UN Global Compact Launches Sustainable Supplier and SME Programme
2024年5月23日 - 6:00AM
The United Nations Global Compact announced the launch of its
Sustainable Supplier and SME Programme at the Global Supply Chain
Forum today. The new programme provides small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) an exclusive platform for global
exchange, business action and country implementation to accelerate
sustainability in global supply chains and future-proof SMEs for
the green transition.
Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global
Compact, speaking at the launch event said “Companies that
participate in our Sustainable Supplier and SME Programme will be
better equipped to align their business strategies with corporate
sustainability standards and emerging regulations – learning how to
reduce take climate action, attract financing, build resilience and
emerge more inclusive and sustainable.”
Supply chains play a crucial role in global progress toward the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with two-thirds of companies’
ESG footprint tied to their suppliers. With SMEs making up 90% of
businesses, accounting for 50% of total employment worldwide, and
nearly 40% of GDP in emerging economies, SMEs are key drivers of
global sustainability progress and inclusive growth.
However, SMEs face significant challenges in adopting
sustainable practices and seizing opportunities in the green
economy, including access to finance and information, vulnerability
to supply chain disruptions and difficulties with reporting
requirements in a complex regulatory environment. These challenges
are even greater for minority-owned businesses, which often face
higher rates for capital due to limited access to assets, shorter
credit histories and discrimination based on gender, age, race,
sexual orientation and gender identity.
The UN Global Compact has an extensive history of working with
SMEs to achieve their sustainability goals, with SMEs comprising
more than half of their 20,000 plus Participants. Successful
Sustainable Supplier Impact projects in India, Nigeria, Kenya and
Spain have promoted deeper collaboration between large participant
companies and their suppliers on urgent sustainability challenges.
These pilots have established a community of practice for
collaborative learning, facilitated market and financial incentives
for SMEs, and equipped suppliers with the knowledge and tools
necessary to operationalize the Ten Principles of the UN Global
Compact.
“We are committed to delivering a robust set of skills and tools
through our programmes to ensure SMEs can deliver on sustainability
wherever they are.,” said Ojiambo. “In recent years, the UN Global
Compact expanded its presence in developing countries through
country networks and launched five regional hubs in Abuja, Bangkok,
Panama City, Copenhagen and Dubai, all of which have a dedicated
focal point on SMEs and sustainable supplier engagement.”
A key pillar of the new programme is the SPARK Collective, a
community of SME participants and suppliers. Participating SMEs
will gain a competitive advantage by branding their businesses as
preferred suppliers and accessing a dynamic community of practice
for collaborative learning and targeted action on urgent
sustainability challenges such as scope 3 emissions,
anti-corruption, gender equality, reporting and compliance. Large
companies will also benefit by driving the adoption of the Ten
Principles of the UN Global Compact across their supply chains and
ensuring their suppliers remain relevant in today’s market.
Notes to Editors
About the UN Global Compact
As a special initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General,
the UN Global Compact is a call to companies worldwide to align
their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of
human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Our ambition
is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business
by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the Sustainable
Development Goals through accountable companies and ecosystems that
enable change. With more than 20,000 participating companies, 5
Regional Hubs, 62 Country Networks covering 77 countries and 14
Country Managers establishing Networks in 20 other countries, the
UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability
initiative — one Global Compact uniting business for a better
world.
United Nations Global Compact
(212) 907-1301
media@unglobalcompact.org