"Digital Services and Green Transition"

Acting as a side event for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum (September 28 – October 1), the panel on “Digital Services and Green Transition” took place in Geneva on September 29 at 7PM CET. This event brought together leaders in the private sector with representatives from the WTO to discuss how digital services can help in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and what policies are needed to usher in this transition. Panelists explained how digitization is already expanding the possibilities for a green future and suggested steps the WTO can take to help multilateral efforts in the digital/green transition.

This event, which was organized by the Association of French Large Companies (AFEP), ICC France, and the U. S. Council for International Business (USCIB), stimulated powerful discussions about data protection, energy efficiency, and the role of the WTO. ICC France’s Emmanuelle Butaud-Stubbs moderated a productive panel that included Ambassador Manuel Teehankee (the permanent representative of the Philippines to the WTO and chairperson for the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment), Ambassador Tan Hung Seng (the permanent representative of Singapore to the WTO and co-chair of the Joint Statement Initiative on the e-commerce negotiating committee), USCIB’s Brian Lowry, Deputy Director-General of the WTO Jean-Marie Paugam, Sonepar’s Tanguy Griffon, and Representative Director for ICC in Geneva Crispin Conroy. This accomplished panel emphasized that there is hope for the future, but that “the road is still long.”

Based on the panel’s discussion, the private sector has made significant strides in increasing digital efforts to promote more sustainable progress in individual industries. Examples were provided on how the agricultural and energy sectors have used innovations in technology to reduce waste and increase efficiency, such as data collection and analysis on crop yields and estimates of carbon production in construction.

Alternatively, the public sector has been slow in responding to technological developments. The WTO still follows the UN classification system for businesses and technology that was established in the 1990s, making some policies vague and outdated. One suggested solution was to take a more holistic approach to the regulation of goods in order to simplify the process and make it more business friendly.

The panel enabled an open dialogue between the public and private sectors which produced constructive ideas for future development. This multilateral discussion revealed hope for sustainable development and clearly defined a path for achieving a greener globe.

To watch the panel, click here.

“Reinvigorating Inclusive Multilateralism: Business Town Hall”

The 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 76): “Reinvigorating Inclusive Multilateralism: Business Town Hall” took place on September 20th from 1 - 2:30 pm EST. This event brought together industry leaders to discuss routes to achieve the global sustainability agenda, including international cooperation and encouraging the private sector to align with global business and provide solutions using inclusive multilateralism. Speakers also raised questions about the resilience of the United Nations and values of democracy, rule of law, inclusive societies, and the treatment of workers. 

This event, which was organized by the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), Business at OECD (BIAC) and the International Organization of Employers (IOE), was extremely successful in stimulating innovative and productive conversations about the future of government and policy changes surrounding climate change, Covid-19, and multilateralism. USCIB’s Norine Kennedy moderated a thoughtful conversation with Robin Oglivy, the Special Representative and Permanent Observer of OECD to the UN, and Ester Baiget, the CEO of Novozymes and USCIB Trustee Sustainability Champion, who pointed out an unsettling and rather large gap between words and actions regarding policy targeted toward environmental justice. 

The event also highlighted the responsibility companies, citizens, and the government hold, not only to shareholders, but to our communities, future generations, and the planet we live on. Government, businesses, and citizens all have key parts to play in reaching global net-zero goals, reducing mental health related to climate change, achieving and incentivising sustainability, and working toward a cleaner future.

This session included a series of “Fireside Chats,” which featured three priority topics, determined by the General Assembly. USCIB’s Brian Lowry moderated a discussion of climate change which featured Michele Parmelee, the president of the IOE and Deputy CEO and Chief People & Purpose Officer of Deloitte. 

This interdisciplinary discussion also included the topics of human rights and pandemic response and recovery, featuring guest speakers such as USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson, Microsoft Vice President of UN Affairs John Frank, and Dr. Scott Ratzan, the Executive Director of Business Partners for Sustainable Development. These moderated discussions, including esteemed industry leaders and scholars, facilitated conversations about business engagement and innovation in conjunction with this overarching theme of multilateralism and how to promote it.

USCIB Interviews John Frank on Microsoft’s New UN Affairs Office in NY

USCIB member since 1996, Microsoft has recently established a New York office to liaise with the United Nations. Norine Kennedy, who leads USCIB work on strategic international engagement, energy and environment, conducted a (virtual) interview with the head of this new office— John Frank, Vice President for UN Affairs.  Kennedy welcomed Frank to NY and they discussed Microsoft’s strategic vision for an enhanced presence at the UN, and invited his perspective on what American innovation, engagement and sustainability leadership can bring to the international community.

Microsoft’s establishment of a UN Affairs Office to liaise directly with the UN is a unique endeavor.  When discussing the thought process behind this initiative, Frank explained, “Many of the big challenges facing society can only be addressed effectively through multi-stakeholder action,” and highlighted the essential role that multilateral cooperation can have in addressing public health, environmental sustainability, cybersecurity, terrorist content online and  the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.  He noted that the UN General Assembly High Level week brings many stakeholders, including business, to New York but that the work continues after High Level Week.  For this reason, Microsoft decided it was paramount to be in New York year-round.

“Establishing our representation office with people based in New York and Geneva is the next natural step for a company that values multilateralism and multi-stakeholder solutions to global challenges,” Frank continued.

Additionally, Frank and Kennedy discussed the far-reaching impact CVOID-19 has had and Microsoft’s plans to engage the UN in a resilient and sustainable recovery.  Microsoft’s UN Affairs team is focused on supporting and promoting cooperation with the UN to advance progress in six key areas: climate action; human rights; strong institutions; decent work and economic growth; quality education; and broadband availability and accessibility.  Furthermore, Microsoft’s partnerships support the Secretary-General’s plan for a comprehensive UN response to COVID-19 to save lives, protect societies, and recover better.  Microsoft has partnered with the WHO to develop big data solutions that will greatly increase the scientific capacity of WHO to address COVID-19 and future health challenges; increased digital inclusivity by promoting innovative, lower-cost solutions to bring broadband access to rural Africa; partnered with UNICEF and the University of Cambridge in developing a Learning Passport to provide education for internally displaced and refugee children through a digital remote learning platform; and partnered with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Rights View, which helps the Office monitor human rights developments around the world.

When it comes to climate change, Microsoft has decided to go beyond reducing their carbon footprint by reversing their environmental impact, with a focus on carbon, water, biodiversity, and waste. Microsoft helped form the NetZero Coalition to share aspirations and operational experiences so that eventually, small, medium and large size organizations can learn how to implement programs that are economically sound, and ambitiously reduce carbon emissions.

“We seem to be at an inflection point where the weaknesses of our global governance systems have been highlighted, but the reforms have not been elaborated and agreed. The missions of many global institutions are important to the USCIB members, and it’s an opportune time to reimagine how global governance can become more inclusive and effective.”

Frank and Kennedy covered a range of other topics, including the digital economy and cybersecurity.  To read the interview in its entirety, click here.

To visit Microsoft’s UN Affairs microsite, click here.