.

Below is a summary of the events that took place during the UNGA 77:

UNGA 77^th Session high-level weeks: IOE had significant visibility during the UNGA’s 77^th session in September 2022,  co-organising or participating  in numerous high-level events, including:

• 16 September 2022:High-Level Meeting on Business and Plastics Pollution Action (USCIB with ICCA and ACC) IOE, represented by Shea Gopaul, spoke about the importance of green skills needed in the just transition. 
• 16 September: Breakfast event: The private sector turbocharging innovative education policies and partnerships. IOE and Microsoftbrought together ministers, ambassadors, global business leaders, and startups to find concrete business solutions to the global skills crisis.
• 18 September:Partner2Connect Digital Coalition Meeting: Forging paths to digital transformation and inclusive digital societies  where IOE joined the Partners2Connect Digital Coalition with International Telecommunication Union to make a Capacity Building and Advocacy pledge. The Pledgefocuses on reinforcing the capacity of small and medium enterprises  to grow and create decent jobs, along with assisting women and young people with pursuing entrepreneurial aspirations.
• 19 September:Global Compact Private Sector Forum and Global Africa Business Initiative
• 21 September:A Business Agenda for Action: A Human-Centric Approach (SHRM-IOE-USCIB event). This event advanced the dialogue on the important role of business in the multilateral system, education and training, health and wellness, and human rights.
• 23 September:Partnering for Action: Implementation of the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions in the Complex Setting of Overlapping Crises. IOE Secretary-General Roberto Suárez Santos took part and offered a seven-point commitment.