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In 2004, there were 218 million children trapped in child labour, of whom 126 million were in hazardous work. More
MDGs
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
Goal 5: Improve maternal health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development
In today’s interdependent global economy, it makes good business sense for companies to address the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs aim to develop secure, stable and prosperous societies, in which business can flourish. The private sector benefits from the participation of a healthy, educated workforce, and the presence of a solid base of consumers and investors. Also, many of the problems addressed by the MDGs, such as poor health and education, conflict and instability, environmental degradation, and global climate change, can directly increase the costs and risks of undertaking business in developing communities. Failure to address these issues can also lead to short-term and long-term financial risks, market risks, litigation risks and reputation risks. Search this section of the website to learn more about the MDGs and about specific partnerships undertaken by business and the UN to advance work toward these goals.
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"Every Drop Matters" to UNDP and Coca-Cola
In 2006, UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe, the CIS, and The Coca-Cola Company announced a USD 6 million partnership agreement to cooperate on improving access to safe drinking water. Recognising the significant challenges related to water, both the Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) and the United Nations... More
National Cleaner Production Centres bring 'cleaner vision' to the world
Since 1994 UNEP, in partnership with UNIDO and local host organisations, have supported Cleaner Production (CP) policy analysis, training activities, in-plant demonstrations and information networking through the setting-up of a number of National Cleaner Production Centres (NCPC) around the world. More
UNESCO and L'Oréal help hairdressers share about HIV
In 2005, through the initiative of Lady Owen-Jones, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS Prevention Education, UNESCO and L'Oréal created Hairdressers Against AIDS, aimed at raising awareness of HIV by sensitizing hairdressers about HIV and encouraging them to talk about personal risk with their... More
Unilever and WFP have announced a new partnership in the fight against child hunger.
Unilever commits itself to provide expertise in nutrition and health as well as financial support to assist poor families in the developing world. The three-year partnership supports the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, specifically the first: Eradicate extreme... More
UNWTO calls on tourism sector to join UN initiative against poverty
UNWTO joins the United Nations’ initiative “Stand Up, Take Action against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)” and hopes for the support of its public and private stakeholders to spread the message of tourism’s role in support of the MDGs. More
UN private sector focal points meet in Geneva to discuss business partnerships
Close to 80 representatives of UN agencies gathered at Centre International de Conférences (CICG) in Geneva on 2-3 October for the seventh annual conference of UN private sector focal points. Titled “Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Collaboration throughout the Partnership Life Cycle”,... More
International partnerships: FC Barcelona
September 2007 marks the second year of a global alliance between UNICEF and FC Barcelona. The legendary football club made a commitment of €1.5 million per year over five years to benefit children across the developing world affected by HIV/AIDS. Along with the funding, the sports club will... More
Rural Energy Enterprise Development (REED) progamme encourages sustainability
UNEP’s Rural Energy Enterprise Development (REED) progam supports the development of local-level renewables enterprises in Africa, Brazil, China, and India, supporting the development of business plans and finding access to seed capital, with the help of various partners. More
Business coalitions on HIV/AIDS gather in Brazil
On October 6 and 7 2008, UNAIDS and the Brazilian Business Council on HIV-AIDS Prevention (CEN) convened a regional workshop of business coalitions and initiatives from Latin America and the Caribbean in Sao Paulo. More
GeSI works for sustainability in ICT sector
As part of the response to the Milliennium Development Goals, GeSI, the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (www.gesi.org), was born in 2001 to further sustainable development in the ICT sector. GeSI fosters global and open cooperation, informs the public of its members’ voluntary actions to improve... More