As we look back at the High-Level Week of the 79th UN General Assembly (UNGA79) and Climate Week NYC, the Dutch delegation made significant contributions to global discussions on sustainability, climate action, and human rights. Our presence emphasized the importance of private sector engagement in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and showed how Dutch leadership is helping to shape a more sustainable future.

UN Global Compact leadership on display 

UN Global Compact presented to the UN Secretary-General five pivotal reports that outline actionable pathways to accelerate the SDGs. This aligns closely with the work of the Dutch participants, who brought valuable insights from various sectors.

Jan-Willem Scheijgrond, Chairman of UN Global Compact NL, reflected on his focus at UNGA: the countdown to next year's high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and improving stroke care globally. He noted the progress made in areas like climate and health, blended financing, and AI for health, along with the new connections he formed.

Similarly, Simon Henzell Thomas, board member of UN Global Compact NL, shared his key takeaways from Climate Week NYC. With renewed inspiration and a drive for further climate action within Ingka and IKEA, he highlighted the achievements of the World Economic Forum’s Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, which recorded a 10% reduction in emissions over 2019-2022, while also growing revenues by 18%. "The road ahead is long, but progress is possible when we work together across industries," he emphasized.

Lotte Mastwijk, Head of Sustainability at Royal LC Packaging and one of our participants, contributed to the session on Living Wage Economy during the Leaders Summit. At Royal LC Packaging, one of the company's core goals is implementing living wages in their supply chain by 2030. She reflected on the progress made during the event, sharing that the UN Global Compact’s Forward Faster initiative has seen a rise in company commitments on living wages, from just 38 companies a year ago to 600 today. "It is encouraging to see this topic rise on the agenda of leading organizations," she shared. Lotte's contributions added a Dutch perspective to the broader global conversation on fair wages and supply chain equity.

Jenny Wassenaar, board member of UN Global Compact NL and Chief Sustainability Officer at Trivium Packaging, was a speaker at the Leaders Summit on the topic of "The Dos and Don'ts of Sustainable Supply Chains." She emphasized the importance of circularity and shared Trivium’s efforts in using recyclable materials to support sustainable procurement and supply chains. "Circularity is top of mind," she said, urging industries to adopt technologies and best practices that will ensure resilient and sustainable supply chains in the face of disruptions like climate change and pandemics. You can watch a recording of the session here.

Last but not least, Poppy Mason-Watts, Impact Manager at WaterBear and board member of UN Global Compact NL, engaged in various panels and sessions during UNGA79, focusing on media's role in shaping narratives around sustainability. Representing WaterBear, she discussed the importance of storytelling in driving action towards achieving the SDGs. Poppy’s week was packed with discussions, ranging from sustainable travel to eco-justice and climate resilience.

As we look to the future, the Dutch private sector continues to show leadership in addressing critical global challenges. From living wages to circular economy practices, Dutch companies are driving the conversation forward and contributing to the global movement for sustainable development.