The last two weeks have been incredibly eventful on the global stage with the UN General Assembly, Clinton Global Initiative and a Papal visit to America all coinciding.

Overall, these events/meetings reinforced the importance of considering social issues and taking collective actions as businesses, governments and individuals. Together, they set out guidance on priorities and commitments for how we develop new social impact strategies around the globe and in our backyards.  It is clear that global leaders have increasing expectations for the essential role business has to play in shaping the future.

Below, you will find some of the highlights, key news links, and speech transcripts from these historic moments:

 

The Pope:  While speaking to Congress, the United Nations and the thousands who came to see this historic visit, the issues Pope Francis addressed included climate change, equity, the refugee crisis and immigration.

Sustainable Development Goals_E_Final sizes

The UN and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)When the UN General Assembly met in New York City, 193 world leaders voted to officially adopt the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), a series of 17 global goals that are meant to eradicate poverty, fight inequity & injustice, and reduce the effects of climate change by the year 2030.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton opens the annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting on September 27, 2015 in New York City. The event, which coincides with the General Assembly at the United Nations, gathers global leaders, activists and business people to try and to bring solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together 190 sitting and former heads of state, more than 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Clinton Global Initiative (CGI):  The 2015 annual meeting of CGI also convened this past weekend in New York City to make commitments to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. The conference, although missing some familiar faces still drew large crowds of heads of state, Nobel laureates, CEOs, foundation heads, and donors to support its philanthropic missions.

Next Step – Next Convening on Climate Change Journey:  At the UN General assembly several countries announced plans to either limit, or as in the case of Brazil, cut their CO2 emissions. The most notable of these agreements was the announcement made by Chinese President Xi Jinping, that China would be enacting a “cap-and-trade” carbon market by 2017. All of this is tied to the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (aka COP21) taking place in Paris during late November and early December. Below are some links to help recap the recent climate change announcements made by both business and governments.

Share This