Manila, Philippines — 28-29 April 2025 — Chief of Programmes Ms. Tonilyn Lim represented the United Nations Global Compact at the High-Level Conference of Middle Income Countries hosted by the Philippine government. Ms. Toni served as a panelist for the first-ever Dialogue with the Private Sector, which focused on the theme “Enabling Impactful Partnerships for Sustainable Development.”
With support from the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP), the UN Global Compact emphasized the vital role of the private sector—particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)—in advancing national and regional sustainable development priorities. GCNP was represented by Executive Director Mr. Edward Gacusana and its Board of Trustees: Chairperson Ms. Victoria Tan of the Ayala Group, Vice Chairperson Ms. Maria Luz “Yayu” Javier of the Philippine Marketing Association, and Secretary Ms. Melissa Vergel de Dios of PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications.
Speaking on behalf of the UN Global Compact, Ms. Lim called for stronger alignment between public policy and private sector ambition to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She emphasized the need to invest in enabling environments, mobilize finance aligned with sustainability objectives, and support MSMEs in integrating into green and digital economies.
“Private sector actors—especially MSMEs—have an essential role in achieving the SDGs,” said Ms. Lim. “But we must collectively advocate for the policy frameworks, partnerships, and financing mechanisms that allow them to thrive.”
The session also reinforced GCNP’s commitment to localizing the UN Global Compact’s 2024–2025 global strategy by supporting companies in the Philippines to become more ambitious, accountable, and aligned with the Ten Principles and the SDGs.
Beyond the panel, Ms. Tonilyn Lim held a series of courtesy meetings with key Philippine government agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with the assistance and coordination of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations. These engagements reinforced the importance of enabling regulatory environments, expanding access to sustainable finance, and strengthening public-private collaboration to accelerate national progress toward the SDGs.
The UN Global Compact also extended an invitation for the Government of the Philippines to become the first Southeast Asian Member State to join its Government Group, a strategic advisory body that supports the Compact’s priorities and deepens engagement at the national level.
The participation of Ms. Lim and the GCNP at the High-Level Conference underscores the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in achieving long-term, inclusive, and sustainable development. As the 2030 target approaches, the UN Global Compact continues to call for bold, coordinated action from the private and public sectors alike to turn ambition into lasting impact.