The first of its kind, the Business Symposium will mark the growing recognition for business role and responsibility in achieving the SDGs, and the renewed commitment the business community has made to engage with UNEP and its member states through the launch of the Global Business Alliance for the Environment (GBA4E) which will help to coordinate more business engagement.

The private sector in all its forms – farms, small and medium enterprises, family-owned companies, national firms, and multinationals - can make a major contribution to UNEP’s mission. The Business Symposium will offer the opportunity to engage a broad cross-section of business representatives in dialogue with UN staff, governments and civil society on the key themes of UNEA 3, with a focus on business’ contribution to achieving a pollution-free planet.

Held in a unique rapid fire format, it will feature examples of specific actions businesses are taking. Five businesses will present in each area, followed by interactive time with member states, UN agencies and other stakeholders.

Review the Rapid Fire Case Studies

Speakers

H.E. Miroslav Lajčák
President of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly

Erik Solheim
Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme

Dr. Edgar Gutiérrez-Espeleta 
President of the 2017 UN Environment Assembly

pdf Learn more about our speakers (373 KB)

Opening Plenary - “Business for the Environment”

Focus on business engagement, expectations and role in achieving SDG12. 

H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, President of the UN General Assembly

Mr. Erik Solheim, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Program
Dr. Edgar Gutiérrez, President of the 2017 UN Environment Assembly
Ms. Stella Simiyu Wafukho, Co-chair GBA4E, Crop Life Africa

“Businesses #Beat Pollution”

“Rapid Fire” case study presentations, showing examples of how business contributes to addressing pollution across key thematic areas.

• Air
• Water
• Land & Soil
• Marine
• Chemicals
• Waste

Adebola Adedugbe, African Agribusiness Incubators Network
Juha Suojanen, CEO and Founder, EkoRent
Tip O'Neill, CEO And President, International Raw Materials LTD
Lucy Muchoki, CEO, PANAAC
Martin Dyer, GM & Board Member, Kisima Farms

Interventions by Member States and Others

Kinyua M’Mbijjewe, Head of Corporate Affairs, Syngenta- East Africa
Joao Rando, President, inpEV
Keondra Bills Freemyn , Manager International Government Relations, Ocean Conservancy
Martin Engelmann, Director General, International Paint and Printing Ink Council
Eric Bureau, Managing Director East Africa & Head of CropScience Bayer

Interventions by Member States and Others

Margaret Munene, CEO, Palmhouse Dairies
Erick Omollo Juma, Account Manager, Novozymes
Nikhil Joshi, CEO, Sapat Group
Seppo Halonen, Sales Manager, Vaisala
Steve Flynn, Senior Associate, IPIECA
Dan Li, Vice-President, Jiangsu Munster Environmental Science Technology Co

Interventions by Member States and Others

Closing Plenary - “Partnering to achieve a pollution-free world”

Closing remarks addressing the role of partnerships in achieving the goal of a pollution-free world

Jian Liu, UN Environment Chief Science officer, United Nations Environment Program
Norine Kennedy, Co- Chair GBA4E, US Council for International Business

pdf DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAMME (389 KB)