Prime Minister Solberg ,Co-Chair of the SDG Advocacy Group and Prime Minister of Norway, Excellencies, Distinguished business leaders, Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to join you for this important luncheon on how we can jointly advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Last year’s global agreements on sustainable development and climate are milestones on the road to a better future. They mark a pivot to a new global conscience – an acceptance that we cannot and will not continue on the current course, and that we must leave no one behind.

The challenges we face are more complex and interdependent than ever before.

Solutions will involve everything from regulation to disruptive innovation, and everyone from world leaders and chief executives, to educators and citizens.

This week’s High Level Political Forum aims to provide political leadership to make sure the right actions are under way in this crucial first year of implementation.

Governments are reviewing the steps they are taking to integrate the SDGs into their national agendas. The goal is to learn from their early efforts, and to inspire all countries to get off to a strong start.

Just as Governments are mobilizing, so too are companies. I was greatly encouraged last month at the UN Global Compact Summit, when more than 1,000 business and civil society representatives came to the UN to endorse the SDGs and map out the road forward.

The SDGs are our blueprint for creating a sustainable world by 2030.  They also point the way toward the business activities and markets of the future.

Indeed, it is exciting to see companies setting corporate goals inspired by the SDGs, and letting sustainability drive innovation and investment.

Each of you here today has the power to help jump-start the responsible business practices, innovations and partnerships needed to achieve the SDGs.

We will need to work together across sectors and industries to address key issues such as finance, investment, trade, technology and data.

We intend to engage with more companies around the world to advance each of the SDGs and the bold climate agenda.

We will also count on you to place integrity at the heart of corporate sustainability and partnership efforts, and to embrace the Global Compact’s ten principles on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and anti-corruption.

This approach is good for people, good for the SDGs and good for your employees, operations and bottom lines.

I thank the many companies and organizations here today that are committed to bringing this new global agenda life in the corporate sector.

I am grateful for your leadership and partnership.

These are times of turmoil.  Each day seems to bring a new crisis.  But I continue to believe that this is far more an era of opportunity.

In a decade as Secretary-General, I have seen what can be achieved when we work together.  I have seen the United Nations and the private sector grow ever closer, with important results. 

I remain convinced that we can usher in an era of peace and prosperity for all on a healthy planet.

Thank you