The Global Compact Network Philippines held its General Assembly and Elections on 1 March 2022, 2:00 to 5:00 PM via Zoom. Five seats on the Board of Trustees were up for election. The program closed by announcing the new set of Board Members who are:
- Ma. Victoria “Vickie” Tan of Ayala Corporation – CHAIRPERSON
- Ma. Luz “Yayu” Javier of Philippine Marketing Association – VICE CHAIRPERSON
- Dr. Hian Ho Kua of Manila Doctors Hospital – CORPORATE SECRETARY
- Ms. June Cheryl “Chaye” Cabal-Revilla of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation – TREASURER
- Mr. Dennis Montecillo of International Care Ministries Foundation – VP for MARKETING
- Ms. Ana Margarita ‘Ginggay’ Hontiveros-Malvar of Aboitiz Equity Ventures – VP for MEMBERSHIP
UN Resident Coordinator Office, National Economic Development Authority messages for the GCNP and its participants
Mr. Khalid Hassan, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. and International Labor Organization (ILO) Country Director opened the program and emphasized the role of GCNP as one of the partners of the United Nations in pursuing the global development agenda. With only eight years to go before the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) deadline in 2030, the private sector has responded to the calls to alleviate climate change but there are areas in the country that remain to be most vulnerable to climate change. Mr. Hassan also hoped that the business leaders would adopt and educate multiple opportunities to address climate change such as shifting the renewable energy and adopting circular economy practices. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of decent work and expanded opportunities for women, including women holding leadership roles.
Mr. Hassan also recognized the GCNP’s Private Sector Champion initiative to support MSMEs affected by the pandemic and strengthen their resilience to withstand future shocks. He closed the message by congratulating GCNP for initiating the first SDG award that gives recognition to company leadership in integrating and promoting the SDGs and hoped that the GA provides GCNP with a strong start to implement activities and partnerships. He also reminded the group to take the opportunity to reach out beyond echo chambers and to transform into an organization to find common ground.
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon shared how the economy continues to recover and open up the economy after the government is able to figure out strategies to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic. She emphasized that the MSMEs are one of the more affected sectors, hence NEDA prepared responses such as linking up MSMEs to startups and cooperatives with private institutions. To quote, “This approach is aligned with your organization’s 10 in 10 business ambition for sustainable and resilient MSMEs project and we hope for your full and utmost support in implementing this program to expand economic opportunities of the sector mentioned. With the presence and participation of the private sector, we will have reliable partners in realizing the country’s long-term vision or the AmBisyon Natin 2040.”
SDG Pioneers shared innovations in addressing SDGs
Also during the plenary session, UN SDG Awardees shared their knowledge and experiences in delivering programs on sustainability. Dr. Darian Mc Bain, SDG Pioneer for Sustainable Ocean Economy presented the role of the financial system in mobilizing resources to capture economic opportunities for a sustainable future, such as increasing green investments to alleviate climate change effects in vulnerable regions such as the ASEAN. Singapore, through the Monetary Authority of Singapore, has a Green FInance Action Plan with the five pillars: strengthen financial sector resilience; developing markets and solutions such as carbon trading and hubs; harness technology such as Global Fintech Innovation Challenge; build knowledge and capacities and enhance data and disclosure. International and regional support of these pillars can create a vibrant green economy.
The last presenter is Zaw Ye Naung, UN SDG Pioneer 2019: Advancing Local Livelihoods award. Zaw is the CEO and Founder of AgriTrader.Asia. With the Covid-19 pandemic and the military coup in Myanmar, Zaw found himself pivoting strategies for his company to two resilience strategies: a) sell cheaper but better quality agriculture and livestock products and b) find stable markets for farmers and connect with responsible businesses aboard. To do this, he established a system that will connect farmers to markets. The result of the resilience gave the action strategies which are: “Helping Hand to Farmers: Live Sales” for Resilience Strategy 1 which was launched in August 2021 and sells products through the fintech platform; and www.agritrader.asia for Strategy 2 in cooperation with UNGC. The program would need 24 million USD to give long-term benefits to 20,000 farmers through producing products, adopting blockchain agriculture, and hearing feedback from the farmers themselves.
GCNP Updates from the Board of Trustees and Election
The second part of the Assembly was the reporting of the BOT to the members. Then BOT Chair Yayu Javier presented the review and updates of GCNP activities, Dr. Hian presented the financial report for 2021 and forecast for 2022, and former BOT Vice-Chair, Ms. Vickie Tan presented the activities of GCNP for the year. Afterward, the elections of the new board members were conducted. Executive Director Octavio “Bobby” Peralta introduced how the elections will be conducted. The General Assembly closed with the announcement of the new BOT and the upcoming activities such as the SDG Awards, UNGC Accelerator programs, among
others.
To request recordings or copies of presentations, kindly request through admin@gcnp.org.ph