The Global Compact team from APAC began the month of November by gathering together in Shanghai, China.
The primary agenda of the meeting was to discuss and finalize 2024 Global Priorities as well as to introduce the Forward Faster programme as a way to further engage members on accelerating the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Representatives from local networks and the Global Compact Office shared best practices of 2023 during the 1st day of the meeting which took place in the 3rd tallest building in the world, Shanghai Tower. At the Global Compact, collaboration is vital for improvement and the teams curated strategies and plans for collaboration in 2024 with the regional local networks, GCO and several UN bodies.
The 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) has been held annually since 2018. Hongqiao International Economic Forum (HQF) is a significant part of the China International Import Expo. The forum is co-hosted between Global Compact Office China and the Ministry of Commerce of China. The forum themed ‘Resilient Global Industrial and Supply Chains’ is where the China Global Compact Office team launched the UN Global Compact GDI for SDG Series Report during a parallel session.
Sanda Ojiambo, CEO of the UN Global Compact gave a welcoming speech and talked about how resilient supply chains can be a key part in the solution to our present problems. When supply chains are done right, there is a tremendous economic and social benefit derived from the global supply chain.
On the 3rd day, the team presented the 2024 Calendar of Global Strategic Events and discussed regional events ideation in line with the needs of members from differing industries. Recognising the challenges of time and resources, the team took advantage of local network collaboration where a local network can assist in the event of another local network to enhance relationships regionally. The team took the time to focus on CEO engagement and seek opportunities where leaders from different countries can have the opportunity to voice their successes and challenges at a global level.
The Global Compact Asia Pacific Regional Meeting was closed with a conclusion of 2024 priorities including; a diverse translation of key Academy and Accelerator resources, focusing on the newly introduced Forward Faster programme, hosting regional CEO level convening focusing on policy advocacy, annual regional flagship event, partnerships with regional UN offices and SME strategy.
