Global Business Leaders Urge Strong, Inclusive Multilateralism

Four of the world’s leading business associations, including IOE, are calling for greater international solidarity to strengthen multilateralism.

On the occasion of the Summit of the Future at the United Nations in New York, the global business community, in a Joint Declaration, has called for resilient, inclusive and effective multilateralism to address pressing global challenges, foster sustainable growth, and ensure long-term prosperity.

In the Declaration, endorsed by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the UN Global Compact, the International Chambers of Commerce (ICC) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the world’s major business associations recognise that effective multilateralism, is critical to ensure the conditions for people to live a decent life, leaving no one behind and enabling all to participate in society, through a renewed social contract inspired by the Pact of the Future.

The Joint Declaration underscores seven critical areas where multilateralism is essential, including improving the environment for enterprises– especially small and medium enterprises– and harnessing the full potential of digitalisation. It outlines how the business community currently supports and can further advance multilateral efforts. It also calls for ensuring meaningful representation for businesses in formal and informal multilateral dialogues. Read the full Declaration in the "Resources" section.

The Declaration concludes by reiterating that the global business community, along with the UN ECOSOC Business and Industry Major Group, stands ready to partner with governments and the UN to build a sustainable and inclusive future for all.