UN Global Compact: Åpningstale (på engelsk)

Good morning, everyone!
Welcome to Oslo!
I choose goal no 1. End poverty.

One of the interesting things about the sustaiable development goals, is that now it is not only about development contries setting goals. It is not even only about countries. It is about businesses and us as individuals setting goals for ourselves.

«Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable», Dr Martin Luther King stated in a speech four decades ago.

In other words: Human development doesn't happen without an effort. That is why I am happy to be here with all of you this morning: Because each and every one of you, and the businesses you represent, has made a conscious choice to join this forum where you focus on how you can work towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Global Goals require hard, hands on and determined work to be fulfilled. To make this happen, we need to come together, to sit down with each other and make decisions together – like you are gathered here to do. Therefore I want to thank the organizers, and I want to thank all of you who are participating, for being here. I hope you will all be inspired by each other, and contribute individually to make this meeting productive.

So now – when we are all here, I think it is important to ask ourselves why we want all this, why we think this work is important.

In the Human Development Report, which is published annually, I found a quote some years back, which – in my opinion – hits the core:

"All development is ultimately about expanding human potential and enlarging human freedom. It is about people developing the capabilities that empower them to make choices and to lead lives that they value."

In other words, development means freedom to make choises about one's life.

I believe it is important that each business actually trusts that a sustainable business model – which considers both an environmental and social footprint – will also be profitable in the long run.

The greater common good for our planet, for societies and for individuals all around the world is the perspective of the Global Goals. To a larger extent than the previous Millennium Development Goals, they also call for a wider partnership between public and private sector. And we should learn from each other. You in the business sector have a lot to offer in problem solving, measuring progress and efficiency in execution. To name a few examples.

I believe this is key. And I have seen evidence with my own eyes. For 12 years now I have been travelling around the world together with the United Nations Development Programme to study concrete signs of progress working with the goals. The most successful results were by far to be found in countries and communities where public and private sector, civil society and a variety of professionals had managed to form partnerships based on common interest and a greater, common good. And the greatest success has been achieved where the local goals have been concrete. Each and every one has to find out what I, and what my business, can do to contribute.

Because, as Dr King reminds us: “Human progress is not automatic.” It requires efforts from us all.

Thank you all for being here. I wish you two interesting and mutual inspiring days here in Oslo.

Choose your goals and make it happen!