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On June 24, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, and the Global Compact Caribbean Network collaborated to host a Private Sector Sustainable Development Forum at the Grand Coastal Hotel.

The forum sought to sensitise members on how their business operations and policies can be aligned to the Principles of the Global Compact, Women’s Empowerment Principles, Children’s Rights and Business Principles, Business and Human Rights Principles, and other international business principles and standards, while providing a platform for private sector partners to showcase their alignment and contributions to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in Guyana.

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Jean Kamau during the opening ceremony noted that the private sector is a crucial stakeholder in the achievement of the SDGs. “You as the Private Sector are working hand-in-hand, whether directly or indirectly, in fulfilling the obligations that are set out for us in the SDGs. Guyana has made remarkable, measurable strides in advancing the SDGs,” she stated.

Ms. Kamau further noted that according to the 2024 Sustainable Development Report, Guyana is on track to reach several goals while showing moderate improvement in several others. However, she added, “While progress has been made, achieving the 2030 agenda requires more ambitious sustained and integrated efforts, anchored in strong collaboration across all sectors, empowered by innovation and inclusive growth. This growth ambition must be met with national resolve.” As such, she emphasised that the Private Sector plays a critical role in transforming opportunities for employment, livelihoods to be sustained, and for people to achieve their labour and economic interests.

She posited that the Private Sector plays a pivotal role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, underscoring that as the world confronts global challenges, businesses possess the skills, the reach, and agility to drive innovation, mobilise resources, and influence behaviours in ways that governments cannot do alone. “Through responsible investment, inclusive business models and sustainable supply chains, the Private Sector can help translate the pact’s vision to tangible results. In doing so, businesses contribute not only to global development, but long-term market stability, resilience, and shared prosperity,” she stressed.

Ms. Kamau highlighted that in the context of Guyana’s dynamic economic growth, particularly in the energy, construction, and technology sectors, the private sector has both opportunity and responsibility to shape a model of development that is inclusive, equitable and sustainable, saying, “The choices made by industry leaders today will shape the development trajectory for generations to come. By aligning operations with SDGs, integrating environment, social and governance principles, and partnering with the United Nations and other development actors, businesses in Guyana can ensure that this era of prosperity translates into long-term, people-centered development that leaves no one behind.”

The UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, calls on companies to align their operations with ten universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to take all the action to advance societal goals. The UN Resident Coordinator commended the GCCI for its leadership in driving this agenda.

President of the GCCI, Mrs. Kathy Smith also brought to the fore, the efforts of Guyana’s private sector to foster the advancement of the UNSDGs. “Almost two years ago, under the presidency of my predecessor and the leadership of the former UN Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Yeşim Oruç, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the UN signed a Declaration of Intent to partner and foster the private sector’s contribution to economic and social development,” she stated.

The GCCI President noted that this collaboration was aimed at propelling private sector support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. “Of particular interest to us at the GCCI was the alignment of local businesses’ operations with global business standards, including the promotion of gender equality, non-discrimination, inclusion and diversity in the workplace as well as the adoption of inclusive policies. Today’s engagement is as a result of this envisioned collaboration.  We anticipate a meaningful discourse on how our businesses can align with global ethical standards—topics such as Human Rights, Child Labour and workplace inclusivity are not just check boxes, they are core values we must embody if we are to be globally competitive and socially responsible,” she stated.

She pointed to the GCCI’s Code of Conduct that was established 15 years ago and stipulates that, among other provisions, members will demonstrate ethical behaviour in all business transactions; foster and provide a respectful, non-discriminatory, safe and harassment-free workplace as required by law and aspire to create a work environment of mutual trust and respect in which diversity and inclusion are valued;  Strive to be a trusted corporate citizen, and promote and stimulate sustainable development.

“These are just a few of the standards that we hold our members accountable to. I hope that today’s discourse provides clearer guidance on how global standards and ethical practices can be incorporated into your operations,” she said in addressing members of the Chamber who were present at the forum.