The United Nations Global Compact announced twelve new SDG Pioneers today — business professionals who are doing an exceptional job to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the implementation of the Ten Principles of the United Nations (UN) Global Compact on human rights, environment, labour and anti-corruption.

The SDG Pioneers program recognises the dedicated professionals who drive and innovate solutions through new technologies, initiatives and business models that can enable us to reach the SDGs by 2030. The search focused on professionals working at any level in a company participating in the UN Global Compact and the winners selected come from Western Europe and North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Oceania.

Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact stated: “These SDG Pioneers are leading the way in showing that business can be a force for good. Their innovative approaches and unwavering commitment to sustainability are inspiring examples of how the private sector can contribute to achieving the SDGs.”

This year,  Alison Chan, Investment Director of Sustainable Finance at Metrics Credit Partners, has been named a 2024 SDG Pioneer by the UN Global Compact! The UN Global Compact Network Australia (UNGCNA) congratulates Alison on this exceptional achievement and for all of her contributions in advancing the SDGs through sustainable investment strategies and impactful financial solutions.

Alison Chan was a guest speaker at the Forward Faster Forum hosted by the UNGCNA earlier this year.

The 2024 SDG Pioneers are:

Africa:

• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Kevin Getobai, Ololo Farming Company Ltd, Kenya — Kevin leads sustainable agricultural practices, focusing on innovative farming techniques that address food security and environmental sustainability.
• Large National or Multinational Company: Mennatullah AbdelGawad, Hassan Allam Holding, Egypt — Mennatullah is dedicated to integrating sustainable development principles into Egypt’s construction industry, promoting eco-friendly practices and community development.

Asia-Oceania:

• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Alison Chan, Metrics Credit Partners, Australia — Alison drives sustainable investment strategies, focusing on impactful financial solutions that align with environmental and social goals.
• Large National or Multinational Company: Lucia Karina, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Indonesia, Indonesia — Lucia leads initiatives in water stewardship, contributing to Coca-Cola’s global sustainability targets.

Eastern Europe:

• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Shiva Parizadmashhadi, PolyVim LLC, Georgia — Shiva pioneers eco-friendly construction materials, advancing the use of recycled plastics in building infrastructure.
• Large National or Multinational Company: Yılmaz Yıldız, Zurich Insurance Group, Türkiye — Yılmaz champions a holistic approach to sustainable practices, emphasizing diverse areas ranging from empowering women in society and professional life, to supporting climate resilience, enabling social equity, and improving mental health.

Middle East:

• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Rybale al Hage, Deloitte Middle East, Regional office, Lebanon — Rybale leads Deloitte Middle East’s Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability strategy, and is committed to embedding sustainable business practices across the organization and to empowering professionals and communities to drive responsible climate choices.
• Large National or Multinational Company: Hasan Ali H Raboui, Saudi Awwal Bank, Saudi Arabia — Hasan leads initiatives to promote sustainable finance, aligning banking practices with environmental and social impact goals.

Western Europe and North America:

• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Andreas Schraegle, Rathgeber GmbH & Co. KG, Germany — Andreas advances sustainable manufacturing processes, focusing on reducing waste and improving energy efficiency in production.
• Large National or Multinational Company: Andrea Brown, LyondellBasell (LYB), USA — Andrea has been instrumental in advancing circular economy initiatives promoting recycling and sustainable materials management.

Latin America and the Caribbean:

• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Fabiana Schaeffer, Netza&CO, Brazil — Fabiana leads initiatives that incorporate sustainability into large-scale events, ensuring that environmental and social considerations are central to event planning and execution.
• Large National or Multinational Company: Antonio Garcia Cancino, Suburbia, Mexico — Antonio drives sustainable retail practices, focusing on supply chain transparency and ethical sourcing.

The SDG Pioneer entries were judged by an expert panel of representatives of the UN Global Compact Board Members, alongside previous SDG Pioneers and representatives from academia and UN agencies.

The UN Global Compact congratulates these individuals for their exceptional leadership and their dedication to making the world a better place through sustainable business practices.

About the United Nations Global Compact

The ambition of the UN Global Compact is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the SDGs through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 20,000 participating companies, 5 Regional Hubs, 62 Country Networks covering 78 countries and 14 Country Managers establishing Networks in 20 other countries, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative — one Global Compact uniting business for a better world.

About the UN Global Compact Network Australia

UN Global Compact Network Australia (UNGCNA) brings together Australian participants of the UN Global Compact, including over 65 listed companies, other businesses, non-profits and universities, to advance the private sector’s contribution to sustainable development. We connect, enable and lead businesses and stakeholders to create a sustainable future by supporting businesses to act responsibly and helping them find opportunities to drive positive business outcomes.

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