Public Private Partnerships for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Overview

WASD 16th International Annual Conference and 5th Diaspora International Conference
co-organized and hosted by the
United Nations Joint Inspection Unit (JIU)
Geneva, Palais de Nations, 10-13 April 2018

For the first time since its inception the Annual Conference of the World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) will be co-organized with, and hosted by a United Nations body, namely the Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations system (JIU) in the Palais des Nations – Geneva, as an expression of participatory, open and multi-stakeholder approach that underlies the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Both JIU and WASD are inspired by the conviction that the 2030 Agenda and its 17 goals provides momentum for a renewed UN engagement with the private sector.

Diaspora

The collaboration between the Diaspora and those working within the country of origin offers several opportunities and contributes to increase productivity towards sustainable and inclusive knowledge-based growth. Building constructive relationships between the Diasporas and countries of origin require that Diasporas be treated not as a mere resource, but as partners and investors with mutual benefits.

It has long been argued that Diasporas will be most interested in contributing to SD efforts when they have a sense of belonging in relation to their country of origin. Therefore, it is very important to establish trust between Diasporas and governments in the country of origin. In doing so, governments need to invest in identifying their Diasporas abroad and in understanding their skills and interests.

Many sustainability problems can only be tackled by connecting the diaspora with those working within the country of origin, for example combating the results of climate change, diseases such as malaria, reservation of natural resources, fighting land degradation or limiting the loss of biodiversity and many other problems. Moreover, knowledge or evidence-based policymaking is indispensable if gaps in living standards are to be narrowed. Therefore, building capacity in country of origin is necessary for competing in the global arena and there it is critical to turn the diaspora into a positive tool for SD as well as serving as role models for the youth in the country of origin.

Location

Geneva, Switzerland

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Team

The conference is organised by several committees from WASD and under close supervision of WASD Advisory Board.

WASD Team

Prof. Allam Ahmed: Co-Chair and President WASD
Janet Snow: International Coordinator and Editor
N. Joseph Navinraj: Publishing
Salma Hassan: Marketing and Communication
Ahmed Abdeldaim: Project Coordinator
Sara Altigani: Social Media
Mhdi Safe Aldeen Ibrahim: Webmaster
Sheema Hassan: Network Coordinator
Siham Ismail: Network Coordinator
Joseph Adamson: Video Production
Moniem Ibrahim: Video Production
Vicky Trainer: Graphic Designer
Mervyn Clingan: Video Production

UN JIU Team

Dr. Petru Dumitriu: Conference Chair and author of the JIU report on
the partnership between the United Nations and the private sector
Hervé Baudat: Research Assistant
Lucie Pelfort: Intern
Pierre Alan Seya: Intern

Participants

WASD conferences bring together researchers, policy makers, educators, consultants and employers from around the world to exchange knowledge and experience and discuss recent developments and current challenges in both theory and practice. Here is a list of distinguished speakers and panellists who have participated at WASD conferences in the past.

International Partners and Network

United Nations Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations system (JIU)
United Nations International Children Fund (UNICEF), UK
United Nations Global Compact Network UK
UNESCO Cousteau Eco-technie Chair
Central Regional Investment Marrakesh, Morocco
United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UN MGCY)
AngloAmerican, UK
Bait Altijjar, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Kingdom of Bahrain
Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain
Centre for Islamic Finance Law and Communities (CIFLAC), University of East London, UK
Future University, Sudan
Environment and Natural Resources and Desertification Research Institute (ENDRI), National Centre for Research (NCR), Sudan
Impact Hub Khartoum, Sudan
Salih Hamed Training and Capacity Building Center, Sudan
Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex, UK
Middle Eastern Knowledge Economy Institute (MEKEI), UK
Emerald Group Publishing, UK
Greenleaf Publishing, UK
Palgrave Macmillan, UK
Sudan Knowledge, UK

