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Abuja: "Neither business nor government
can achieve sustainable development alone. This
can only be accomplished through partnership."
Dr Mohan Kaul, Chairman of the Commonwealth Business
Council, was speaking at the conclusion of the
largest conference on sustainable development
since the World Summit in 2002, and the largest
Commonwealth business event ever. Over 700 business
and government leaders from 34 countries participated.
The focus of the Commonwealth Business Forum
was not on what or why, but making things happen.
"Sustainable development is becoming
a way of thinking and doing business," said
Dr Kaul. "Business views it as meaning profitability,
environmental sensitivity, and the ability to
address wider societal needs. The private sector
acknowledges that it needs to act faster to respond
to these new demands, and raise standards of corporate
citizenship accordingly. The concept is gaining
wider understanding and acceptance, and many business
leaders spend increasing amounts of time in embedding
this new approach within their companies.
"In this spirit, the Commonwealth Business
Council is requesting Heads of Government to give
consideration to the following practical recommendations
for achieving sustainable development:
1. Remove obstacles to wealth and job creation:
cut red tape and get the environment right for
wealth and job creation.
2. Endorse a Joint Action Plan for Enabling Corporate
Citizenship for Sustainable Development and support
implementation of the plan at national level.
3. Support common standards on accountability
amongst governments, business and civil society,
and encourage wide dissemination of these principles.
4. Revive commitment to multilateral trade negotiations
as the most effective way to ensure the progressive
liberalisation of trade in goods and services
as per the Doha development agenda."
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TOP EVENTS: Commonwealth Business Forum