At the invitation of International Organization of Employers (IOE), MEF representatives took part in Global Business Forum on SDGs held on October 1-2 in Madrid, Spain, an event hosted by IOE and its member federation – Spanish Employers’ Organization (CEOE), with the support of the European Union.
200 participants – representatives of international institutions and organizations, employers’ associations and companies from more than 50 countries came together for the event, with Montenegro’s delegation being consisted of Mirza Muleskovic, Zvezdana Oluic and Rumica Kostic, members of MEF General Secretariat.
A working part of the Forum saw fruitful reflections and discussions leading to a conclusion that only successful and sustainable enterprises can contribute to development and prosperity of nations and global community. Although the accomplishment of UN Agenda 2030 is a responsibility of the states, it would not be possible without private sector engagement. It is the IOE intention therefore to support its member organizations (MEF and other employers organizations globally) realize the activities aimed at SDGs accomplishment at national level.
Representative employers’ organizations and business associations should make a link with ministries so as to actively participate in discussions on Agenda 2030 policies and contribute to creation of national strategies of sustainable development and their monitoring mechanisms. The role and contribution of large companies to SDGs is evident so the Forum specially focused on the importance of SMEs in the process reflecting on the ways SMEs can integrate sustainability into their everyday operations. A unique platform http://businessfor2030.org was promoted at the event as well, in order to encourage more productive partnerships between public and private sector and demonstrate the need for an equally proportionate role of business in negotiations, implementation and monitoring mechanisms concerning Agenda 2030 – both at UN and national level.
