The United Nations Global Compact Network South Africa (GCNSA), in partnership with B20 South Africa, is set to host its flagship Sustainability Leadership Conference in Cape Town on 30 April 2025.
This event will bring together industry and government leaders, innovators and changemakers to ignite conversations about South Africa’s sustainability journey. Attendees will explore groundbreaking opportunities and solutions to drive a sustainable future, shaping the path forward for the country.
The conference takes place as the GCNSA celebrates its 25th anniversary and while South Africa is president of the G20 – an intergovernmental forum of 19 countries, plus the European and African unions. The B20 is the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community, operating as part of the G20 process.
“The One Global Compact Forum brings all executive directors from Global Compact Networks around the world together with the UN Global Compact (UNGC) leadership to review our work globally and strategise for the short to medium term,” says GCNSA executive director Dr Achieng Ojwang.
“The conference comes at a critical moment, amid current global geopolitical tensions and, more specifically, challenges faced by South Africa. It offers a vital platform for both civil society and business leaders to engage in meaningful conversations that will shape the country’s sustainability journey. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to explore how South Africa can unlock economic growth while preserving its natural resources for future generations,” she says.
Maropene Ramokgopa, South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, will speak during the conference’s opening session, engaging in a panel discussion with UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa Nelson Muffuh, Bidvest Group CEO and GCNSA board chair Mpumi Madisa, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact Sanda Ojiambo and Dr Ojwang.
Other experts scheduled to speak include Sim Tshabalala, CEO of the Standard Bank Group and Chair of the B20 South Africa Task Force on Finance & Infrastructure; Cas Coovadia, B20 SA Sherpa; Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, CEO of Naspers SA and Chair of the B20 SA Task Force on Digital Transformation; Leila Fourie, CEO of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Busi Mavuso, CEO of Business Leadership South Africa.
Dr Ojwang adds, “We are heartened by how seriously South Africa has, for a long time, taken its part in the global quest to protect people and the planet through pledging to take responsible and inclusive sustainable economic development decisions. This is visible in South Africa’s choice of ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’ as its G20 presidency theme.”
The GCNSA’s 2024 Private Sector Voluntary National Review report identified a number of hurdles to sustainability and South Africa’s success in attaining the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), indicating that solving these would improve access to both sustainable financing and sustainable investments. These barriers are:
- Slow economic growth, high unemployment and inflation due to prolonged political and economic uncertainties deterring investors
- Regulatory and policy uncertainty, especially in mining and energy. Many companies were unaware of incoming regulations, such as the EU’s carbon border taxes (the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism)
- Infrastructure constraints, especially in relation to energy, the movement of goods and services (transport and logistics) and, increasingly, water
- Limited (but growing) options on financial services and products that slow down movement from investors and companies seeking sustainable financing
- South Africa’s dependency on coal for energy is a barrier to the country transitioning towards more sustainable energy sources
- The perception of high risk associated with investing in South Africa and the African continent in general, often resulting in a high cost of capital and low investments and economic growth
Despite the challenges, there are many opportunities for growth and development aligned to the SDGs. These include:
- Adopting new technologies that drive efficiency and sustainability, i.e. smart grids and renewable energy systems, precision agriculture technologies in food production, and advanced digital health solutions
- Financial instruments and services in green financing and inclusive financial products
- Capacity building and education tailored for modern technology and sustainability
- Infrastructure and community development, including green building projects, sustainable urban planning, electric vehicles and renewable energy
“The GCNSA’s Sustainability Leadership Conference offers an excellent opportunity for meaningful dialogue, networking and decisive action on the country’s sustainable future, and that of the world,” says Dr Ojwang.
“The shift toward sustainability offers a powerful avenue for innovation, investment and inclusive growth. Through collaboration with global leaders and local stakeholders, South African businesses have the chance to leverage green technologies, sustainable finance and progressive policy frameworks to build a resilient and equitable economy. Now more than ever, it is time for the private sector to lead boldly, turning barriers into breakthroughs and positioning South Africa as a competitive, sustainable force on the global stage.”
- Tickets for the GCNSA’s Sustainability Leadership Forum are available on the website, here: https://globalcompactsa.org.za/events/one-global-compact-forum/
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