There is increasing conversation around on-ground actions that businesses need to take to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and create economic value for India. Global Compact Network India (GCNI) – the local arm of UN Global Compact, New York acknowledged this by choosing as its theme: ‘Pioneering Solutions for India’ in keeping with the SDGs for the 14th edition of its National Convention at Grand Hyatt Mumbai on May 31, 2019.
14th national convention by Global Compact Network India
The national convention, attended by the who’s who of the Development and Corporate Social Responsibility sectors, looked at solutions on wide implementation of sustainable innovations and leadership stance taken by various organisations in India.
This summit one of the largest national conventions of Global Compact Network India with more than 500 delegates from corporate professionals, policy makers, UN officials and researchers who came together to share insights on the emerging trends on sustainable practices.
A research paper on Role of Technology in transforming India’s sustainability agenda was also launched there in association with Accenture. The paper showcased the best practices and scope of work being done on SDGs by enabling technology towards addressing these issues. The Summit marked presence of eminent leaders like Dr Bibek Debroy, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and Member, NITI Aayog. He said, “Do not think of SDGs in isolation they exist in framework of government schemes.”
“SDGs present a large business opportunity and if India’s progress is so crucial to achieving the SDGs, it is easy to understand that corporations like Mahindra will play a key role in the way forward,” said Rajeev Dubey Convener, GCNI 14th National Convention and Group President (HRM Corporate Services) and CEO (Aftermarket) and Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
“Our aim in hosting summits like these is to ensure that stakeholders from across the spectrum – corporates, NGOs and individuals are able to take concerted actions on SDGs through collaborations,” Kamal Singh, Executive Director, Global Compact Network India, told The CSR Journal.
