Getting Private Sector Engagement on the Right Track: Four Essential Ingredients

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By Andrew C. Wilson, Executive Director, and Kim Eric Bettcher, Director, Knowledge Management, Center for International Private Enterprise


To learn more about this timely topic explored during
the
Private Finance for Sustainable Development Week,
please visit the PF4SD and GPEDC websites.


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 The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) engages President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, in pursuit of an enabling business environment in Kenya.

Developing countries face complex challenges that require solutions from a strong private sector in partnership with government and society. Many in international development are actively contemplating how to move such partnerships forward. Notably, USAID issued a new Private Sector Engagement Policy to “embrace market-based approaches as a more sustainable way to support communities in achieving development and humanitarian outcomes at scale.” As part of Private Finance for Sustainable Development Week, the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC) is hosting a Specialised Policy Dialogue on Private Sector Engagement through Development Co-operation, which will identify actions to scale up private-sector partnerships in ways that effectively use public resources and attract business investments to create shared value.

Business is now starting to make its mark on the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) with innovative initiatives for clean energy, water stewardship and green cities, to name a few. Around 80% of United Nations Global Compact companies are acting on the Global Goals. Business has already been an integral part of past development successes, driving economic growth and creating nine out of ten jobs. Still, the current trajectory is not adequate. The business sector has more to do to fulfill its potential as a responsible investor in emerging markets and an effective partner with the development community.

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Recreating effective development co-operation – does it matter?

By Isabella Lövin, Minister for International Development Co-operation and Climate and Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden

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I am going to Nairobi to attend the second high-level meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation. This meeting comes at a critical time, as we are facing more serious development challenges than ever before. A growing number of conflicts are becoming increasingly deadly and protracted. The number of forcibly displaced people and refugees are higher than ever. Climate change threatens to undermine the progresses we made and is in the end a threat to our very existence. I was recently in Marrakesh at the COP22. While international commitment is strong to push the implementation of the Paris Agreement, we have a long way to go.
Continue reading “Recreating effective development co-operation – does it matter?”