Sustainable Development Goals

Languges

Related Conferences

Social Networks

Objectives

The expected results of the Conference include:

a better understanding of the evolving nature of existing and emerging partnerships and provide the United Nations system and its Member States with valuable information regarding good practices innovative approaches, lessons learned in engaging private sector;
an assessment of the fitness for purpose of existing models of multi-stakeholders partnerships arrangements involving the private sector, as means to leverage resources and concerted efforts towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals;
a critical examination of current policies, administrative set ups, frameworks and structures and of their potential to stimulate and valorise the partnerships with the private sector;
the identification of good practices and opportunities to enhance coherence, synergies and coordination in building United Nations/ public partnerships with the private sector and to build bridges of common interest, values and mutual understanding;
an exploration of new ways to enhance the inter-operability between the United Nations organizations and the enterprises and to improve conceptual, operational and administrative elements of the partnership framework, based on knowledge common platform;
the stimulation of new forms of interaction dialogue and partnership between the UN system, the private companies and the academia in service of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Women

Women across the world have an untapped potential as a primary mover of greater development within their countries and regions. Their role is very crucial for increased development, but challenges remain. And so, significant reforms in economic, social, and political institutions must be made to create an enabling environment for women participation and empowerment. However, it appears that investments in human development are not readily translated to better economic and political outcomes for women. Unfortunately, women’s potential and crucial role in development across the world is still impeded by these economic and social factors. Women’s participation is also very important in advancing peace, unity and combating terrorism, which is a most serious threat to SD across all regions of the world. It has also been recognized that women have been largely excluded from the processes of conflict management and prevention and that their role is important in the achievement of lasting peace and security (UN, 2015).

Theme

The thematic focus of the 2018 Conference will be “Public private partnerships for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. Both JIU and WASD are inspired by the conviction that the 2030 Agenda and its 17 goals provides momentum for a renewed UN engagement with the private sector.

Paragraph 67 of United Nations General Assembly resolution 70/1 recognizes the role of the private sector in development and calls upon its contribution: “Private business activity, investment and innovation are major drivers of productivity, inclusive economic growth and job creation. We acknowledge the diversity of the private sector, ranging from micro-enterprises to cooperatives to multinationals. We call upon all businesses to apply their creativity and innovation to solving sustainable development challenges. We will foster a dynamic and well-functioning business sector, while protecting labour rights and environmental and health standards in accordance with relevant international standards and agreements and other ongoing initiatives in this regard […]”.

The need for partnerships is recognized in Sustainable Development Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. This implies more qualitative and quantitative engagement of the private sector in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, an enhanced impact of the United Nations values and objectives, in particular related to sustainability, on the business models of private companies, advances in the engagement of businesses from corporate social responsibility to direct contributions to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, or expansion of for-profit actors’ activities in areas which were usually addressed by public entities.

From that perspective, JIU undertakes in 2017 a review of “United Nations – private sector partnership in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” which will explore ways and means to improve the contribution of the private sector to the implementation of the Agenda, and stimulate its interest to engage in partnership with the United Nations system organizations as well as to improve efficiency in the use of resources.

Youth

WASD is very keen to encourage the engagement of children and youth from across the world in the conference. We are keen to make the voice of all our children and youth heard and consequently enabling the decision makers to consider those views and ideas in their big decisions. The entire concept of SD is about the future and the future is all about the children and youth! Youth population is growing rapidly in all regions of the world and we are very keen to understand the children and youth perspectives and expectations for their future to help them be ready to grasp the various opportunities generated in the digital economy. We strongly believe our children and youth should be the cornerstone of any strategy by all governments and policy makers. We must listen to our children and youth and more importantly how we can help our youth with their future employment plans and aspirations. Youth from all-over the world are encouraged to participate in the conference and present their research, perspectives and initiatives.

Publications

Outlook 2018 is a truly global source book, reﬂected in the varied national and cultural origins of the contributors, as well as the topics and case studies covered. This volume includes a selection of the best full papers during the conference. The conference aimed at exploring ways and means of improving the contribution of the private sector to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and stimulate its interest to engage in partnerships with the UN system organisations, as well as to improve efﬁciency in the use of resources. The conferences brought together the experiences and lessons learned from across the world, focusing on various initiatives and case studies in the vital role of Public Private Partnerships in the Implementation of Agenda 2030.

