New Delhi, 1 February,2021:UN Global Compact Network India (GCNI), a local Network of the United Nations Global Compact, New York is hosting its annual flagship event 15^th National Convention first time in the Virtual mode on 4-5 February 2021. The theme of the convention is ‘Raising the SDG ambition- Pathways for Sustainable Recovery and Growth”. The convention will see an unparalleled confluence of decision-makers and thought leaders from diverse fields including Business, Government, Civil Society Organizations, Academic Institutions, UN Agencies, Think Tanks from across the globe.

The Sustainable Development Goals were laid out to provide a comprehensive “blueprint to achieve a better and sustainable future for all”. As we approach agenda 2030, and with ten years to achieve the United Nations 17 Sustainable Goals, the world is clearly not on track to fulfil their promise. Even though governments and businesses acknowledge the criticality of incorporating social and environmental goals into decision making, there is limited evidence of this intent translating into action. India contributes to a major share of the global SDG gap and therefore has an obligation to take the lead in this global fight. Even though significant progress has been achieved over the last few years, there are still enormous challenges across poverty, nutrition, sanitation, and infrastructure. COVID-19 has worsened the situation, abruptly disrupting implementation towards many of the SDGs and, in some cases, turning back decades of the progress. It is critical to heed the lessons learnt from this wake-up call and utilise the power of technology, innovation and social resilience to make our society, environment and businesses more sustainable.

The Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi has been leading the India SDGs drive from the front. As a result, we have achieved a lot in the last few years, mapping all developmental parameters with SDGs. A major highlight being India’s adoption of low carbon and climate-resilient development practices. India is not only meeting the Paris Agreement targets but also exceeding them; thus, it is the time to convert our well thought out plans and actions into tangible benefits for the nation.

The theme of the 15th National Convention ‘Raising the SDG ambition- Pathways for Sustainable Recovery and Growth’ will essentially be focusing on accelerating the progress on the SDGs as this is the time more than ever before for all of us to drive the action with an exceptional pace to achieve the SDGs by 2030. Through this platform, Global Compact Network India aims to showcase several ideologies and methodologies incorporated and integrated by diverse sectors to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Shri Sudhanshu Pandey, Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Ministry of Consumer Affair, Govt of India will grace the convention and deliver the Inaugural Address and Ms Sanda Ojiambo, CEO & Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact (New York) will deliver a Special Address at the Inaugural Session.

A galaxy of eminent speakers comprising CMDs, CEOs, CXOs and Heads from the PSUs, Corporates, Academia, Civil Society Organizations, UN Agencies and experts from diverse sectors will be sharing their insights and best practices for raising India’s SDGs ambition.       

Some of the eminent speakers include Dr. Uddesh Kohli  Senior Advisor, UNGC , Mr. Shashi Shanker CMD, ONGC Group of Companies  and President, GCNI,  Mr. Ranjan Kumar Mohapatra, Director-HR, IOCL, Mr. Vishvesh Prabhakar, MD – Operations & Sustainability, Accenture Strategy, Mr. Suresh Narayanan, CMD, Nestle India, Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, Former DG & CEO, IICA, Govt of India, Mr. Siraj Chaudhary, MD & CEO, NCML, Dr. H Chaturvedi, Director, BIMTECH, Dr. Sunita Dube, Chairperson, The MedscapeIndia, Chairperson & Managing Trustee of Aryan Medical & Educational Trust, Prof. Raj Nehru, Vice-Chancellor, Vishwakarma Skill Development University, Ms. Anuradha Razdan, Executive Director, HR, HUL, Mr. Deepak Dwivedi, Chairman of the Board & Chief Editor, Dainik Bhaskar Group (Media),  Mr. Pablo Varela, Programme Advisor, Global Operations, Young SDG Innovators, UNGC , Ms. Achieng Ojwang, Executive Director, Global Compact Network South Africa, Mr. Anirban Ghosh, CSO, Mahindra Group, Mr. Sandeep Roy Choudhury, Co- founder & Director, VNV Advisory Services, Mr. Vinod Pandey, Director – Government and External Affairs, CSR, BMW Group India, Mr. Srikrishna Sridhar Murthy, Co-founder and CEO, Sattva Consulting, Mr. Shankar Venkateswaran, Chairperson, Oxfam India and Dr. Alka Mittal, Director, HR, ONGC.

This National Convention stands for collaborative efforts and solidarity where our leaders come together and exchange ideas for a better tomorrow. To step up in the Decade to Deliver, the convention will have highly engaging and solution-driven sessions. The business leaders, particularly, will showcase their action plans for more significant action and coming together to achieve the SDGs in time.

Mr Ranjan Kumar Mohapatra, Director (HR), Indian Oil Corporation Limited says “To accelerate and raise the SDG ambition in a sustainable manner, we firmly believe in collaborative efforts like partnerships and engagement with our stakeholders and that the success of sustainable development depends on the valuable contributions of societal players”.

 “The convention is a universal call for action that will set the stage for inclusivity and equitable growth. It will surely pave the path for sustainable recovery along with economic and social development with the help of the community of key and influential leaders”, Ms Shabnam Siddiqui, Officiating Executive Director, Global Compact Network India says.

The National convention aims to:

1. Understand the impact of COVID on India’s SDG progress and align on recalibration needed in a post-pandemic world.
2. Leverage industry deep dives and CXO and industry leader insights to identify innovative solutions to drive SDG ambitions in the wake of business disruption caused by COVID.
3. Uncover opportunities to drive self-reliant, resilient and sustainable economic growth.
4. Explore the role of country survival kits and social safety nets in solving socio-economic challenges and driving resilience in vulnerable sections of society.
5. Discuss how decarbonisation, energy sector reforms and sustainable supply chains can drive the green economy.
6. Discuss examples and case studies of how disruptive, tech-based business opportunities can accelerate India’s SDG ambition.

Over 2000 delegates from Government both Central and State, UN agencies and its systems, Business leaders, SMEs, Civil Society organisations, and representatives from Academia and environmental agencies are likely to attend 15^th National Convention of Global Compact Network India.

For more details, kindly visit: https://www.globalcompact.in/15th-national-convention/index.html

About UN Global Compact Network India

Global Compact Network India (GCNI), formed in November 2000, was registered in 2003 as a non-profit society to function as the Indian Local Network of the Global Compact, New York. It is the first Local Network in the world established with full legal recognition. GCNI also acts as a country level platform for businesses, civil society organisations, public and private sector, aids in aligning stakeholders’ responsible practices towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Ten Universally Accepted Principles in the areas of Human Rights, Labour standard, Environment and Anti-corruption and other key sister initiatives of the United Nations and its systems.

At present, the India Network ranks among the top 10, out of more than 90 Local Networks in the world. It has also emerged as the largest corporate sustainability initiative in India and globally with a pan India membership of 345 leading business and non-business participants and 280 signatories, strengthening their commitment to the Global Compact Principles by becoming proud members of the Local Network in India. For more details, please visit www.globalcompact.in