WELCOME TO THE VNR
The Global Compact Network South Africa (GCNSA) is actively facilitating the private sector’s review of actions aimed at achieving the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This review serves as a significant contribution to South Africa’s National Report for the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in July 2024, marking the country’s second Voluntary National Review (VNR).
What do I need?
The following tools and documents will support you in your participation process.
How to Register
Information you will need
Please find more useful links to further information about Sustainability Tools at the bottom of this VNR page.
Private Sector Voluntary National Review 2024 Industry and Sector Segmentation
The VNR Objective
Our first Voluntary National Review of action to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals was in 2019. Be part of the private sector input into the South African President’s Report to the UN High Level Political Forum in 2024. Last time the GCNSA platform facilitated a view of the top ten trends within the South African private sector, yielding insights in challenges, emerging frameworks and best practices. This time, we are even more ambitious, seeking to include even more businesses to gain broad-based insights into how the South African private sector is performing against the 2030 Agenda. We want to grow participation and collaboration aimed at delivering the Sustainable Development Goals.
Join us and participate! You will play a vital role in developing success stories that articulate private sector action.
Your role is to bring your energy and leave no-one behind.
The VNR is an opportunity to rapidly advance your company’s sustainability strategy and to grow your personal sustainability frame of reference and
personal expertise. Leverage the opportunity!
What Leaders Have to Say
President’s Address: A Call for Collective Responsibility. Insights from Key Speakers: Compact Dialogue Perspectives
“People can [not] hope to live in comfort and security for as long as millions of others languish in poverty. It is therefore essential that we take collective responsibility for…the improvement of the lives of all people. This responsibility is manifested in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.“
– H.E. Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa,
Address to the UN General Assembly, United Nations, New York, USA
The VNR Business Case
Across sectors, stakeholders are increasingly calling for sustainability. Businesses that align their strategies to sustainable outcomes are performing best, and organisations that authentically value sustainability are attracting and retaining top talent better than companies that don’t.
We asked early participants what they valued about being a part of the Voluntary National Review, and they prioritised the following business case benefits:
Join our VNR Process
Our first Voluntary National Review of action to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals was in 2019. Be part of the private sector input into the
South African President’s Report to the UN High Level Political Forum in 2024.
Who is Participating?
The Global Compact Network South Africa would like to thank Absa for its sponsorship of the voluntary national review:
Our Strategic Partners
The Global Compact Network South Africa would like to thank its strategic partners, who are championing participant within their memberships and networks, and who are contributing valuable research, insights and subject matter expertise.
The VNR Plan
Invitations are now open. Round tables and insights sessions will start from the beginning of July.
The VNR Roles
The Global Compact Network South Africa would like to thank its strategic partners, who are championing participant within their memberships and networks, and who are contributing valuable research, insights and subject matter expertise.
VNR Strategic Partner
- Is a VNR Participant
- Shares Research & Data
- Communicates Frameworks
- Provides Insight
- Shapes Round Table Agendas
VNR Industry Champion
- Is a VNR Participant
- Industry Round Table Leader
- 121 Industry Interview
- Industry Quotation
VNR Priority Champion
- Is a VNR Participant
- Topic Round Table Leader
- 121 Priority Interview
- Priority Topic Quotation
VNR Participant
- Completes Insights Survey
- SDG Success Story
- Round Table Participation
VNR Registration
Information you will need to register:
Be ready to fill in your registration form. You will need to have the following information and permissions from your company to register:
- Know which VNR participant type you want to be
- Have the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) your organisation has prioritised available
- Be ready to choose the priority topic round tables your company would like to attend
- You will also indicate the industry round table deep drive your company will align to
- Have an approved senior leader quotation available to express your Company SDG Ambition
- Have your company’s latest sustainability report or integrated report ready to upload
- Be ready to indicate trade associations, strategic partners or suppliers you would like to participate
- Note that you will need to confirm that you are authorised to register your company
Mandate for Private Sector Participation in
Driving Sustainable Change
“The Global Compact Network South Africa (GCNSA) is partnering with the Department of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DPME) to support the Presidency in effectively communicating South Africa’s inclusive progress in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that drive transformative change outlined in the 2030 Agenda. The report, scheduled to be delivered to the United Nations in New York in September 2024, encompasses the public sector, civil society, and the private sector. The GCNSA takes responsibility for reporting on the private sector.
