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| Kell calls for greater collaboration on MDGs | |
25 June 2005
The Executive Head of the UN Global Compact, Mr. Georg Kell, has called for greater coordination between government, business and civil society in the challenge of accelerating progress on the Millennium Development Goals in Africa. Stressing 'a unique opportunity' to secure lasting change in favour of Africa, he urged all parties to mobilise their resources and develop practical plans to ensure that 2005 was a 'watershed year for Africa and her people'. He stressed the need for businesses to take a fresh look at the role they can play in development, integrating pro-development practices into their core business models, and reporting on their contributions via an MDG Scorecard, in line with the recommendations of the UN Millennium Project. ' Business can and should make an important contribution to development in Africa,' said Mr Kell. 'I call on them to explore ways to leverage their resources, skills and infrastructure to support development as well as achieving their core business activities. Businesses must ask themselves how they can join forces with civil society to support national plans for development." Mr. Kell was speaking in the run up to the UN / NEPAD conference Bending the Arc, which takes place at Guildhall, London, on Monday 4 July. This unique event will bring together high profile representatives from business, government and civil society to discuss practical means of accelerating progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa. Mr. Kell said: "Bending the Arc's discussion of African issues - including the promotion of business as one of the principal components for economic growth and the eradication of poverty, as well as achieving the MDGs in Africa, will definitely complement the commitment of the United Nations in addressing the challenges facing the region. I very much look forward to contributing to this important event" Mr Kell also welcomed the recent call from the British and French premiers for business to maximise its input into the process of African development. Speaking in Paris earlier this month alongside UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and French President Jacques Chirac, Prime Minister Blair said, "We have moved a very long way from the days when business was seen as creating the problems of the world. I think most people accept a strong and vibrant business sector is part of the solution." Bending the Arc is co-sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP), the United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force, and United Nations Global Compact. The event is timed to coincide with the annual summit of the African Union in Libya. Outcomes from the London event will be presented directly to the African Union's Heads of State meeting, which is being held in Libya the same day, to inform the African Union's presentation to G-8 governments at Gleneagles. Contributors to Bending the Arc include Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu (Chief Executive, New Partnership for Africa’s Development); Robert Davies (CEO, International Business Leaders Forum); Ambassador John Maresca (President, Business Humanitarian Forum), Bjorn Stigson (World Business Council on Sustainable Development); Hon. Professor Peter Anyang Nyongo (Minister of Planning and National Development, Kenya); Klaus Toepfer (Executive Director, UNEP); Peter Woicke (former Executive Vice President, International Finance Corporation); Demba Ba (Head of Private Sector Development, World Bank); and Hon Trevor Manuel (Minister of Finance, South Africa). africapractice |
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