World Investment Forum:
Private sector should invest in sustainable development
Geneva: Leading members of the global investment community gathered
to meet sustainable development stakeholders at UNCTAD's World
Investment Forum which was launched at the Palais des Nations, Geneva,
on Monday.
"There is a strong business case for investing in sustainability.
Private sector approaches can help us to innovate," UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon said in a welcoming address delivered by video.
"At the same time, collaboration and partnership can ensure that
investment in sustainable development is inclusive and aligned with the
priorities of countries. This forum helps to forge such links," he said.
"You have the opportunity to contribute to improved livelihood and
well-being for billions of people over decades to come," Ki-moon said.
President of Switzerland Didier Burkhalter, co-host of the grand
opening with UNCTAD and the canton and city of Geneva, reiterated his
government's support for the objectives of UNCTAD in mobilising private
sector funding for sustainable development in partnership with the
public sector.
"We need a strong and realistic 'business plan' to finance fair and
efficient sustainable development," Burkhalter said.
"The latest UNCTAD World Investment Report has shown this and
proposed an Action Plan that offers a promising path and underlines the
need for innovation," he said.
Acting Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva, Michael
Møller said that discussions at the Forum were "not merely technical
debates but went to the 'heart' of the mission of the entire United
Nations.
He welcomed the opportunity that the Forum gives to "break down
silos" between public and private stakeholders in development.
UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi said, "Already investors are
more aware of opportunities in developing economies and at the same
time, countries are doing more to attract investment and ensure it makes
a positive impact."
"The Forum is an opportunity to consider solutions, promote
leadership in international investment and influence the future
direction of investing in sustainable development," he said.
UN Development Program Goodwill Ambassador and footballer Didier
Drogba spoke about investment into infrastructure in his country Côte
d'Ivoire, and held it up as an example of the need for investment in the
agricultural, demographic, industrial, educational and healthcare
challenges in many countries.
"As much as we, people like myself, can do in raising charitable
money and donations for these things, it will never be enough.
We need real investment on a solid economic basis to make a real
impact and to achieve sustainable development goals," he said.
President, Council of the State of Geneva, François Longchamp and
Inter-Parliamentarian Union President Abdelwahad Radi were also present
at the event.
The Master of Ceremonies was Director, Division of Investment and
Enterprise, UNCTAD, James Zhan.
Investment Promotion Awards 2014 were presented and a musical
performance by contemporary Swiss alphorn player and singer Eliana Burki
took place in the evening. |