UNGC exec urges GCNP to accelerate SDGs

The head of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), a voluntary association of companies and organizations committed to sustainable and socially responsible practices, has urged corporate members in the Philippines to mobilize private financing for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) acceleration.

“To accelerate SDG progress, we need a significant shift in how funding flows, particularly in lower middle-income countries where transitions are urgent and the potential for impact is high,” Tonilyn Lim, UNGC chief of programs, said during the high-level dialogue of the association with the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP) and the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN (PMPUN) on 2 May 2025, at the BPI Townhall in Makati City.

The dialogue marked a pivotal step toward deeper collaboration between the private and public sectors as the GCNP and the PMPUN committed to working closely together to ensure that the key points raised during the session — particularly those related to financing, ecosystem strengthening, and policy engagement — are translated into concrete action in support of the SDGs.

Jesus Enrique Garcia II, minister at the PMPUN, reaffirmed the Philippine government’s partnerships with the private sector, especially in light of the country’s goal of transitioning to Upper Middle-Income Country (UMIC) status by 2026.

“The government supports enabling SDG-aligned businesses to thrive,” he said. “As the Philippines progresses towards UMIC status, we are putting in place the right conditions for purpose-driven companies to grow, not just economically, but sustainably and inclusively,” Garcia said.

“We are proud to stand alongside partners who believe in the power of business to drive sustainable change,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, chief reputation and sustainability officer of Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) and vice president for marketing of the GCNP Board of Trustees. “Our journey continues to be guided by purpose, accountability, and the ambition to create long-term value.”

The in-person dialogue brought together a broad range of Philippine stakeholders, including nonprofit organizations, small and medium enterprises, and some of the country’s largest corporations, for strategic discussions on advancing the SDGs.

Aside from AEV, Ayala Corporation, ASSIST Asia, BPI, Globe Telecom, Goldrich Industrial Packaging Corp, Manila Doctors Hospital, Morination Agricultural Products, Philippine Marketing Association, PLDT Inc., and San Miguel Corporation were present. 

They are among the 65 members of GCNP, the country network of the UNGC. Committed to the Ten UNGC Principles and the 17 SDGs, GCNP fosters collaboration, peer learning, and action on climate and water resilience, gender equality, living wages and sustainable finance.