Doha: Chief of Programs at the UN Global Compact Office Tonilyn Lim stated that the Doha Political Declaration represents a strong commitment to social development, inclusion, and human rights, and provides a much-needed boost toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Speaking at the Private Sector Forum titled "Business For Social Development: Building Inclusive Futures," held as part of the Second Global Summit on Social Development currently underway in Doha, Lim emphasized that the corporate sustainability landscape today is vastly different from when its foundations were first laid.
According to Qatar News Agency, Lim noted that the forum highlights the critical role of businesses in sustainability and encourages partnerships to address challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, policy regressions, resistance to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks, and trade tariffs. Despite these challenges, she continued, companies around the world continue to create jobs, address workplace inequality, rebuild skills, and promote lifelong learning, demonstrating their vital role as engines of social development.
Businesses are proactively tackling the socio-economic challenges linked to energy transition and digital transformation, achieving greater impact through supportive policies and innovative financial tools. Lim affirmed that as the world of work evolves, companies are also adapting to technology, leveraging essential human skills, responding to shifting employee values, and meeting growing consumer demand for responsible production and consumption. She said they encourage visibility of these actions and the continued pursuit of solutions to stay on the path of sustainability.
She pointed out that global CEOs plan to maintain or increase their ESG commitments, according to studies conducted by the Global Compact Office. Most CEOs now see a stronger business case for sustainability than they did five years ago, and believe future leaders should prioritize speaking out on social issues. Lim revealed that over 2,300 companies have pledged bold action under the Global Compact's "Forward Faster" initiative, focusing on climate action, gender equality, living wages, water resilience, sustainable finance, and accelerating progress on the SDGs.
These commitments are not just ink on paper, she stressed, they reflect a fundamental shift in how companies view their purpose and responsibility within society, amid a dynamic regulatory landscape and growing scrutiny. Businesses continue to advance sustainability with quiet pragmatism, seeking multilateral partnerships to maintain credibility and momentum.