UN Global Compact's annual conference commences in New Delhi

The United Nations Global Compact on Wednesday kicked off its two-day event, bringing together over 300 leaders from business, finance, civil society, government and the UN in New Delhi for its regional flagship event 'Making Global Goals Local Business - India'.

With less than 5,000 days left to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the event aims to mobilise responsible business actions, drive breakthrough innovation and create new market opportunities that advance the global goals.

"The SDGs provide a global plan of action for people, planet and prosperity - a plan of action with a universal set of goals and targets that empowers us all to deliver the world that we want. We are in New Delhi because India is the land of opportunity for sustainable development: If India delivers on the Global Goals we will be halfway towards the 2030 Agenda," said Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.

To enable business around the world to take action on the SDGs, the UN Global Compact launched two important initiatives on the first day of the event. The new Global Opportunity Explorer aims to be the world's largest digital platform connects business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors with new partners, projects, markets and talents to deliver on the SDGs.

Through a new blueprint for SDG Leadership, the UN Global Compact will guide businesses on how to take concrete leadership action on each of the SDGs.

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The Indian government has taken bold initiatives in the last three years so as to translate our commitment to SDGs, and our visionary leader Narendra Modi is working tirelessly to achieve SDGs by 2030 in a big way. Making Global Goals Local Business is a strategy to engage business on the 2030 SDG agenda to develop innovative business models and help achieve the SDGs," said Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Finance.

"With the launch of this two-day event, we have set a mission of providing a blueprint for forward-thinking. This gives Indian businesses an opportunity to succeed in implementing Global Goals and innovate the SDGs in the local context," added Kamal Singh, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network India.

On the second day, the UN Global Compact will outline the breakthrough innovation and systemic solutions needed to meet the Global Goals by 2030 and will launch the 2017 series of the Global Compact SDG Pioneers campaign at the closing plenary.

Additionally, the Business and Sustainable Development Commission will release its Better Business Better World - India country report highlighting how the SDGs offer a compelling growth strategy for the private sector in India.