Global Compact partners with African Media Agency (AMA) on virtual SDG summit

THE United Nations Global Compact in collaboration with the African Media Agency (AMA) will convene a summit tagged ‘Making Global Goals Local Business-Africa’ on December 3

The upcoming virtual summit will discuss achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for a better Africa

During the summit, the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed will address African Business, Government and Civil Society leaders.

 Through this partnership, AMA will mobilize its network to ensure the private sector of the continent can take part in achieving the SDGs for a better Africa.

 The UN Global Compact will also collaborate with Global Compact Local Networks in South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Tanzania, Morocco, plus the Indian Ocean and Mauritius Regional Network to make the summit a success.

According to the release announcing the summit,  the one-day online event is themed “Uniting Business for the Africa We Want: Decade of Action and Opportunities” and expected to attract dozens of journalists and more than 2,000 attendees, mainly from the private sector.

It noted that tickets are complimentary but registration is required.

 The statement read in part, “Opportunities abound in Africa, particularly for investment, partnership and growth of local businesses,” explained EloïneBarry, Founder and CEO, African Media Agency.

“But it is crucial that the private sector in Africa joins the journey to meeting the SDGs. We need to see more commitment and action from businesses as they play an important role,”

 This partnership forms part of the UN Global Compact’s mandate to support the global business community in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and values through responsible corporate practices.

AMA will, therefore, be playing a very vital role as a trusted and authoritative source of news on a pan-African scale.

“We’re pleased to partner with AMA to project locally-relevant information that is mindful of Africa’s unique business landscape. This will help in ensuring that we deliver meaningful impact,” said Dan Thomas, Chief of Communications and Strategic Events at the UN Global Compact.

The forum will evaluate actions, and learn from compelling evidence across the continent, presented by many of the most inspiring leaders, including the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.

Other notable African executives in attendance include Vice President (Supply Chain), Unilever West Africa; Jane Karuku, CEO, EABL (Kenya); Brahim Benjelloun, Executive Director, Bank of Africa Group BMCE (Morocco).

 Marking the 20th anniversary of the UN Global Compact, which was founded by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the event will feature top African executives, including Celestin Mukeba, CEO, Equity Bank Congo (DRC); Phyllis Wakiaga, CEO, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (Kenya); Siddarth Ramaswamy, Vice President (Supply Chain), Unilever West Africa; Jane Karuku, CEO, EABL (Kenya), Brahim Benjelloun, Executive Director, Bank of Africa Group BMCE (Morocco); Prosper Burnson, Executive Director, Green Carbon (Ghana); Richard Rushton, CEO, Distell (South Africa); Samuel Kimeu, Member of the Board, Africa Union Advisory Board Against Corruption; Bernard Muselet, CEO, Credit du Maroc (Morocco); Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director, UN Global Compact, and many more.

Giving the schedule of the event the statement noted that: “Sessions will explore many of the key issues African countries are confronting head-on to achieve progress to develop sustainably in the coming years, including the impact of Covid-19.

“For example, the African Decade of Action session will put the business community’s challenge in the context of reaching the SDGs by 2030, the target deadline for the Global Goals, which include ending poverty and hunger, improving health and wellbeing, clean water and sanitation, and industry, innovation, and infrastructure.

“The Youth and Innovation session will feature entrepreneurs and graduate students

 Breakout sessions featuring business leaders like Ms. Karuku from EABL and Mr Muselet of Crédit du Maroc will tackle Climate Action: Anniversary of the Paris Agreement and the Role of Business, Gender Equality, and Water Resilience.”