Metro Manila – A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines was signed by PCCI President Consul Enunina Mangio and UNDP Philippines Deputy Resident Representative Edwine Carrié during the 50th Philippine Business Conference and Expo. The event was attended by more than a thousand participants from the private sector and partners. 

The MoU will strengthen the longstanding collaboration between PCCI and UNDP Philippines in promoting awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and other development initiatives to the PCCI members and the private sector at large. 

In 2015, the UN member states adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with the aim of creating a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world by 2030. The private sector plays a vital role in the path towards transformational change because sustainable development can only be achieved through multi-stakeholder collaboration.

In his message, UNDP Philippines Deputy Resident Representative Mr. Carrié highlighted that  UNDP “…strongly believes that the private sector plays a pivotal role in accelerating progress towards the SDGs in the Philippines. The business case for the SDGs is well-established and compelling. We see the SDGs unlocking new opportunities and driving significant efficiency gains through innovation. Embracing the SDGs is not only the path to economic growth but also to long-term business sustainability. We look forward to working with you, our partners in the private sector. It is our hope that this partnership with PCCI will drive greater interest and business alignment with the SDGs." 

Globally, UNDP’s strategy for private sector engagement is to make markets work for the SDGs by assisting countries in aligning private sector activities and investments with the 2030 Agenda. The vision is to make the SDG framework as the business sector's guiding principle for their strategies and operations

PCCI President Consul Enunina Mangio noted that through the partnership, PCCI aims “…to empower businesses to take a more active role in achieving the SDGs, ensuring that industries across the Philippines contribute meaningfully to inclusive growth, sustainable practices, and the improvement of livelihoods across all sectors. Our collaboration will focus on harnessing innovation, mobilizing resources, and supporting policy frameworks that encourage businesses to adopt sustainable practices.”

The MoU will strengthen PCCI and UNDP’s collaboration in 4 areas. First, collaborating on SDG initiatives, including building awareness, increasing knowledge, and developing uptake for action on the SDGs. They will also co-design and jointly implement SDG activities including capacity building and advocacy with the private sector, especially medium, small, micro enterprises (MSMEs). 

In close collaboration with the Philippine government, the two organizations will undertake technical collaboration to support SDG monitoring and reporting, especially for PCCI members, in concretely measuring and monitoring their impact relative to the metrics for SDGs. PCCI and UNDP will also support strengthening of the SDG data ecosystem in the country, including platforms involving the private sector to effectively report contributions to the SDGs.

PCCI and UNDP previously signed a Statement of Intent during the launch of the Philippine SDG Investor Map in the SDG Investment Forum last March 2024, which brought together key private sector stakeholders, government partners, and civil society representatives. [E]