The Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG-F), created in 2014, were the first mechanism for development cooperation set up by the United Nations specifically to implement its Agenda 2030. In order to include the private sector in this endeavour, through public-private alliances for sustainable development, it set up a Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG), comprising business leaders from large corporations in industries all over the world.

For three years running, both institutions have published various reports analysing the role of the private sector in promoting and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s report: Empresas y ODS 16 contribuir a sociedades más pacíficas, justas e inclusivas, was drawn up by the SDG-F in collaboration with the PSAG, la the University of Pennsylvania Law School with the specialised legal support of the law firm, McWill & Emery. It observes the relevance of the 16 SDGs (peace, justice and sound institutions) for the private sector, and studies how private-sector companies can contribute to achieving peace through initiatives fostering justice and inclusion.  

Behind the report lies a survey of the PSAG companies, focussing on the following areas:

• Contribution of the private sector to Agenda 2030 and the 16 SDOs
• Public-private partnerships
• Legal framework and governance
• Key recommendations

The answers gathered were put together to draw up this guide of best practices, trying to show how an efficient legal framework can help the private sector to generate confidence among the general public. It shows how companies can incorporate the 16 SDGs into their business planning, thereby enhancing elements such as corporate social responsibility, governance, transparency and accountability.  

The report also includes examples of success stories in fighting against corruption, preventively and after the fact. It highlights the work done by several leading companies in Colombia to integrate thousands of small-scale farmers in conflict areas into their supply chain, in order to help create jobs and support the reconciliation initiatives.  Amongst these, Bancamía, the BBVA Microfinance Foundation member in this country, merited special mention for providing financial services to low-income households in zones hit by armed conflict. It has recently taken part in the Macrorrueda para la Reconciliación, a project to raise funding for reconstructing Colombia’s social fabric.