Since the first meeting of Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development, held in 2017, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the United Nations Global Compact have organized an annual SDG Business Forum, which aims to analyse and promote the role of the private sector and public-private collaboration in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 2022 edition of the SDG Business Forum is being organized in collaboration with the Government of Costa Rica, in its capacity as Chair of the Commission and host country of the fifth meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development, and in partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

The effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic have highlighted the importance of multi- stakeholder cooperation in the response to the emergency and in the push for a sustainable recovery. Against this backdrop, the event will seek to generate a dialogue between different public and private sector actors on fostering innovation and technological development capacities to increase public health resilience and to drive forward the inclusive and sustainable recovery of the region in the long term.

Duration: 2.5 hours
Languages: English and Spanish (simultaneous interpretation will be provided)
Organized by: Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Government of Costa Rica, the United Nations Global Compact and the International Chamber of Commerce

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Programme

25 minutes: Opening session
• Alicia Bárcena, Executive Secretary of ECLAC
• Adriana Bolaños Argueta, Deputy Minister for Bilateral Affairs and International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica
• Sanda Ojiambo, Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact (pre-recorded video message)
• María Fernanda Garza, First Vice Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce

1 hour: Panel 1: Innovation and cooperation to increase health resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean

Moderated discussion on the challenges of and requirements for strengthening innovation capacity, regional cooperation and productive linkages in key sectors to improve the region’s health resilience and preparedness for future pandemics.

Moderator: Mario Cimoli, Deputy Executive Secretary of ECLAC

Preliminary list of panellists:
• Daniel Filmus, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Argentina
• Álvaro Soto, General Manager at Roche Central America & Caribbean and Venezuela and President of the Central American and Caribbean Federation of Pharmaceutical Laboratories (Fedefarma)
• Esteban Corley, General Director of mAbxience, Argentina
• Matthew Downham, Director of Manufacturing & Supply Chain Networks, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)
• Olga Sauma, Executive Director of the Business Alliance for Development (AED) of Costa Rica

1 hour: Panel 2: Innovation and cooperation for a sustainable and inclusive recovery in Latin America and the Caribbean 

Moderated discussion on strategies for strengthening economic and social inclusion by promoting innovative sectors that are knowledge-intensive and technologically advanced. The panel will address issues such as capacity-building and digital inclusion among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), increasing gender equality and leveraging technological innovation for sustainable business models.

Moderator: Teresa Moll de Alba, Senior Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Global Compact

Preliminary list of panellists:
• Pilar Garrido Gonzalo, Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy of Costa Rica
• Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir, Director of the Development Centre of the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD)
• Alehira Orozco Reyes, Director of Public Policies and Relations with the Government of Mercado Libre Mexico
• Jimena Del Valle Núñez, Director of Sustainability and the Environment of ENTEL, Chile
• Victoria Alonsopérez, General Manager of Chipsafer, Uruguay

5 minutes: Closing session
• Pilar Garrido Gonzalo, Minister of National Planning and Economic Policy of Costa Rica
• Mario Cimoli, Deputy Executive Secretary of ECLAC