UN Summit: Corporate Interests Undermine SDG Progress, Says Civil Society

A global coalition of 266 civil society organizations, led by The Healthy Real Initiative for Valued Entrepreneurship (THRive), has urged the United Nations to strengthen accountability measures to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

They called for transparency, independent funding for NGOs, and greater public access to key negotiations.

Bill Jeffery, Executive Director of the Centre for Health Science and Law, made the call in a joint statement on the sideline at the UN Summit of the Future, warning that corporate interests, particularly from harmful industries, undermine government regulations.

He emphasized the need for a lobbyist registry, conflict-of-interest safeguards, and SDG-impact warning labels on products.

Specifically, he called on member states to prioritize transparency and provide non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with the resources needed to effectively monitor SDG implementation.

Jeffery, warned of the undue influence wielded by corporate interests, particularly from the food specifically, alcohol, tobacco, and fossil fuel industries, which often weaken government regulations.

“It is no surprise that companies selling harmful products exert pressure to dilute regulations that serve the public interest,” Jeffery said.

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“This influence is largely hidden, with the UN lacking essential transparency tools such as a lobbyist registry, access to information guarantees, or robust conflict-of-interest safeguards.”

Jeffery also pointed out that public interest groups and experts are frequently excluded from critical negotiations, including those on the Pact for the Future, which has stalled meaningful progress on the SDGs.

“The exclusion of civil society from these discussions has been a significant barrier to achieving the targets,” he added.

The joint statement from the coalition calls for independent funding to be provided to NGOs and experts, allowing them to scrutinize and report on SDG outcomes.

“Without adequate funding, NGOs are severely limited in holding governments accountable,” Jeffery stated, emphasizing that short-term, discretionary funding arrangements often discourage critical oversight.

The coalition’s appeal highlights the need for greater transparency, especially concerning industries contributing to environmental and health crises.

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“The environmental and human health damage caused by these products far exceeds their purchase price, with the collective harm amounting to roughly half of the US$60 trillion global economy,” Jeffery noted.

The UN Summit, hosted in New York, has brought together world leaders, civil society representatives, and experts, aiming to reignite global commitment to the SDGs, which have seen slow progress since their adoption in 2015.

The coalition has proposed the adoption of a Code-of-Conduct for engaging civil society, including conflict-of-interest safeguards, a UN lobbying registry, and greater public access to key negotiations.

Among the coalition’s recommendations is the enforcement of SDG-impact warning labels on products such as food, alcohol, tobacco, and fossil fuels, which account for a significant portion of global commercial activity but contribute heavily to environmental degradation and public health crises. These industries, according to the statement, externalize trillions of dollars in damages, contributing to half of all global deaths.

Jeffery also highlighted the failure of wealthier nations to meet their Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitments.

“The promise to raise ODA to 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) has gone unmet for decades. While some high-income countries nearly doubled their national budgets to tackle COVID-19, ODA contributions increased only slightly, to 0.37% of GNI,” he remarked.

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The civil society groups advocate for the establishment of independent NGO-SDG advocates, appointed at arm’s length by judges or parliamentary officers, to ensure impartial oversight of SDG progress until 2030. Jeffery stressed that independent funding is crucial to maintaining the impartiality of these advocates, warning against the dangers of relying on discretionary grants from governments or companies they are tasked with holding accountable.

Reacting to the global call for action, Emmanuel Enebeli, Executive Director of THRive, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “With time running out, it is critical that the UN takes these steps to ensure we meet the objectives of the SDGs,” Enebeli said.

THRive, a Nigerian NGO registered in Delta State, focuses on empowering Nigerians through skill training to contribute to sustainable development.