Editor: Professor Allam Ahmed
ISBN: 978-1-907106-47-7
Year: 2018
Pages: 507

Speakers

Welcome Remarks by the conference chairs

Petru Dumitriu, Inspector, Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations system
Allam Ahmed, President, World Association for Sustainable Development

Keynote Statements

Mr. Michael Møller, Under-Secretary General, Director General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (delivered by Mr. Clemens Adams, Director, Division of Administration, Officer in Charge, United Nations Office at Geneva)
Ms. Arancha González, Under-Secretary General, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre
Ms. Olga Algayerova, Under-Secretary General, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Hon. Dr. Gale T. C. Rigobert, Minister of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development, Government of Saint Lucia
Mr. Erol Kiresepi, President of the International Organisation of Employers, CEO of Santa Pharma
Ms. Lise Kingo, Executive Director and CEO, United Nations Global Compact, USA (Delivered by Angus Rennie, Senior Manager, Partnerships, United Nations Global Compact)
Miss Lena Alam, Year 3 student and Mrs Sarah Collymore, Headteacher and National Leader of Education, St George’s CE Primary School, UK

Introduction of flagship documents
Moderator: Urenthren Pillay, Executive Secretary, Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations system

The United Nations System – Private sector partnership arrangements in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, JIU/REP/2017/8
Petru Dumitriu, Inspector, Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations system
World Sustainable Development Outlook 2018
Allam Ahmed, President, World Association for Sustainable Development
Global Compact International Yearbook: Sustainability in Troubled Times
Elmer Lenzen, Chair, Macondo Foundation

Thematic Panel (Incentivizing the private sector)
Moderator: Professor Beverlee Anderson, Professor Emerita Business Administration, California State University San Marcos, USA
Rapporteur: Professor Nassr Ahmad, Professor of Accounting, Ghrian University and General Manger of Agricultural Bank, Libya

Dorothea Wehrmann, German Development Institute
Christian Pirzer, Poject Manager and Consultant, Endeva
Agustìn Delgado, Sustainability Director, Iberdola Group
Angus Rennie, Senior Manager, Partnerships, United Nations Global Compact
Rajinder Jhol, Executive Director, SD Global Partnership Association, Switzerland

Thematic Panel (Investing in SDG)
Moderator: Dr. Mohammed Nurul Alam, Yorkville University, Canada

Albena Melin, Head, Multilateral Engagements, International Finance Corporation
Philip Moss, Head, SD Investment Partnership, World Economic Forum
Barbara Adams, Board Chair, Global Policy Forum, USA
Phaedon Stamatopoulos, Director, Refining and Banking, Argor-Heraeus SA, Switzerland
Jérôme Stucki, Industrial Development Officer, UN Industrial Development Organization
Carolien de Bruin, Founder & CEO C-Change, the Netherlands

Special dialogue (How can blockchain technology help us to finance the SDGs?)
Moderator: Dejan Dincic, International Consultant, Digital Transformation of Organisations, Switzerland
Rapporteur: Shraddha. S. Sathe, Deputy General Manager, Internal Audit Dept, Shipping Corporation of India Ltd, India

Main presentation: How can blockchain technology help us to finance SDGs?
Stefan Brunnhuber, Professor dr., Member of the Club of Rome and European Academy of Science and Arts
Discussants:
Bernhard Kowatsch, Head of Innovation Accelerator, World Food Programme
Jan Ohnesorge, Associate Researcher, German Development Institute, Germany
Maria Teresa Pisani, Economic Affairs Officer, UN Economic Commission for Europe

Thematic Panel (Knowledge partnerships)
Moderator: Professor Ronald McQuaid, Professor of Work and Employment, University of Stirling, UK
Rapporteur: Dr. Hala Abou Arraj, Interim Registrar, American University of Beirut, Lebanon

The Knowledge for Development Partnership as a public-private partnership: the evolution of the Agenda Knowledge for Development
Sarah Cummings, VU University Amsterdam, Knowledge for Development Partnership, The Netherlands
Implementing the SDGs by subnational governments- urgent need to strengthen administrative capacities
Raymond Saner, University of Basel, Switzerland
Simona Constanzo Sow, United Nations System Staff College, Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development

Thematic Panel (Building bridges to the private sector)
Moderator: Professor Abdelkader Djeflat, Professor of Economics & Chairman Maghreb Technology Network, University of Lille, France
Rapporteur: Dr. Rui Mu, Associate Professor, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, China

Jorge Laguna-Celis, Director of Governance Affairs and Private Sector Relations, United Nations Environment
Elmer Lenzen, CEO Macondo Publishing GmbH
Helen Medina, Senior Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé S.A., Switzerland
Antonio Hautle, Executive Director, Global Compact Network Switzerland
Andrew Brown, Director, Quid Europe, UK

