The UN Global Compact Leaders Summit brought together thousands of participants for a 24-hour conversation. Organized virtually, the event will bring together leading voices from Business, Government, the United Nations, Civil Society and Academia to address learnings from COVID-19 and how strong multilateralism must be the foundation for a strong, sustainable and stable future.

The Connecting Business initiative (CBi) hosted a UN Pavilion where the Secretariat and CBi Member Networks will meet attendees, host live sessions and provide other materials for participants to learn more about collective private sector engagement in disaster management, including COVID-19 response and recovery.


CBi Introduction Sessions

Three short sessions were scheduled for participants to learn about the Connecting Business initiative (CBi) and how can we can collectively strengthen private sector engagement before, during and after crises.

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CBi Live Sessions

1. A multi-stakeholder response to natural disasters during COVID-19

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Vanuatu was the first country to be hit by a natural hazard while in COVID-19 lockdown. Since then, we have seen several other hazards from earthquakes to tropical storms challenging countries as they also continue to address the different impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This live session explored how National Disaster Management Organizations (NDMOs) have collaborated with companies to prepare for, respond to or recover from natural hazards during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focus was on the value of collective private sector engagement to support national efforts. The session highlighted the experiences from the Philippines - identified by the World Risk Index as one of the most hazard-prone countries in the world - and discussed how their lessons learned can be applied in other countries.

 

2. COVID-19 recovery - examples of business contributions 

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While some countries are still trying to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, others have started to cautiously re-open their societies. How this is done will determine what the aftermath of the pandemic is likely to look like. Structural changes, partnerships and new technological solutions will be required to recover from the virus and its social and economic consequences and set the development into a more equitable, green and resilient path going forward.

This session explored the role of the private sector in contributing to the recovery and the path to the new normal. It highlighted collective action and provide examples of private sector initiatives that support governments, the UN and other stakeholders towards a in building long-term resilience.

 

CBi Member Network Sessions 

CBi member networks also hosted four live sessions to feature their work, share concrete examples and good practices. Representatives from the CBi Member Networks Madagascar, Philippines , Sri Lanka and Turkey presented how the private sector is working with governments, the UN and other stakeholders to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Madagascar

Isabelle Salabert, Executive Director, AXIAN Foundation / President, PSHP - Private Sector Humanitarian Platform Madagascar / CBi Member Network in Madagascar

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The Philippines

Rene "Butch" Meily, President of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) / CBi Member Network in the Philippines

Sri Lanka

Firzan Hashim, Country Director, Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) / CBi Member Network in Sri Lanka

Michelle Joseph, Information & Communications Officer, Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD) / CBi Member Network in Sri Lanka

Turkey 

Pelin Kihtir Öztürk, Director, Business for Goals / CBi Member Network in Turkey

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Resources:

Please download the materials to learn more about the Connecting Business initiative and the work of its private sector networks (Cote d’Ivoire, Philippines and Sri Lanka as examples). The links below will take you to reports, tools, newsletters and videos.

CBi and Private Sector in Disaster Management

CBi Response to COVID-19 

CBi Member Network Resources 

Private Sector Humanitarian Platform Côte d’Ivoire

Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation

Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management Sri Lanka

Photo: UN Global Compact

UN Global Compact Virtual Leaders Summit 2020 - CBi Pavilion (Recording available)
15 - 16 June 2020 | 00:01 - 00:01 (UTC +00:00)