UNDP and Private Sector Collaborate to Drive Sustainable Growth in Asia
DHAKA, Oct 23, 2023 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and key partners from the private sector have gathered in Dhaka for a three-day discussion aimed at aligning efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Asia Pacific region. This Regional Partnership Exchange serves as a platform for discussions, learning, and the initiation of scalable partnerships that will contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth beyond 2024.
During the opening remarks, Christophe Bahuet, UNDP Deputy Regional Director, emphasized the positive impact that the growing cooperation between UNDP and businesses across Asia and the Pacific is having on national and local development. He also highlighted the potential for further collaboration, stating, There is much more that UNDP and companies can do together, and this Regional Exchange can help us identify concrete opportunities to expand existing partnerships and start new ones.
Stefan Liller, at the opening of the event, expressed hope that the gathering would facilitate a whole of region approach to engaging with the private sector. By bringing together representatives from the private sector, UNDP’s Bangkok Regional Hub, and various UNDP Country Offices across South and Southeast Asia, the event aims to foster collaboration, share insights and experiences, and leverage expertise from different corners of the region.
The Partnership Exchange has attracted high-level representatives from key private sector companies, including Unilever Bangladesh, Oracle, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Hindustan Unilever, DHL, Samsung, SAP India, NEC India, Euglena, Jetro, Grameenphone, and Uniqlo. Over the course of the three-day workshop, participants will engage in dialogues focusing on designing partnerships for areas such as the Just Energy Transition towards NetZero, Empowering Youth and Women for Sustainable Development, Circular Economy, Technology Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Transformation.
This workshop comes at a crucial moment in the region’s journey towards a sustainable future. The collective efforts of all partners involved are essential in aligning innovation capacities, human capital and skills, and technological know-how to drive sustainable opportunities for the region.
As the discussions unfold, stakeholders hope to identify practical and actionable solutions to address key bottlenecks and accelerate inclusive and sustainable growth in the Asia Pacific. By mobilizing resources and leveraging the dynamism of the private sector, the collaboration between UNDP and its partners aims to contribute significantly to the achievement of the SDGs, forging a path towards a more prosperous and sustainable future for the region and its inhabitants.
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