Thematic Panel (Partnership for innovation)
Moderator: Jonas Svensson, Head of Innovations Unit, United Nations Office for Project Services, Denmark
Rapporteur: Dr. Cristian Matti, Knowledge and Learning Manager, EIT Climate-KIC , Belgium and Utrecht University, the Netherlands

Mia Rolf, CEO, Ideon Science Park, Sweden
Elaine Chen, Senior Lecturer and Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship, USA
Konrad Bergstorm, President and Co Founder, Zound Industries, Sweden
Hiro Tamura, Partner at Atomico, UK
Rys Farthing, Ocean Generation
Elisabeth Fosseli Olsen, Senior Advisor and Head of Humanitarian Innovation at Innovation Norway, Innovation Norway

Thematic Panel (Coalescing the energies of SMEs)
Moderator: Professor Danilo Sampaio, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil
Rapporteur: Dr. Siham El-Kafafi, Director of Research, ICL Education Group, New Zealand

Roberto Suarez-Santos, Deputy Secretary-General, International Organisation of Employers
Govind Venuprasad, Coordinator, South-South Trade and Investment Programme, International Trade Centre
Willem Overbosch, Founder and CEO, Dutch Network Group, The Netherlands
Islamic banking finance to small entrepreneurs: a case of Kenya (An Institutional Network Approach)
Mohammed Nurul Alam, Yorkville University, Canada
Nurulayn Binte Noor, Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada

Thematic Panel (Measuring sustainability)
Moderator: Professor Ghassan Abu-Lebdeh, Professor of Civil Engineering/Transportation, American University of Sharjah, UAE
Rapporteur: Dr. Bhabani Shankar Nayak, Senior Lecturer, School of Strategy and Leadership, Coventry Business School, Coventry University, UK

José Alcorta, Manager, Technical Group, International Organisation for Standardisation
Markus T. Schweizer, Managing Partner, Strategic Solutions, Ernst & Young Ltd.
Sander Chan, German Development Institute, Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development
Lichia Saner-Yiu, President, Centre for Socio-economic Development, Switzerland

Thematic Panel (Repositioning the United Nations system)
Moderator: Dr. Petru Dumitriu, Inspector, Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations system
Rapporteur: Nurulayn Binte Noor, Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada

Bernhard Kowatsch, Head of Innovation Accelerator, World Food Programme (WFP)
Christopher Clark, Head, Membership and Partner Relations Division, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Marina Skuric-Prodanovic, Chief, System-wide Approaches & Practices Section, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Virpi Stucki, Business Partnership Officer, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Marilena Viviani, Director Geneva Liaison Office, Public Partnerships Division, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Monica Ferro, Chief of the UNFPA Office in Geneva, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Andy Garner, Laboratory Coordinator, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

SDG I7 (Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development)
Moderator: Dr. Susann Stritzke, Research Associate Renewable Energy, University of Oxford, UK
Rapporteur: Mahmood Habib Alaafia, Head Admin Services & Coordination and Coordinator of Research & Development, Northern Municipal Council, Kingdom of Bahrain

Public private partnerships (PPPs) in history, theory and practice (Bhabani Shankar Nayak, Coventry University, UK)
Public Private Partnerships in Services (Ronald McQuaid, University of Stirling, UK)
Public-Private Partnerships and their relationship with sustainable development in Brazil (Danilo de Oliveira Sampaio, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil)
Public-Private Partnerships for sustainable development: how customers, employees and investors can inform the selection process (Beverlee B. Anderson, California State University San Marcos, USA)
Multiple pathways to form PPPs for urban public service delivery: a case study of bicycle-sharing service in China (Huanming Wang, Dalian University of Technology, China)

(Affordable and clean energy/Sustainable cities and communities/Climate action/Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions)
Moderator: Dr. Moazzem Hossain, Associate Professor, International Business and Asian Studies, Griffith University, Australia
Rapporteur: Dr. Nahlaa A. Khalifa, Assistant Professor, Clinical Nutrition, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

