UN Global Compact Network USA Releases SDG Innovation Report

On February 14, 2023, UN Global Compact Network USA released their SDG Innovation Report titled, "Aligning Business Innovation with the Sustainable Development Goals: Success Stories," at an invite-only launch event at ASU Thunderbird in Phoenix, AZ. The SDG Innovation Report is available for download here.

Adam Roy Gordon, Interim Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network USA, delivered the opening remarks, followed by Cynthia Muffuh, Head of Human Rights and Gender, UN Global Compact, who gave the introductory remarks. Next, Mary Teagarden, Deputy Dean of Knowledge Enterprise and Professor of Global Management at Thunderbird School of Global Management, provided an overview of the SDG Innovation Report.

In addition, Network USA  hosted a panel discussion highlighting Network USA's SDG Innovation Program for Young Professionals. Shirley-Ann Behravesh, Assistant Professor of Global Sustainable Enterprise at Thunderbird School of Global Management, moderated the discussion. Panelists included Olivier Lazar, Vice President of Youth and Social Impact, PMI; Vance Merolla, Vice President of Global Sustainability, Colgate-Palmolive Company; and Victoria Emerick, Executive Director and Global Head of Corporate Sustainability Strategy and Operations, Bristol-Myers Squibb.

The SDG Innovation Report discusses the importance of innovation in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and offers guidance to companies on how they can innovate to reach the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Through years of operating this program with many of the world's largest companies, Network USA has identified several universal best practices that companies can employ to become sustainability change agents. In this report, Network USA shares the design logic, discusses rich implementation examples, shares its learnings, and recommends actionable steps companies can take to lead their businesses into a future as a force for good.