MULTI-STAKEHOLDER SDG FORUM 2018

On October 18th, 2018, Global Compact Network Lebanon (GCNL) hosted the second annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum under the patronage of Prime Minister Saad Hariri at the Grand Serail. 

This forum was a unique opportunity and platform for all the stakeholders, leaders and individuals representing the public and private sector to promote dialogues related to fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Panelists also discussed how to develop solutions to accelerate the SDGs in Lebanon so the goals are accomplished by 2030. 

The event featured two keynote speakers, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and H.R.H Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

“Goals don’t change the world, people do!”
-Crown Princess Victoria

Wise words from Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria at the Multi-Stakeholder SDG Forum. It was an honor to have this influential guest speaker add knowledge and inspiration to our event.

The event consisted of four panels:

• The first panel was titled SDG Goal Leaders: Exemplary Actions Toward the 2030 Agenda
• The second panel was titled Sustainable Development, Reforms, and Public Good
• The third panel was titled Power and Impact of the Private Sector in Achieving the Social Development Goals (SDGs)
• The fourth panel was titled The Role of Classic and Digital Media in Mainstreaming the Notion of Sustainability

Be sure to keep an eye out for our next annual forum to learn more about the mission of the UN Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Aspirational Remarks:

• H.E. Mr. Saad Hariri, Prime Minister of Lebanon 
• MP Dr. Dima Jamali, President of Global Compact Network Lebanon

Keynote Speakers:

• Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland
• Pernille Dahler Kardel, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon 

Panel 1:

• Mr. Saad Azhari, Chairman of the Board and General Manager, BLOM Bank
• Mrs. May Makhzoumi, President, Makhzoumi Foundation
• Dr. Toni Issa, Vice Chairman, IPT 
• Mr. Marc Audi, General Manager and Board Member, Bank Audi 
• Mr. Marwan Hayek, Chairman and CEO, ALFA
• Mrs. Raya Raphaël Nahas, General Manager and Board Member, Banque Libano-Française 
•  Mr. Anthony Stephan, Chairman and CEO, Cornerstone Development 
• Mr. Mohamad Choucair, Chairman of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Lebanon
• Mr. Nadim Kassar, General Manager, Fransabank
• Khalil Daoud, Chairman and Managing Director, LibanPost 

Panel 2:

• Mr. Saroj Kumar Jha, Regional Director, World Bank
• Mr. Saad Sabra, Lebanon Country Head, International Finance Corporation – IFC, World Bank Group
• Ms. Celine Moyroud, Country Director – UNDP
• Mr. Nadim Mounla, Advisor to the Prime Minister
• Ms. Yasmina El-Khoury Raphael, head of Improving the Business Environment in Lebanon program at the Grand Serail

Panel 3:

• Leong Sze Hian, Chairman, Singapore Professional Centre
• Mr. Neemat Frem, CEO, Indevco 
• Ms. Hala Fadel, co-founder, Leap Ventures
• Mr. Raymond Abou Adal, CEO, Holdal Group 
• Mr. Claude Bahsali, CEO, ITG
• Mr. Sami Nader, Head of Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs

Panel 4:

• Mr. Ragheb Alama, Musical Performer, UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador – West Asia
• Mr. Neshan Der Haroutiounian, Lebanese TV Personality, Television Host and a Producer 
• Ms. Lana El-Sahely, Fashion Blogger
• Ms. Jessy Abou Habib, Head Of Digital Department, LBCI 
• Dr. Angie Kassabie, Diet & Makeover Specialist, and Diet

10:00-10:30: Registration and Refreshments

10:30-11:15: Opening Remarks

• H.E. Mr. Saad Hariri, Prime Minister of Lebanon
• MP Dr. Dima Jamali, President of Global Compact Lebanon

Keynote Speakers:

• Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland
• Pernille Dahler Kardel, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon 

11:15-12:15: SDG Goal Leaders: Exemplary Actions toward 2030 agenda

• SDG 4: Mr. Saad Azhari, Chairman of the Board and General Manager, BLOM Bank
• SDG 5: Mrs. May Makhzoumi, President, Makhzoumi Foundation
• SDG 7: Dr. Toni Issa, Vice Chairman, IPT 
• SDG 8: Mr. Marc Audi, General Manager and Board Member, Bank Audi 
• SDG 9: Mr. Marwan Hayek, Chairman and CEO, ALFA
• SDG 10: Mrs. Raya Raphaël Nahas, General Manager and Board Member, Banque Libano-Française 
• SDG 11: Mr. Anthony Stephan, Chairman and CEO, Cornerstone Development 
• SDG 12: Mr. Mohamad Choucair, Chairman of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Lebanon
• SDG 13: Mr. Nadim Kassar, General Manager, Fransabank
• SDG 17: Khalil Daoud, Chairman and Managing Director, LibanPost 

12:15-1:00: Sustainable Development, Reforms And Public Good 

• Mr. Saroj Kumar Jha, Regional Director, World Bank
• Mr. Saad Sabra, Lebanon Country Head, International Finance Corporation – IFC, World Bank Group
• Ms. Celine Moyroud, Country Director – UNDP
• Mr. Nadim Mounla, Advisor to the Prime Minister
• Ms. Yasmina El-Khoury Raphael, head of Improving the Business Environment in Lebanon program at the Grand Serail

1:00-2:00: Lunch

2:00-2:30: Power And Impact Of The Private Sector In Achieving The SDGs 

• Leong Sze Hian, Chairman, Singapore Professional Centre
• Mr. Neemat Frem, CEO, Indevco 
• Ms. Hala Fadel, co-founder, Leap Ventures
• Mr. Raymond Abou Adal, CEO, Holdal Group 
• Mr. Claude Bahsali, CEO, ITG
• Mr. Sami Nader, Head of Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs

2:30-3:00: Role Of Classical And Digital Media In Mainstreaming The Notion Of Sustainability

• Mr. Ragheb Alama, Musical Performer, UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador – West Asia
• Mr. Neshan Der Haroutiounian, Lebanese TV Personality, Television Host and a Producer 
• Ms. Lana El-Sahely, Fashion Blogger
• Ms. Jessy Abou Habib, Head Of Digital Department, LBCI 
• Dr. Angie Kassabie, Diet & Makeover Specialist, and Diet

This Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. It also seeks to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom.

We recognise that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.

All countries and all stakeholders, acting in collaborative partnership, will implement this plan. We are resolved to free the human race from the tyranny of poverty and want and to heal and secure our planet. We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path.

As we embark on this collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets which we are announcing today demonstrate the scale and ambition of this new universal Agenda. They seek to build on the Millennium Development Goals and complete what these did not achieve. They seek to realize the human rights of all and to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. They are integrated and indivisible and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and environmental.The Goals and targets will stimulate action over the next fifteen years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet:

People

We are determined to end poverty and hunger, in all their forms and dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfill their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.

Planet

We are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations.

Prosperity

We are determined to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature.

Peace

We are determined to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence. There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development.

Partnership

We are determined to mobilize the means required to implement this Agenda through a revitalised Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focussed in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable and with the participation of all countries, all stakeholders and all people.

The interlinkages and integrated nature of the Sustainable Development Goals are of crucial importance in ensuring that the purpose of the new Agenda is realized. If we realize our ambitions across the full extent of the Agenda, the lives of all will be profoundly improved and our world will be transformed for the better.