Implementing the first solar PPP in Zambia: Policy implications & learning lessons (Susann Stritzke, University of Oxford, UK)
A synergistic evaluation of the ecological view and the government performance concept: an exploratory study of 45 cities in western China (Yan Li, Dalian University of Technology, China)
Combating desertification in Sudan: experiences and lessons learned (Sarra A. M. Saad, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Sudan Allam Ahmed, University of Sussex, UK Sufyan A. M. Ossman, Ministry of Oil, Sudan)
Understanding the attitude of generation Y towards transport apps: the case of Dubai (Ghassan Abu-Lebdeh, American University of Sharjah, UAE)
Sustainable economic development in post-conflict Colombia (Vilma Dahiana Bedoya Bahamón, University of Tolima, Colombia)

Industry, innovation and infrastructure)
Moderator: Dr. Adil Dafa’Alla, Specialist, Aero Data for Loads, Airbus UK Ltd Group, UK
Rapporteur: Vilma Dahiana Bedoya Bahamón, University of Tolima, Colombia

Innovation platforms fostering communities of practice in a low carbon economy towards 2030(Cristian Matti, EIT Climate-KIC , Belgium and Utrecht University, the Netherlands)
Individual factors affecting administrative innovation in Lebanon (Hala Abou Arraj, American University of Beirut, Lebanon)
Promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation through a PPP in Africa (Abdelkader Djeflat, University of Lille, France)
Research and development collaboration between the Northern Municipal Council and local universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain (Mahmood Habib Alaafia, Northern Municipal Council, Kingdom of Bahrain)
Demystifying China’s environmental governance system 1973-2016: role of law, position of actor and linkage of policy (Rui Mu, Dalian University of Technology, China)

SDGs 4/5/8 (Quality education/Gender equality/Decent work and economic growth)
Moderator: Dr. Florence Nisabwe, Director Lancedafric.org, South Africa
Rapporteur: Olivia Joseph-Aluko, Social Justice Advocate & CEO, Reinvent African Diaspora Network, UK

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the education sector of Bangladesh: what prospects in higher education?
Moazzem Hossain, Griffith University, Australia
Samsul Hoque, Government of Bangladesh, Bangladesh
Privatisation and women’s employment position in Sudan
Elsadig Musa Ahmed, Multimedia University, Malaysia
mpact of corporate entrepreneurship on organisational culture
Siham El-Kafafi, ICL Education Group, New Zealand
The role of youth in countering violent-extremism and promoting peace and social cohesion: the case of Together SAFE Initiative
Anji Ben Hamed, Ali Taqi and Wejdan Jawad. Ahlia University, Kingdom of Bahrain

SDG I7 (Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development)
Moderator: Professor Elsadig Musa Ahmed, Professor of Economics and Technology Management, Multimedia University, Malaysia
Rapporteur: Lade Olugbemi, Human Right Activist and CEO, The Nous Organisation Ltd, UK

Migration and the role of sustainable development
Olivia Joseph-Aluko, Reinvent African Diaspora Network, UK
Towards modelling diaspora role as international agents for development
Adil A. Dafa’Alla, Airbus UK, UK
Promotion of private sector participation (PSP) in Indian ports
Shraddha. S. Sathe, the Shipping Corporation of India Ltd, India
Development and integration between public and private entrepreneurship and globalisation
Daba Chowdhury, University of Suffolk, UK
The role and importance of diaspora in the political life of the state
Gulnash Askhat, Kazakh Ablai khan University of International Relations & World Languages, Kazakhstan

SDGs 3/12 (Good health and well-being/Responsible consumption & production)
Moderator: Dr. Mayada Abu Affan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, UK
Rapporteur: Dr Dababrata Chowdhury, Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Director of Middle East Research Centre (MERC), University Campus Suffolk, UK

The importance of mental health well-being within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030
Lade Olugbemi, The Nous Organisation Ltd, UK
The impact of Sudanese honey on breast cancer cells
Rasha Alhaj, Imperial College London and Queen Mary University of London, UK
Use of Talbinah (Barley Broth) as a pattern of depression management among Saudi female medical students
Nahlaa A. Khalifa, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
Striving for environmental excellence by controlling future brownfields in Africa specifically for Ethiopia: a grey incidence decision-making approach
Mikiale Gebreslase, Northwestern Polytechnical University, China

Concluding remarks and end of conference

Petru Dumitriu, Inspector, Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations system, Switzerland
Allam Ahmed, President, World Association for Sustainable Development, UK