In this year’s Special Edition of the UN Global Compact-Accenture Strategy CEO Study, the world’s largest program of CEO research on sustainability, we focus our attention on goal 17, transforming partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals. Following a decade of research into the views of business leaders worldwide, we examine the views of UN leaders. As the UN Secretary-General calls for enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and the private sector, we ask agency heads and partnership practitioners across the UN system: what will it take to scale up partnerships to bring about transformational impact on the SDGs?
Contributing to SDGs 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), the UN collaborated with scholars and practitioners from a range of fields to explore opportunities to prevent children entering violent non-state armed groups.

Children and Extreme Violence, United Nations University, New York, October 2017. 

Contributing to SDGs 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), the UN collaborated with academics in communications and psychology; practitioners in brand creation, marketing, and cause campaigns; social media experts and practitioners and entertainment content creators to gain a deeper understanding of recruitment typologies, messaging and intergroup competition involving children in the Islamic State.
Focussing on SDGs 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), this research report explores how organized crime and corruption will impact governance in 2050 and what states can – and should – do about it now.
The Business and Sustainable Development Commission’s Executive Summary sets out the challenges faced by business in today’s world, and the opportunities that the SDGs offer for a sustainable and successful business environment. Partnerships forged by business are integral to the success of all SDGs and in particular SDG 17.
The Business and Sustainable Development Commission’s Report identifies the major market opportunities opened up by delivering the SDGs, and the importance of sustainable finance and renewing the social contract. It sets out the key actions for government, business and civil society. Partnerships forged by business are integral to the success of all SDGs and in particular SDG 17.
The Business and Sustainable Development Commission’s Africa Focus Report identifies the major market opportunities Africa, where sustainable business models could open up an economic prize of at least US$1.1 trillion and create over 85 million new jobs by 2030. Partnerships forged by business are integral to the success of all SDGs and in particular SDG 17.
The Business and Sustainable Development Commission’s Asia Focus Report identifies the major market opportunities for sustainable businesses in Asian markets, estimated to be worth US $5 trillion. Key markets are food and agriculture, energy, cities and health – delivering not only benefit to business but to the communities they serve. Partnerships forged by business are integral to the success of all SDGs and in particular SDG 17.
The Business and Sustainable Development Commission’s India Focus Report identifies the major market opportunities India, where sustainable business models could open up an economic prize of at least US$1 trillion in new market value. The report recommends expanded use of blended finance instruments, merging public and private funding which could be the single most important factor in delivering the SDGs. Partnerships forged by business are integral to the success of all SDGs and in particular SDG 17.
This report takes stock of the contribution of UN Global Compact business participants towards sustainable development. The report assesses progress in terms of how companies are taking action on the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals, and features ten interviews with disruptive business leaders. It also highlights ten focus areas for the future where further business engagement is needed.

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