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SDG Global Business Forum: Business in Action: Co-creating Solutions for a Sustainable Future

In a world where ambition alone is no longer enough, your engagement in the 2025 SDG Global Business Forum was a powerful reminder that meaningful progress requires collaboration, candor, and collective leadership.

On behalf of UN DESA, the UN Global Compact, IOE, and WBCSD, we sincerely thank you for participating in the Forum, held virtually on 22 July 2025 alongside the High-Level Political Forum. Your presence helped advance the global conversation on business leadership for sustainable development.

This year’s Forum brought together leaders across sectors to explore how enabling policy environments can drive business action on the SDGs, with real-world innovation showcased from Finland, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Switzerland. It gathered over 1,531 combined viewers from the virtual platform as well as UN WebTV. Discussions were focused and action-oriented throughout.

Forum Highlights – Key Takeaways

  • Business as a full partner: SDG progress happens when business actively shapes the agenda and delivers solutions - not just sits at the table.
  • Driving impact through private sector leadership: Companies can accelerate the SDGs by aligning strategy with impact, investing for measurable returns, taking smart risks in development finance and scaling blended solutions that work.
  • The role of government policy: To unlock business potential, governments must provide stable, coherent policies, predicable legislations, smarter financial systems, targeted support for MSMEs and underserved markets, simple rules and streamlined sustainability reporting that build trust.
  • Principled partnerships: Trust, accountability and space for initiative make partnerships thrive. What works are strong business cases for responsible business practices, mutual respect and shared values like those set out in the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles.
  • Actionable priorities: Living wages, inclusive employment, decent work, digital transition and responsible business conduct, and business respect for human rights are not abstract ideals. They are levers for real impact when supported by the right policies and partnerships.
  • Local innovation matters: Country examples reminded us that the most effective innovative solutions are demand-driven, locally shaped, co-created and rooted in the realities of workers, communities and entrepreneurs.

Country Insights / Update

  • Indonesia has just launched Ocean Centres in partnership with the UN Global Compact, with strong private sector engagement.
  • Finland promoted a ‘culture of transparency’ through open preparation, co-creation, public consultations, and active sharing of information.
  • Finland, Nigeria, Switzerland underscored the value of predictable legislation and simple, clear regulations to build investor confidence and support sustainability transitions.
  • Ghana and Indonesia mobilized country-led platforms and business umbrella groups to bring in private sector data, feedback, and business cases, promoting inclusive engagement.
  • SMEs need guidance on sustainability and impact measurement, with support needed from both governments and the UN system.

In Case You Missed It:

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Looking ahead to key milestones - from the Second World Summit for Social Development in November 2025 to the 2026 ECOSOC Partnership Forum, HLPF and UN Water Conference - your leadership will be vital in driving bold business action and forging impactful partnerships that deliver real results.

Let’s keep the momentum going. The Forum was a moment; your continued engagement is the movement.

With appreciation,
SDG Global Business Forum Organizers