Businesses have a critical role to play in solving today’s crises, rebuilding trust and building a sustainable future. From climate disruption to widening inequality, the role of the private sector has never been more crucial.

Leaders from across industries and geographies will gather in New York this week to exchange ideas and drive solutions during the 80th United Nations General Assembly.

The CEO Study, co-authored by the UN Global Compact and Accenture, provides readers with a window into the trending topics of effective business from leaders around the world.

As the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) comes to a close, the global community leaves with a renewed sense of urgency and cautious optimism.

The UN Global Compact officially launched the Central Asia Network, marking a pivotal moment for responsible business in the region.

On 11 April, after years of hard work, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) voted to decarbonize global shipping by setting regulations on greenhouse gas emissions.

The gathering focused on the need for land restoration, highlighting the importance of soil health, the increasing risk of drought and the impacts of degraded land on migration, geopolitical tensions and food insecurity.

As the year draws to a close, we reflect on 2024 with gratitude and renewed purpose.

On 28 November, the Global Compact Network Ireland officially launched in Dublin. The launch of the new Network marks a pivotal moment, as it connects Irish businesses to a global movement dedicated to advancing sustainable business practices and aiming to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The urgency is clear: we must act now to bridge the ever-widening climate finance gap, estimated at $4 trillion annually.

This year, at UNGA79, discussions focused on the Pact for the Future, a framework aimed at tackling global challenges like climate action, technological governance and human security​.

COPs, or Conference of the Parties, are the decision-making bodies of international conventions acting as binding agreements between countries.