30 January
2025
The United Nations Global Compact concluded a series of impactful sessions at the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Annual Meeting in Davos, advancing discussions on the critical role of business in addressing global challenges through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The UN Global Compact, held in the SDG Pavilion, an inclusive and collaborative space for dialogue, brought together leaders from business, government and civil society to explore solutions for sustainable growth, human capital development and planet protection.
Under Davos’ theme of “Collaborating in the Smart Age”, discussions highlighted opportunities to overcome geo-economic fragmentation, harness exponential technological innovation and drive inclusive economic growth.
Highlights of the UN Global Compact in Davos include:
• Investing in Technology and Innovation: A breakfast for executives explored the transformative potential of AI and advanced technologies in promoting sustainability and inclusion, with a focus on gender equality, sustainable finance, and inclusive economic growth.
• Leadership Dialogue Lunch: A high-level meeting of UN Global Compact board members and interested leaders outlined a policy advocacy roadmap for 2025, setting the stage for key global moments, including COP30 and the World Social Summit.
• Water Resilience Coalition Leaders Circle: This closed-door session showcased the role of AI in achieving water resilience, advancing the goal of impacting 100 water-stressed basins by 2030.
• From Silos to Synergy: This panel highlighted the transformative power of green procurement to advance the SDGs. The session introduced a new collaboration with the Watch and Jewelry Initiative to streamline processes for buyers and suppliers and enable industry-wide adoption across brands. The discussion also highlighted the role of procurement in empowering women- and youth-led businesses, increasing transparency through AI, and reshaping industries for sustainability.
The discussions highlighted the importance of innovative partnerships, financing mechanisms, and cutting-edge technologies in addressing global challenges, from climate change and resource sustainability to economic inequality and the ethical use of AI.
Reflecting on the week’s events, Sanda Ojiambo, Director General and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, said:
“In an era of unprecedented technological advancement and global complexity, the role of business in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals has never been more important. At Davos, we saw the power of collaboration to harness innovation, unlock investment and advance transformative solutions that benefit both people and the planet. Together, we can create a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.”
The UN Global Compact sessions were closely aligned with the key themes of the Annual Meeting, including Rethinking Growth, Protecting the Planet and Investing in People. These discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration across sectors to build stronger and more resilient economies and effectively address common challenges.
About the UN Global Compact
The UN Global Compact aims to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by adhering to the Ten Principles and achieving the SDGs through accountable companies and ecosystems that drive change. With more than 20,000 participating companies, 5 regional hubs, 63 country networks covering 80 countries, and 13 country leaders creating networks in 18 other countries, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative—the only Global Compact that unites business for a better world.