2025 Annual Letter to UN Global Compact Participants from Sanda Ojiambo

Dear Participants of the UN Global Compact,

2025 presents increasingly complex challenges along with growing opportunities for sustainable business.

Last year, more than half the world’s citizens elected political leadership, reshaping the global business landscape, particularly in terms of regulations, trade and investment. Companies face shifting, uncertain operating environments influenced by geopolitical realignments along with economic pressures, technological advancements and resource scarcity.  Moreover, political multipolarities, conflicts, widening inequalities, and the climate crisis impact us all, and impact business, no matter where we are in the world.

These challenges underscore a crucial truth: sustainability is no longer optional but essential for business resilience, competitiveness and long-term success. This shift is evident in the fact that more companies than ever are committing to sustainable, responsible business practices with the UN Global Compact.

25 years in and going strong

In 2000, the late UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan challenged business to work with Governments and civil society to create a more inclusive, ethical global market. And today, our Global Compact of shared values has grown from 50 pioneering companies to over 20,000 participating businesses and nearly 3,000 non-business signatories worldwide, with five regional hubs and 63 Country Networks.

For twenty-five years, our Ten Principles on human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption have helped define corporate responsibility and influence global policy and practice. We engage businesses in country and connect them to policymakers, Governments, the UN and other civil society groups, including academia.

Our programming is informed by ongoing conversations with thousands of business leaders around the world. They tell us that navigating regulations and compliance is an ongoing challenge, particularly for companies that operate in multiple jurisdictions. We also know that companies are facing growing scrutiny and demands from stakeholders, and that transparency and accountability have never been more critical.

Designed to meet these challenges, the frameworks of the UN Global Compact – including the enhanced Communication on Progress (CoP), the new CoP Data Visualization Tool, and our Forward Faster initiative – empower companies to set and deliver on measurable, credible sustainability commitments.

This past year, we also expanded our reach with the launch of new Country Networks in the Caribbean and Ireland, and introduced innovative tools to better guide companies of all sizes on their sustainability journeys. We brought together thousands of leaders at our national, regional and global events, such as our Forward Faster Now events for Asia and Oceania and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Thanks to the valuable contributions of partners and participants, our progress has been remarkable. However, to meet the complex challenges ahead, businesses must not only set ambitious sustainability goals, but also maintain accountability and momentum.

Looking ahead

As we commemorate our 25th anniversary this July, we’ll reflect on our progress and finalize a bold strategy for the next five years.

Our strategic priorities will be shaped by evolving business imperatives, including building resilient markets and supply chains that can withstand political, economic and social shocks. Ethical use of new technologies is also vital for the future of sustainable business. Our GenAi for the Global Goals report outlines ways that artificial intelligence can be used to advance sustainability by enhancing data analysis, efficiency, decision-making and creative problem-solving.

At the same time, we will continue to drive credible action on sustainability through our Forward Faster initiative. Policy advocacy to foster enabling environments for sustainable business remains a cornerstone of Forward Faster. In 2025, this advocacy will focus on ensuring living wages across industries and engaging business in the next wave of national climate plans towards a meaningful contribution at COP30 in Brazil and beyond.

We will expand our presence and impact worldwide, launching new Country Networks and further guiding companies to drive action at the national level. Next year, for example, we will continue to advance Anti-Corruption Collective Action to multiply the impact of individual efforts and avoid the loss of financial resources that could be better spent on the SDGs.

Now more than ever, we need multisectoral, collective business leadership that builds bridges within and beyond sectors – leadership that inspires and unites, even in times of crisis. Towards this goal, our new CEO Agenda will provide business leaders with exclusive insights, strategic foresight and collaborative resources to enact lasting and meaningful change. We will also continue to grow engagement opportunities for C-suite leaders on finance, legal and marketing issues to drive a more integrated approach to sustainability.

Our next planned CEO Study will provide fresh insights ahead of the 80th UN General Assembly, framing discussions at key events, such as the Private Sector Forum, the Leaders Summit, and Unstoppable Africa. Our mission is to remain agile and responsive, strengthening bridges between companies, Governments, and the UN System.

We know that sustainability progress demands consistent action across a broad spectrum of challenges. In 2025, we will continue to advance gender equality, including by fostering male allyship and investing through a gender lens. We will prioritize critical transformations, such as more sustainable food systems and ocean business, as well as just transitions across industries. We will also scale efforts for companies to embed sustainable supply chain and procurement practices, including human rights due diligence and decarbonization.

Reflecting on 2024, I want to recognize the extraordinary efforts of our Board, staff, Country Network colleagues, and participant companies worldwide. Your dedication and innovation drive and sustain the UN Global Compact, even amidst global uncertainties.

In 2025, I call on all participants to accelerate your engagement with our global sustainability movement. This call to action is clear: we must all move forward much faster to meet the pace and scale the future requires. The needs are unprecedented, but so are the opportunities.

Sincerely,

Sanda Ojiambo

CEO and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact

Assistant Secretary-General

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