GLOBAL COMPACT INTERNATIONAL YEARBOOK 2016

Last year’s adoption ofthe 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, together with rhe historie Paris Climate Agreement 011 climate change, sent a powerful message far and wide: we cannot continue on our current course.

We need new ways ofliving that will end the suffering, discrimination and lack of opportunity that define the lives ofbillions of people around the world, and that drive instability and conflict.

The solutions must involve everyone, from world leaders and chief executives, to educators and philanthropists.

We must work together – across sectors and industries – in broader and deeper partnerships.

First, we need to mobilize the global business community as never before. I have seen first-hand the power of the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principies on human rights, labour, environment and unti-corruption. They are helping thousands of companies contribute to sustainabiJity.

Second, innovation will be crucial. I urge you to take advantage of the new markets and solutions that are emerging; to set corporate goals inspired by the SDGs; and to let sustainability drive innovation and investment.

H.E. BAN KI-MOON, UN SECRETARY-GENERAL