Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Mr. Dmitry Chumakov at the meeting of the Group of Friends of the UN Global Compact
Madame Executive Director,
Distinguished colleagues,
I want to thank you for the organization of this important event.
I also would like to congratulate Ms. Sanda Ojiambo with her first participation in the meeting of the Group of Friends of the UN Global Compact.
It is obvious that COVID-19 and its implications on the world economy put at risk the achievements made so far in the implementation of SDG’s and Agenda-2030 as a whole. In these circumstances the solidarity and joint efforts of international community, by all stakeholders are in demand and should reflect the feelings we all share, especially when celebrating the 75thAnniversary of the United Nations.
The role of the private sector and Global Compact in particular as a word wide network of companies remains crucial.
I would like to share some activities of the Russian business as well as emphasize a contribution of the Russian National Global Compact Network.
This year Russia presented its first Voluntary National Review on implementing Agenda-2030. It is important to emphasize that hundreds of the Russian leading companies such as Aeroflot, Bashneft, Gazprom, Eurochem, Inter RAO, Lukoil, Sakhalin Energy, Severstal and many others have made the SDGs achievement an integral part of their development strategies and financial reporting. The Russian Minister of Economic Development Mr. Maxim Reshetnikov underlined that Russian companies were closely involved in following different indicators, implementing new models of production and consumption, integrating standards of responsible business conduct and non-financial disclosure. As an example, the companies as PhosAgro (producer of fertilizers), En+ Group (aluminum giant), ALROSA (diamond industry) and others actively participate in promoting high standards of environmental protection and human rights as well as are involved in the assistance programs for developing countries.
It is also important to note that medium and small enterprises express their interest in the alignment of their activities with the SDG’s principles and integration into the global community efforts.
High social responsibility of the Russian private sector in the COVID-19 period deserves to be specially mentioned. A large number of companies and business leaders on individual basis have provided their contributions to the COVID-19 response. These contributions cover a wide range of efforts: starting from millions of dollars’ financing aimed at the vaccine development, hospitals’ equipment and payments to medical staff and down to catering services and migrants’ support. According to the data of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the total aid delivered by the Russian business during the COVID-19 pandemic (not including the aid in-kind) amounts to more than 500 millions of dollars.
The Global Compact and its national networks, in this regard, provide a unique platform under the UN umbrella where the business leaders are able to meet, to discuss, to exchange experiences and to launch new cooperation models.
The Russian Federation as well our leading companies are ready to get engaged constructively into this process.
Thank you for your attention.
