GCNP to hold the 4th Sustainability Summit: “Scaling Up the 10-in-10 Agenda for MSME Recovery and Resilience”

The UN Global Compact (UNGC), through its local network, the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP), in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), will hold its 4th Sustainability Summit in-person with the theme, “Scaling Up the 10-in-10 Agenda for MSME Recovery and Resilience”, on November 22, 2022 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) with an option for an online participation via Zoom.

This gathering of sustainability leaders and champions here in the Philippines and other countries will provide the landscape of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their sustainability journeys from the global, national and organizational contexts. Presentations from experts will showcase the sustainability achievements and best practices of large enterprises and MSMEs; strengthen peer-to-peer learning among the stakeholders; and give a platform for the local network in promoting the UNGC’s Ten Principles as well as the SDGs.

On the need for MSME Recovery and Resilience

The Covid19 pandemic has bred innovation and opportunities to businesses who adapt quickly to the changing environment. However, despite adaptive measures such as online platforms, diversification of products and services, non-cash payment options, and allowing employees to work from home, MSMEs struggled to recover from the losses brought by the pandemic. In 2019, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recorded that 99.5% (995,745) of businesses in the country are MSMEs which contributed 63% of total employment, and 40% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

In this context, the GCNP initiated a plan to help MSMEs recover and be more resilient. GCNP’s “10-in-10 Agenda” through its Private Sector Champions (PSC) Initiative called to unite its participant-companies to help their MSME ecosystems in their path to recovery and resiliency by enhancing their sustainability practices. The “10-in-10 Agenda” has 10 focus areas to be undertaken in 10 years (2021-2030) for the recovery and resilience of MSMEs. These are divided into three pillars, namely: People: (1) mental health support (2) access to medical support (3) food security; Prosperity: (4) financing (5) supply chain sustainability (6) business continuity management (7) diversification and market access; and Planet: (8) plastic and solid waste management (9) clean energy production and conservation and (10) water stewardship.

Scaling up the 10-in-10 Agenda

The Summit’s opening plenary highlights messages and speeches related to the progress of plans and support for MSMEs from the UN Global Compact, UN System Philippine Resident Coordinator, Mr. Gustavo Gonzalez and the Chair of the Global Compact Network Philippines, Ms. Ma. Victoria (/Vickie) Tan, Head of the Group Risk Management and Sustainability at Ayala Corporation. The annual CEO Circle Forum follows the opening plenary featuring seven CEOs of as many organizations who will discuss how businesses have progressed in their sustainability initiatives and how they can collaborate to support the MSME recovery and resilience and other possible SDG action points.

The Private Sector Champions session will have the Chair of its National Steering Committee and GCNP Chairperson, Ms. Ma. Victoria (Vickie) Tan, presenting the updates of the 10-in-10 Agenda while UNIDO Country Representative Mr. Teddy Monroy, will share UNIDO’s Green Recovery and Support for MSMEs. Each pillar lead will then present their work plans for the next 3-5 years.

To give examples and best practices on contributions to the three pillars, the winners of the first SDG Awards, namely, Unilever, Globe Telecom and Bayo Manila, will share their winning projects and how it contributed to the SDGs and the UNGC’s Ten Principles.

UNGC SDG Pioneer Awardees, Ms. Giulia Giuffrè, 2021 SDG Pioneer for Sustainable Water Management of IRRITEC S.p A., Italy; Mr. Greg Welsh, 2018 SDG Pioneer for Economic Empowerment of Indigenous Peoples Director of Winya Indigenous Furniture Australia and Mr. Gabriel Tan, 2022 SDG Pioneer for Circular Economy, Director of GUAVA Amenities Pte. Ltd., will share their initiatives as SMEs to address challenges related to people, planet, and prosperity.

The program will close with the announcement of the winners of the 2nd SDG Awards for outstanding contribution to People, Pillar, and Planet and the Outstanding SME.

So, join us at the 4th Sustainability Summit on November 22, 2022 in person at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) or online. To register, visit our Summit Page: https://gcnp.org.ph/sustainability-summit-2022/.