The Global Compact Network Australia has launched the CEO Statement of Support for the Sustainable Development Goals, with over thirty leaders from the Australian business community coming together behind the statement.

The CEO Statement is being launched on the occasion of the inaugural Australian SDGs Summit, which will, for the first time since the SDGs came into effect, bring together Australian leaders and decision-makers from government, business, civil society, academia and youth organisations to advance Australian action to achieve the SDGs.

“Today, with this Statement, this incredible list of CEOs showing support for the SDGs demonstrates the private sector’s willingness to contribute to realising a sustainable future for Australia and the world,” said Alice Cope, Executive Manager, Global Compact Network Australia.

“We are seeing companies embrace the SDGs both in recognition of the critical role they have in contributing to the agenda but also the upside to their businesses in doing so. The SDGs provide a framework for both risk management and opportunity. Businesses that are able to offer solutions to the local and global sustainability challenges represented by the goals will build resilience, find new markets and position themselves competitively for the future,” said Alice.

“The scope of the SDGs is broad, and businesses will find relevant points in the agenda that they can connect with and contribute to,” said Alice. “The SDGs also provide a framework to align business strategies with national and global priorities, and so provide a shared agenda around which business, government, civil society and academia can come together.”

The GCNA provides Australia’s leading platform for business engagement with the SDGs. Through its Sustainable Development Leadership Group, launched last year in partnership with DFAT, the GCNA has been supporting companies in mapping their activities against the SDGs and incorporating the goals into thinking and strategies.

Read the CEO Statement here

Read the CEO Statement Press Release here

Read the Australian SDGs Summit Press Release here

Companies whose CEOs signed the CEO Statement of Support:

1. ANZ Bank
2. Australia Post
3. Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility
4. BHP Billiton
5. Brambles
6. Coffey International
7. Commonwealth Bank of Australia
8. Control Risks
9. CourtHeath Consulting
10. EY
11. IKEA
12. International SOS
13. Intrepid Travel
14. Futureye
15. Konica Minolta
16. KPMG
17. Melbourne Water
18. National Australia Bank
19. Nestlé
20. Office EQ
21. Oil Search
22. Optus
23. Paper Force
24. PwC
25. Rio Tinto
26. SMEC
27. Solaris Paper
28. Stockland
29. Telstra
30. Visy Industries
31. Wesfarmers
32. Westpac
33. Yarra Valley Water

Sign up for updates