Highlights from IOE Engagement at the 2024 High-level Political Forum

From participating in a major panel dialogue hosted by tech giant Salesforce to delivering impactful statements during the sessions of the UN Economic and Social Council, the IOE team championed the voice of business in its engagements at the High-Level Political Forum.

Despite the primarily online format of the 2024 High-Level Political Forum, IOE remained actively engaged and participated in numerous events. From the SDG Business Forum and a bilateral meeting with European Union representatives from the Economic and Social Committee to the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS)-IOE meeting on collaboration between UN Regional Coordinators and national employers’ organisations for achieving the SDGs, IOE was at the forefront. The team also took part in the USCIB roundtable"Navigating the UN Summit of the Future and Beyond with Business", and the Global AI Leadership Summit organised by Salesforce and the Eurasia Group.

IOE championed several key messages throughout its engagements. IOE Secretary-General Roberto Suárez Santos and the IOE Permanent Representative to the UN Shea Gopaul emphasised the critical importance of a well-functioning multilateral system for the private sector and the necessity of strengthening the collaboration between the private sector and the United Nations. IOE leadership also advocated for expanding this partnership beyond financing, urging the integration of the private sector's innovation and expertise into UN actions to drive meaningful progress.

Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development shared a compelling example during a specificIOE Forum of how the innovation and capacities of the private sector transformed UN action. In July 2022, the UN-backed Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed to resume exports of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea amid the ongoing war, showcasing the power of trade in times of crisis. This initiative was made possible largely byleveraging the trade sector's ability to rapidly move grains and other foodstuffs stranded in Black Sea ports. "Since every percentage increase in the price of food can push 10 million people into poverty –according to World Bank estimates– the initiative has had a tremendous welfare effect," explained Ms. Grynspan.

During the Global AI Leadership Summit, the IOE Secretary-General stated that the AI disruption we are witnessing is intertwined with impressive productivity enhancements, unseen upskilling, training, income, and job opportunities globally. "However, challenges like job displacement, algorithm management, privacy, and misinformation at the workplace are undeniable. Also, these disruptions are not isolated from the current profound transformations in the way we work. Focusing on good transitions is key. Let's not be driven by fear but by smart policies," he said.

IOE members who took part in IOE HLPF activities included Uganda, Nigeria, Mauritius, USA and Ecuador.

Reflections and planning got underway for IOE’s activities during the upcoming UN General Assembly and the Summit of the Future to be held in September. IOE will keep members updated on the schedule of events.