UNESCAP: Empowering Public-Private Partnerships: The private sector's role in SDG implementation in the Pacific

Full Text Sharing

https://www.unescap.org/events/2024/empowering-public-private-partnershi...

Organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the annual Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (PFSD) is the Pacific preparation for the Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (in Bangkok) and High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (in New York) in 2025. It serves as a platform for policymakers and stakeholders to discuss pressing and emerging issues confronting the Pacific region. 

The Eighth PFSD will focus on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). 

In preparation for the eighth PFSD, UN ESCAP is organizing a Forum for private sector representatives on their role and the challenges they face in the implementation of the SDGs in the Pacific. A summary of the discussions will be shared at the PFSD.  

The Pacific region stands at a pivotal moment in its pursuit of sustainable development, with the private sector playing a crucial role in achieving the SDGs. The achievement of SDG’s could also be an avenue to build resilience in the wake of climate change, pandemics, and other global challenges, ensuring that the region is better prepared to navigate future uncertainties while fostering long-term prosperity and stability. 

SDG 17 emphasizes the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships, including the private sector, to achieve sustainable development with Target 17.17 focused on the need to “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships”.  

Through collaborative efforts with the private sector, new opportunities can be unlocked through the development of innovative solutions that can help the Pacific on their development path. 

The Forum aims to explore the significant contributions and challenges faced by the Pacific private sector in implementing the SDGs in focus for the Eighth PFSD. By highlighting best practices and innovative strategies, it will underscore how private sector engagement can drive sustainable development and inclusive growth across the Pacific region. 

Further, the Forum will seek feedback from participants on how to better engage the private sector in SDG implementation across the subregion including through the support to facilitating public-private partnerships (PPPs) as called upon under SDG 17. 

Position: Co -Founder of ENGAGE,a new social venture for the promotion of volunteerism and service and Ideator of Sharing4Good