The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) reported on BP2C’s Dr. Scott Ratzan‘s presentation at the United Nations’ eighth annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum), held in New York May 3-4.
Ratzan made remarks as a lead discussant to support evidence-based policy to solving interconnected and complex challenges society is facing. Ratzan joined other panelists from civil society to speak during the Opening Session of the Forum, “Strengthening Trust in Science and Technology.”
Ratzan’s remarks raised the importance and relevance of several projects led by The USCIB Foundation and its partners around the globe. These initiatives include Business Partners for Sustainable Development (BPSD), Business Partners to CONVINCE (BP2C), the Business Partner Roundtable series and a global BP2C-related campaign, There’s More To Be Done.
BP2C was launched in 2020 at the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) during the height of the pandemic. The goal of the initiative is to engage the private sector and motivate employers to build confidence, vaccine literacy and support the benefit of COVID vaccines.
“Today, we work in partnership along with academics, NGOs and other stakeholders to advance vaccine literacy and to address challenges with misinformation and to cover general vaccines for employers of all sizes,” said Ratzan. “Along with the collaboration of USCIB’s global network—the International Organization of Employers (IOE), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Business at OECD, as well as USCIB member, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the There’s More To Be Done campaign includes advancement of vaccine literacy and uptake and other key areas for employers to integrate in their workplace strategies.
There’s More To Be Done includes Learning Modules and resources promoting the important role of vaccine literacy and other key issues for trustworthy communication and effective COVID recovery.
“We intend to evolve this campaign to advance health and well-being on the planet,” added Ratzan. “At this historical time rebounding from the first pandemic in a century, we need to build support for science, technology and innovation with trustworthy local and global partners. We welcome the opportunity to engage at all levels from global, national, regional to local – to advance the global goals.”
Ratzan also noted that the next Business Partner Roundtable will address infrastructure (SDG 9) and will be held in partnership with the Wilson Center in Washington DC. In the latter part of 2023, there will be a Roundtable on climate change and food security.
“We intend on sharing ideas with the broad UN community and stakeholders throughout the globe as we embrace SDG 17 partnerships for the Goals,” said Ratzan. “All of these multisector activities work to support the mission of the STI Forum.”
The session was moderated by Quarraisha Abdool Karim who is the co-chair of the UN Secretary General’s ten-member group supporting the Technology Facilitation Mechanism.
The theme for this year’s Forum was “Science, technology and innovation for accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.”