Sustainable Business

Explore how our new tools, resources and activities can help your business achieve its sustainability goals and find the right UN Global Compact engagement tier.

The rapid spread of digital technologies is transforming many economic and social activities. While creating many new opportunities, widening digital divides threaten to leave developing countries, and especially least developed countries, further behind. A smart embrace of new technologies, enhanced partnerships and greater intellectual leadership are needed to redefine digital development strategies and the future contours of globalization.

In 2015, Member States of the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, containing 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets.

After two successful editions of the Youth Solutions Report, published in January
2017 and June 2018, respectively, this year’s publication continues to expand its
scope and objectives. Not only do we celebrate the efforts of young innovators
towards achieving the 2030 Agenda, we also seek to provide all public and private
stakeholders with actionable insights on the value and opportunity of investing in
youth-led innovation as a key enabler of sustainable development.

This governance brief examines how innovation hubs, such as one in East Java, can help improve the delivery of basic public services in Indonesia.

This book aims to give policy makers an overview of the evolution of science, technology and innovation (STI) policies in a selected number of East Asian countries. China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Singapore have transformed their economies and societies in recent decades. From STI policies that enabled catch-up growth, these countries have evolved towards policies that are more aligned with sustainable development through integrating social, economic and environmental dimensions into their STI policies.

In partnership, British Council, Tilleke & Gibbins, the Thomson Reuters Foundation and United Nations ESCAP have developed the ASEAN Social Enterprise Structuring Guide – a practical resource to guide social entrepreneurs on the most appropriate legal structure to enable them to deliver impact in social enterprise. The guide sets out in detail the advantages and disadvantages and associated regulatory and compliance obligations of each available structure in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Business as usual is not an option if the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are to be met. The scale and depth of the goals require a radically different and disruptive approach—the essence of innovation—along with significant scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements. Science, technology and innovation (STI) have the potential to increase the efficiency, effectiveness and impact of our efforts to meet the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda and create benefits for society, the economy and the environment.

New report underscores benefits of shifting from cash to digital payments in corporate supply chains