Corporate Leaders Push for Accelerated SDG Progress at New York Forum

The 2026 SDG Business Forum, organized by the UN Global Compact, UN DESA, and the International Organisation of Employers, centered on the mechanics of scaling impact. Sanda Ojiambo, CEO of the UN Global Compact, asserted that the current objective is moving beyond isolated corporate initiatives toward systemic accountability and enabling policy environments. Joined by leaders including Halyk Bank CEO Umut Shayakhmetova and Africa Finance Corporation President Samaila Zubairu, the dialogue emphasized that private capital must be actively steered toward SDG 9—Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure—to bridge the divide between commitment and measurable outcomes.

The discussions zeroed in on the practical integration of artificial intelligence and clean energy transitions into industrial strategy. A critical development during the event was the launch of the Action 55(c) Insights Brief, prepared for the UN Secretary-General. This document serves as a roadmap for aligning private sector operations with national sustainable development priorities. By leveraging UN Global Compact Country Networks to implement these frameworks, the forum participants aimed to demonstrate that business remains the primary engine for delivering on the Pact for the Future.