The UN Global Compact Private Sector Forum (PSF), held on September 23, 2025, at the UN Headquarters in New York, has brought together over 50 top executives and representatives from governments, collectively managing more than $2 trillion in market capitalization. This high-level gathering aimed to establish a practical framework for accelerating private sector investment in sustainable and inclusive growth, targeting the financing gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Opening the forum, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgent need for increased funding and implementation of the 2030 Agenda. He cautioned that progress is faltering, with a significant annual shortfall of more than $4 trillion needed to achieve the SDGs. Guterres called on global leaders to shift capital towards priority areas to reignite development efforts.
Participants discussed the UN Global Compact Sustainable Finance Roadmap, which outlines six critical transitions for the real economy: food systems, energy, digital access, education, jobs, and climate and biodiversity. The forum prioritized investment in low- and middle-income countries, where targeted funding can significantly enhance productivity and stimulate growth.
The discussions highlighted the pressing need for substantial, bankable investments in digital infrastructure, energy access, and climate adaptation. Guterres pointed out that failing to act could lead to costs five times greater than those required to limit global warming to 1.5°C. He noted that the economic impact of climate change is already costing approximately $500 billion annually. In contrast, sustainable approaches could unlock $10 trillion in opportunities and generate nearly 400 million jobs by 2030.
With over $200 trillion in private assets globally, the necessary capital exists to drive these initiatives. What is lacking, according to forum participants, is clear policy direction, credible investment pipelines, and collaborative partnerships that can attract investment quickly into the regions that need it most.
This year’s forum marks two significant milestones: the 80th anniversary of the UN and the 25th anniversary of the UN Global Compact, the largest corporate sustainability initiative worldwide. Despite facing various challenges, the sentiment among CEOs regarding sustainability remains robust; 88% of them acknowledge that the business case for sustainable practices has strengthened over the past five years. They also called for more predictable, rules-based markets and coherent standards to facilitate wider action.
As part of the forum’s outcomes, leading business organizations—including the International Chamber of Commerce, the International Organisation of Employers, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development—released a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to an inclusive multilateral system. They welcomed the Pact for the Future’s initiative to deepen engagement with the private sector, underscoring that successful outcomes rely on fostering trust between governments, the UN, and businesses.
Guterres challenged leaders to address several critical questions: how to unlock capital for maximum impact, how to stimulate infrastructure investment in prioritized regions, and how to enhance business efforts in digitalization, energy accessibility, and job creation with more credibility and purpose.
He stated, “We have more than enough capital globally to fund a just transition… but we need greater political will, and bold, accountable leadership from governments and business.”
Next steps from the forum include advancing the Sustainable Finance Roadmap in collaboration with partners, creating standardized investment-ready pipelines for the six identified transitions, and engaging with regulators and market standard-setters to facilitate institutional capital influx. These actions will support the implementation of the Pact for the Future and align with upcoming milestones, including the COP30 and the World Social Summit.
The UN Global Compact aims to accelerate and scale the global impact of businesses by adhering to its Ten Principles and supporting the achievement of the SDGs through responsible corporate practices. With a network of over 20,000 companies across various regions, it stands as a leading force for corporate sustainability worldwide. For more information, visit the UN Global Compact’s website at unglobalcompact.org.
