Firms and the Sustainable Development Goals: Time to design industrial policies for the SDGs

OECD high-level side event in the margins of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, 12 July 2021

The private sector has a significant role to play in the achievement of the SDGs, along with other stakeholders. Numerous firms consider it economically viable to develop sustainable products and services linked to their core business. As the SDGs draw more and more attention, this course of action may expand both business opportunities for companies and value added for society.

This event was intended to present emerging insights on how industrial policy can foster the private sector's contribution to the SDGs. It aimed to:

ii) Stimulate discussion between policy makers and the private sector on the main obstacles and enablers for the sustainability transition of companies

iii) Spark exchanges among policy makers on the design of industrial policies and strategies for the SDGs.

The event provided an opportunity for the UN community to discuss these important questions and exchange their experience.