From ambitions to tangible reality: reflections from UNGA 78 

Throughout the 78th UN General Assembly's High-level Week, I had the privilege of witnessing a remarkable narrative unfold — a journey of collaboration, commitment and the shared pursuit of a better world.

As we convened for the United Nations Global Compact Board Meeting, it became evident that this was a pivotal assembly. We came together to assess our progress, confront challenges and chart a path forward. The upcoming Strategy Extension, with its focus on five key priorities, was discussed with passion and purpose. It's a strategy designed to accelerate our positive global impact and deliver solutions for both people and the planet.

The narrative continued at the Private Sector Forum, where we witnessed the transformative power of collaboration. Business leaders and Government representatives united, like Ester Baiget , Novozymes President and CEO, who reminded us of the importance of forward-thinking leadership in our complex global landscape. The introduction of the Forward Faster initiative reenergized our commitment. It's a call to take ambitious corporate actions across critical areas and drive progress across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At the Leaders Summit, the narrative reached its zenith. Opening keynotes from Gary White and Matt Damon ignited our passion for advancing the SDGs. But what made this year's Summit even more remarkable was the participation of youth leaders like Faatiha Aayat , Child Rights Activist, Climate Campaigner and CEO of CHIL&D - Climate, Health, Information, Learning and Development .

As we celebrated the critical role of youth leadership in shaping our future, it was impossible to ignore the stark reality that at the halfway point, only 12 per cent of the SDG targets are on track, progress on 50 per cent is insufficient and more than 30 per cent of the SDGs have stalled or gone into reverse. This serves as a clear reminder that we must step up as leaders and take the actions required to deliver a better future

Looking back on the day, it's clear that young activists will play a crucial role in shaping our path forward. Their perspective on the actions needed to deliver a better future is invaluable.

But we also acknowledged that the private sector must do more. While progress has been made, there's a pressing need for increased action and impact.

And then, "Unstoppable Africa" under the Global Africa Business Initiative banner, showcased the immense potential of the African continent. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed emphasized that business is vital to Africa's heartbeat. We were reminded that solutions and opportunities lie here. Moving #ForwardFaster and creating sustainable solutions for both people and the planet is an imperative we cannot ignore

The week has not only reinvigorated my personal commitment but also fortified my belief in the collective strength of businesses, Governments and civil society. The narrative we are crafting is one of hope, determination and a shared vision for a brighter, more sustainable future for all. Let's harness this momentum and work tirelessly to transform it into a tangible reality.

#UNGA78 #UNGA #UnitingBusiness #ForwardFaster2030 #UnstoppableAfrica