“We would like to reflect collectively on how Polish companies can contribute to solving global challenges and make a profit at the same time,” added the deputy minister.

The seminar titled “Private sector engagement in development cooperation” was the first debate in Poland devoted to this subject. The event was co-organised by the MFA’s Department of Development Cooperation, the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

During his speech, Deputy Minister Przydacz underlined that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls on all businesses, from micro-enterprises to international corporations, to provide new sources of investment, create new jobs and boost economic growth through innovation. At the same time, the deputy minister stressed the role of countries and public bodies in delivering development assistance. “Governments and public institutions increase the private sector contribution, help manage risk and provide insight into the situation in developing countries,” said the deputy minister. “We try to facilitate the discussion between the public and private sectors and encourage companies to look for new business opportunities,” he added.

The seminar explored global trends in the area of private sector involvement in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The discussions also focused on the ways in which companies can engage in developmental challenges and how public administration can support them. International organisations representatives and donor countries shared their experience in creating tools for engaging business.

The seminar brought together Polish business representatives, experts from international organisations such as the OECD, UNDP, the UNICEF and the EU, as well as government administration officials from the MFA and the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the Sustainable Development Goals) was adopted by all 193 UN member states through General Assembly Resolution on 25 September 2015 in New York. It is a sustainable development programme on a global level. According to the document, contemporary modernisation efforts should focus on eradicating poverty in all its dimensions, at the same time accomplishing a number of economic, social and environmental objectives. The 2030 Agenda alludes to and is largely built on the Millennium Development Goals pursued in 2000-2015. Along with priorities such as health, education, food and food security, the document also sets numerous economic, social and environmental targets. It also suggests the transformation of economies in a manner that allows to lay foundations for a long-term, sustainable growth which promotes the creation of new jobs.

 

MFA Press Office

Photo: Gabriel Piętka / MFA