Nairobi, 29th November 2016
The Busan meeting in 2011, and the GPEDC that arose out of it, shifted the traditional Aid Effectiveness Agenda towards a more holistic, more systemic concept of development effectiveness and the role of all societal sectors to achieve it. In particular, for the first time the Busan meeting recognised the private sector as both a key development actor and a key cooperation partner in delivering sustainable development.
Business doing business, as long as it is sustainable, responsible and inclusive, is the most significant contribution business can make as a development actor. Business becomes a partner in development when it looks beyond immediate short-term financial gain towards building longer-term business and societal value: by aligning its investments and core business activities with a country’s development priorities; or by investing resources of all kinds to support the development of the social, economic and environmental fabric in which it operates. In both cases, business does this to ensure its own long-term prosperity, while simultaneously building societal value.
The Business Forum is open to all HLM2 participants, and will create a vibrant, interactive space to demonstrate, explore, and discuss critical issues around the role of business as an essential partner in delivering the SDGs, and provide an opportunity for networking across sectors.
The Business Forum is organised by ICC, KAM, UN Global Compact, Business Call to Action, and The Partnering Initiative, with support gratefully received from UK Aid and Diageo.
Indicative Programme
| 10.00 | Welcome and introduction
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| 10.25 | Setting the scene:
Business as a partner in development; Introducing the overarching question: How can GPEDC become more relevant to the private sector?
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| 10.30 | Collective action against corruption (convened by UN Global Compact / Kenyan Association of Manufacturers)
Corruption remains one of the greatest impediments to social, economic and political development across the world. This session will explore how the private sector can be partners with governments, investors, international organizations, civil society and others through Collective Action to strengthen and sustain anti-corruption infrastructures. |
| 11.30 | Coffee break and networking |
| 12.00 | Debate: Engaging business as a partner in development (convened by The Partnering Initiative)
What can governments and donors do to drive more systematic and transformational development with the private sector? |
| 13.15 | Lunch break and networking |
| 14.15 | Debate: Business and development cooperation principles
What do development cooperation principles mean for business? Should business commit to the development principles along with the other development actors? What would it mean in practice and how could it be monitored? |
| 15.00 | Showcase: Business partnership action for sustainable development |
| 15.30 | Coffee and networking |
| 16.00 | Inclusive business focus (convened by Business Call to Action)
What are the biggest obstacles faced by companies to more inclusive business, and what can governments do to support them? |
| 17.00 | Wrap up: How can the GPEDC be made more relevant to the private sector?
What have we learned so far today? |
| 17.30 | Close |
All HLM2 participants, from whatever sector, are encouraged to participate at the Business Forum. If you would like to take part as a speaker or panellist or have suggestions for other sessions, please email: support@businessathlm2.freshdesk.com.
Companies or partners wishing to showcase a business model or partnership contributing to sustainable development, please go to: http://tr.im/showcasebiz