Global South-South Development (GSSD Expo) 2018 Thematic Solution Forum 8, 29 November 2018 at UNHQ

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Global South-South Development (GSSD Expo) 2018 Thematic Solution Forum 8

“Private Sector Partnerships
for Inclusive and Sustainable South-South Cooperation”

29 November 2018, Conference Room 1, United Nations Headquarters, New York

Co-organised by The Asia Foundation
UN Office for South-South Cooperation (Asia-Pacific) and

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)

Co-sponsored by the Royal Thai Government and the Government of Singapore

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I. Introduction

The Second High-Level UN Conference for South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40) will take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina in March 2019. A critical shift is the increasing recognition that achieving sustainable development requires multi-stakeholder partnerships for success.

As Asia-Pacific South-South cooperation expands in scale and scope, the private-sector has assumed a larger role, with significant impacts in addressing global regional, national and community development challenges. The GSSD Expo 2018 provides an opportunity to deepen understanding and expansion of the potential of these partnerships.

 

II. Objectives and Thematic Focus

Asian private-sector companies and corporations have played a significant role in Asian-led economic cooperation for decades. Public-private partnerships, often facilitated by Asian states, have supported partner countries in developing infrastructure and extracting resources.

Alongside the massive infrastructure investments, Asian-born companies have altered traditional ways of doing business, bringing new technologies and innovation to markets, and creating additional jobs and opportunities that have brought millions out of poverty.

The role of the private sector in Asian-led South-South cooperation has evolved. As Asian companies become part of the “development cooperation” equation with partner countries, they increasingly look for ways to improve the social impact of their investments. Business is no longer seen as peripheral to discussions on how to reduce poverty and create positive community impact. Rather, Asian companies have expanded their exploration of responsible investment, corporate social responsibility activities, and shared-value strategies through their foreign direct investment (FDI) and South-South cooperation. Shared-value strategies have both social and business value, advancing economic competitiveness while at the same time addressing social and development challenges.

Thematic Solution Forum 8 presents and analyses cases that reveal how the Asia-Pacific private sector is addressing sustainable development in the region, forging innovative partnerships and restyling the form and practice of Asian development cooperation as these partnerships evolve.

 

III. Format and Scope of Discussion

The 80-minute session will start with brief opening session led by high-level representatives from the Royal Thai Government, the Government of Singapore as Co-Sponsors, UNOSSC and UNDESA. The open debate will be Davos-style and private sector-led featuring panellists from Asia’s private sector and a UN representative. The discussion will be moderated by the Asia Foundation.

 

Programme

13.30-13.40 hrs          High-Level Opening Session 

  • Jorge Chediek, Envoy of the Secretary-General for South-South Cooperation and Director of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation
  • E. Mr. Vitavas Srivihok, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations
  • E. Mr Burhan Gafoor, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations
  • Elliot Harris, Assistant Secretary-General, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) (VDO Presence)

 

13.40-14.30 hrs          Open-debate by the Panel: Moderator: Anthea Mulakala, Director for International Development Cooperation, The Asia Foundation

  • Cholanat Yanaranop, Executive Vice President, Siam Cement PLC (SCG), President, SCG Chemicals and Chairman of SCG Group Sustainability Committee, Thailand
  • Hee Kyung Min, Executive Vice President, CJ Group, Republic of Korea
  • Linda Yang, Executive Chairperson of Yingke Global Board of Directors, Global Partner, Yinke International, China
  • Shanaaz Preenaz, Group Director on Women Advocacy Mas Holding, Sri Lanka
  • Roland Mollerus, Chief, Secretariat of the Committee for Development Policy, UNDESA

 

14.30-14.45 hrs          Questions and Answers

 

14.45-14.50 hrs          Wrap-up and Closing                                      

 

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