Global cooperation, partnerships and inclusive policy making decisions

UN@75 and private sector online dialogue with UN Under-Secretary General, Fabrizio Hochschild. (15 May 2020 9:00 EST/15:00 CET)

Recording link

The recent preliminary results of the UN75 2020and Beyond highlight the need for global cooperation, partnerships, knowledge sharing and inclusive policy making decisions.  The private sector engagement with the UN has become more evident in the context of the economic disruption carried out by the Covid-19 health emergency.

The UN Secretary-General has called for action to tackle the many social and economic dimensions of the crisis and to “do everything possible to cushion the knock-on effects on millions of people”s lives, their livelihoods and the real economy” and to provide resources to scale-up “support to businesses to prevent bankruptcies and massive job losses”. 

The UN Report on SHARED RESPONSIBILITY, GLOBAL SOLIDARITY: Responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID -19, provides us with a great opportunity to reflect on how the UN can strenghthen its engagement with the private sector in the construction of a global response that matches the scale and unique nature of the crisis.

IOE along with #UN75 invites its members to interact with the UN Under-Secretary General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on #UN75, Fabrizio Hochschild.  The purpose of the discussion is : a) to provide inputs and share insights on business needs and the expectations on their engagement with the UN: b) to elaborate on how the UN could stenghten partnerships with the private sector to expand efforts to respond to the economic disruption.

#UN75 wants to hear the voice of all stakeholders in shaping the UN towards its 100th anniversary in 2045. The private sector is a critical partner for the UN on the achievement of the 2030 agenda.  IOE’s member organizations and affiliates are the legitimate and representative voice of business and play a vital role internationally and nationally in shaping policies for jobs, economic growth, and sustainable development together with facilitating partnerships to address systemic issues.  Having been involved in the negotiations at UN and national level, and in the implementation and follow- up mechanisms of the 2030 Agenda, IOE and its members are well placed to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the business community, with an emphasis to identify and develop practical and realistic solutions for today’s many challenges.

This interactive dialogue will feed directly into the crowd-source repository of ideas and thoughts about the future of global governance and international cooperation.

MODERATOR: Roberto Suárez-Santos, IOE Secretary General

Opening Remarks: Erol Kiresepi, IOE President

Fabrizio Hochschild, UN Under-Secretary General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General How can employers and business contribute to better global governance and strengthen implementation of the SDGs?

Topic: Regional dialogue on private sector work with the UN.

  • Professor Mthunzi Mdwaba, IOE Vice-President to the ILO; Chairman, Productivity South Africa
  • Farooq Ahmed, Secretary-General, Bangladesh Employers Federation
  • Liga Megelsone, Director General, Latvia Employer Federation

Topic: Informality, SMEs the need for collaborating with the UN in response to COVID-19

  • Jacqueline Mugo, Executive Director, Federation of Kenya Employers and Secretary General, BUSINESS Africa
  • Santiago Uribe, CEO Azimut, Bogota Colombia

Topic: Getting Back to Work

  • Monica Flores, President, Latin America, Manpower Group

Tour de table

Roberto Suarez Santos, Next steps: regional dialogues and survey

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