UN Global Compact Launches Central Asia Network to Drive SDG Progress
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 19, 2025 /CNW/ -- The UN Global Compact announced the official launch of its new Country Network for Central Asia yesterday in Kazakhstan, a multi-country office that will serve Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. This landmark initiative will connect more than 140 participant companies in the region with the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, equipping them with the tools, resources and framework needed to advance sustainable business practices and align with the Sustainable Development Goals.
"Central Asia sits at a strategic crossroads between Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and is entering a period of rapid economic and political transformation," said Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. "By launching a Country Network here, we are anchoring responsible investment and sustainability into this dynamic corridor, and harnessing the region's untapped private-sector potential to drive green growth, improve transparency and foster social cohesion."
Until now, efforts in sustainability, corporate governance and SDG implementation have largely operated in silos across the five countries. The Central Asia Network will establish a cross-border platform that advances the modernization agenda of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazahstan, by accelerating the green-economy transition, enhancing business transparency, and promoting accountable foreign investment — ensuring private-sector initiatives deliver tangible impact. With over 60 percent of the population under the age of 30, the Network will also serve as a vital bridge between global standards and the aspirations of local entrepreneurs, women-led enterprises and next-generation leaders.
"At this pivotal moment, businesses in Central Asia must seize the first-mover advantage to set their own sustainability agenda," said Dinara Seijaparova, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Central Asia Network. "The UN Global Compact will convene government, business and civil society across Central Asia to build trust, foster cross-border partnerships and unlock billions in investment for the SDGs — ensuring that economic growth goes hand-in-hand with social inclusion and environmental resilience."
The launch of the Central Asia Country Network reflects the UN Global Compact's commitment to regional empowerment and localized implementation of global agendas, in line with ongoing UN reform priorities. It follows the establishment of two new Country Networks in 2024 and brings the total number of Country Networks worldwide to 64.
Notes to Editors
The ambition of the UN Global Compact is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the SDGs through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 20,000 participating companies, 5 Regional Hubs, 64 Country Networks covering 85 countries and 9 Country Managers establishing Networks in 16 other countries, the UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative — one Global Compact uniting business for a better world. For more information, follow @globalcompact on social media and visit our website at unglobalcompact.org.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
31 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
Taxpayers' Ombudsperson releases his fifth and final annual report Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada's Taxpayers' Ombudsperson, Mr. François Boileau, has released his annual report, Clearing the Path, which was tabled today in the House of Commons. The report provides an overview of the activities of the Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson (OTO) between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. The report details how the OTO influenced service improvements at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) by reviewing service issues and complaints. It also includes two recommendations to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and the Chair of the CRA's Board of Management to improve the CRA's service to Canadians. During the last fiscal year, the OTO released two systemic examination reports: Unintended Consequences, about the CRA's administration of the 2023 bare trust filing requirements, and Timing Is Everything, about issues that may be causing delays in Canada child benefit (CCB) payments for temporary residents. Between these two reports, we made 16 recommendations, and the CRA accepted 13 of them. As this is the final year of Mr. Boileau's five-year mandate, the annual report also includes a chapter about his views on improving the CRA's services for vulnerable and hard–to-reach populations. This chapter analyzes the CRA's efforts to make sure these populations get the benefits and credits they are entitled to. It looks at the CRA's existing programs, including the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program (in Quebec) and SimpleFile, and discusses how they could be improved to better meet Canadians' needs. 2024–2025 report highlights: The Taxpayers' Ombudsperson recommends: (…) that the CRA perform a comprehensive review of its content on including its web page architecture and content, to remove redundant information and to make sure the information it provides is relevant, clear, concise and easy to find. It should complete this review by spring 2026 and start implementing changes by fall 2026. (…) that the CRA provide a permanently funded grant program for organizations participating in the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program and the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program to support their free tax clinics for eligible taxpayers and help them offset their operating costs. Trends in complaints Contact centres: The top trend relates to issues with the information provided by contact centre agents. Many taxpayers who were able to reach the CRA's contact centres claimed that agents provided them with incomplete, inaccurate, or unclear information, while others were unable to even reach an agent because the wait times were too long or they could not get into the queue. Income tax and benefit return processing and adjustments: Many complainants claimed that there were delays in processing returns beyond the CRA's published service standard; however, it is important to note that the CRA's service standard applies to returns received on or before filing due dates. As well, the standard excludes returns filed for deceased, bankruptcy, international and non-resident individuals as well as emigrants. It also does not apply in situations where returns are filed for multiple tax years or when the CRA has to contact the taxpayers for more information. Collection action: These complaints claimed the CRA did not consider the taxpayer's personal circumstances when taking collection action, and in some cases the taxpayer claimed that the collection action put them in financial hardship. CCB: Many complainants said that the CRA's review of their eligibility for the CCB put a burden on them. The CRA told them that the information they provided was not sufficient, even if they provided most of what was requested. They claimed that the CRA did not clearly inform them why what they provided was not sufficient and why additional documents were required. The CRA's Service Feedback Program: These complainants said that the CRA's Service Feedback Program did not respond to their complaint within its published service standard. Background information The Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson works independently from the CRA. Canadians can submit complaints to the Office if they feel they are not receiving the appropriate service from the CRA. Our main objective is to improve the service the CRA provides to taxpayers and benefit recipients by reviewing individual service complaints and service issues that affect more than one person or a segment of the population. The Taxpayers' Ombudsperson assists, advises and informs the Minister of Finance and National Revenue about matters relating to services provided by the CRA. The Ombudsperson ensures, in particular, that the CRA respects eight of the service rights outlined in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Quote "I am especially proud of the work we have done to improve the CRA's services for the most vulnerable. The dual nature of the CRA's work is not well known, aside from its role as tax collector. The second, lesser-known role is to administer benefit and credit programs that can be crucially important to a large segment of the Canadian population. However, when the most vulnerable do not file, they will not receive what they're entitled to, which has a profound effect on not only them, but also our society as a whole." Links Follow Us Follow us on X: @OTO_Canada Like us on Facebook: @TaxpayersOmbudsperson Subscribe to our electronic mailing list Add our RSS feed to your feed reader Visit our website SOURCE Office of the Taxpayers' Ombudsperson
Cision Canada
4 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Protecting Canadian Labour: Replacement Workers Legislation now in Force
GATINEAU, QC, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - As of today, Bill C-58, An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Industrial Relations Board Regulations, 2012, came into force. This legislation strengthens protections for Canadian workers – because they are the foundation of Canada's ambition. What we heard is that the use of replacement workers compromises the fundamental right to strike; it can tip the scales, derail good faith bargaining, and heighten tensions. That is why the Government of Canada introduced and passed Bill C-58. Starting today, the use of replacement workers to do the work of unionized employees who are on strike or locked out is prohibited in federally regulated workplaces, allowing parties to stay focused on reaching fair, negotiated deals. Changes have also been made to improve the maintenance of activities process. Employers and unions must now come to an agreement within 15 days after notice to bargain is issued to determine what work needs to continue to protect the health and safety of the public during a work stoppage. If they cannot agree, the Canada Industrial Relations Board will decide what activities need to be maintained, if any. A strong economy depends on stable labour relations. These amendments to the Canada Labour Code will improve labour relations, protect workers' right to strike, limit interruptions to collective bargaining and provide greater stability to the economy during federal labour disputes. At the heart of the Government's vision is collaboration – and we thank the unions, stakeholders, workers and partners for their work on this bill – to make sure Canada has the skilled talent and support to meet the needs of this critical moment. Quotes "Banning the use of replacement workers in federally regulated sectors during strikes or lockouts is a major win for workers' rights, collective bargaining, and fairness. This is a historic victory after decades of union advocacy and paves the way for more stable, respectful labour relations in Canada." – Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario "The Canadian labour movement has been asking for this for a long time. The use of replacement workers during federal strikes and lockouts is officially prohibited. This marks a milestone that levels the playing field and ensures parties work towards getting a fair deal at the bargaining table." – John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour) Quick facts The legislation was developed through extensive consultations with unions and employers and received support in Parliament. From 1999 to 2025, a limited prohibition on replacement workers was in place. Prior to 1999, employers were not prohibited in any way from using replacement workers during a strike or lockout. The ban on replacement workers applies to any strike or lockout ongoing on or after June 20, 2025, and the new maintenance of activities requirements apply to any collective bargaining process for which notice to bargain is given on or after June 20, 2025. Exceptions may apply in situations where there are health and safety threats that cannot be managed by the employer's existing workforce. A union or an employee who believes that an employer is violating this ban can file a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), which will investigate the issue. The CIRB is the independent administrative tribunal that resolves workplace disputes and certain appeals that arise under the Canada Labour Code. SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
Cision Canada
4 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Sun Life Reports Results of Conversion Privilege of Class A Non-Cumulative Rate Reset Preferred Shares Series 8R and Class A Non-Cumulative Floating Rate Preferred Shares Series 9QR Français
TORONTO, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) today announced that 1,400 of its 6,217,331 Class A Non-cumulative Rate Reset Preferred Shares Series 8R (the "Series 8R Shares") have been elected for conversion on June 30, 2025, on a one-for-one basis, into Class A Non-cumulative Floating Rate Preferred Shares Series 9QR (the "Series 9QR Shares"), and 2,664,916 of its 4,982,669 Series 9QR Shares have been elected for conversion on June 30, 2025 on a one-for-one basis into Series 8R Shares. Consequently, on June 30, 2025, Sun Life will have 8,880,847 Series 8R Shares and 2,319,153 Series 9QR Shares issued and outstanding. The Series 8R Shares and Series 9QR Shares will be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols and respectively. Subject to regulatory approval, Sun Life may redeem all or any part of the outstanding Series 8R Shares, at Sun Life's option, by the payment of an amount in cash for each share so redeemed of $25.00, together with all declared and unpaid dividends to the date fixed for redemption, on June 30, 2030 and on June 30 every five years thereafter. Subject to regulatory approval, Sun Life may redeem all or any part of the then outstanding Series 9QR Shares, at Sun Life's option, by the payment of an amount in cash for each share so redeemed of (i) $25.00, together with all declared and unpaid dividends to the date fixed for redemption in the case of redemptions on June 30, 2030 and on June 30 every five years thereafter, or (ii) $25.50, together with all declared and unpaid dividends to the date fixed for redemption in the case of redemptions on any other date. The Series 8R Shares and the Series 9QR Shares have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and subject to certain exceptions, may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in the United States of America for the account or benefit of U.S. persons. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy such securities in the United States. About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2025, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.55 trillion. For more information, please visit Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.