On behalf of the Presidency, the DPME has posed four key questions:
- How are businesses performing?
- How is the Private Sector collaborating, and what impact does it have?
- How are businesses disclosing and communicating their performance?
- How aligned is the private sector with Sustainable Development Goal priorities?
- This presents an opportunity to create a unified platform that brings businesses together, fostering solidarity and aligning private sector actions with the National Development Plan, other public sector plans, as well as civil society and community initiatives.”
VNR Event Schedule
Please see schedule for the VNR 2023 conference listed below:
| Date | Day | Time | Collaborative & Interactive Virtual Round Table | |||
| South African Private Sector VNR 2024 Official Launch | ||||||
| 18-Aug | Friday | 10am - 12am | Welcome, VNR Synopsis Overview & Participant Onboarding | |||
| The 6 Industry Insights Deep Dive Series | ||||||
| 12-Sep | Tuesday | 9am - 12am | Financial Services | |||
| 14-Sep | Thursday | 9am - 12am | Mining & Natural Resources | |||
| 19-Sep | Tuesday | 9am - 12am | Agriculture, Food Production & Retail | |||
| 21-Sep | Thursday | 9am - 12am | Electricity, Water & Infrastructure | |||
| 26-Sep | Tuesday | 9am - 12am | Communication & Information Technology | |||
| 28-Sep | Thursday | 9am - 12am | Manufacturing & Consumer Goods | |||
| The 10 Priority Topic Round Table Series | ||||||
| 10-Oct | Tuesday | 9am - 12am | Growing Sustainable Investment | |||
| 12-Oct | Thursday | 9am - 12am | A Just Transition To Carbon Neutral | |||
| 17-Oct | Tuesday | 9am - 12am | Solving Our Energy Crisis | |||
| 19-Oct | Thursday | 9am - 12am | Ethical Transformational Governance | |||
| 24-Oct | Tuesday | 9am - 12am | Effective Public Private-Sector Collaboration | |||
| 26-Oct | Thursday | 9am - 12am | Synergies With Civil Society & Community | |||
| 31-Oct | Tuesday | 9am - 12am | Impact & Opportunity Post Pandemic | |||
| 02-Nov | Thursday | 9am - 12am | Building Global Supply Chain Resilience | |||
| 07-Nov | Tuesday | 9am - 12am | Empowering Women To Achieve Gender Equality | |||
| 09-Nov | Thursday | 9am - 12am | Leveraging Sustainability Frameworks | |||
The VNR Participant Briefing
We have consulted with the National Planning Commission to define a VNR reporting methodology, which we have baselined our private sector VNR Synopsis on. This VNR Synopsis will then guide the structure of the full report. The final private sector VNR report may be adjusted based upon the insights emerging from the analysis.
VNR Support & Points of Contact
If you need help, we are here to guide you. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions regarding the private sector Voluntary National Review 2024:
Global Compact Network South Africa Website:
VNR Registration Form:
VNR Support Email Address:
VNR Contact Number:
011 771 4142
VNR Role Players
GCNSA Executive Director:
Dr Achieng Ojwang
VNR Silver & GCNSA Membership Enquiries:
Rethabile Mbokodi
VNR Project Manager:
Chloe Cormack
VNR Social Media Engagement:
Sifiso Nkosi
Note that Empanda, a member of the GCNSA, is acting as the private sector VNR Facilitator and is responsible for production of our VNR Report. Contact from Empanda should be expected by participants in the Voluntary National Review process. You can find out more about Empanda at www.empanda.co.za
VNR Resources
The following links to resources are here to help you, especially if you and your organisation are new to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals:
Blueprint for Business Leadership on the SDGs
A useful guide to the Sustainable Development Goals and how they are applied in business.
The United Nations Global Compact Website
The website for the United Nations Global Compact has information about the 2030 Agenda with many helpful resources.
The South African National Development Plan 2030
The NDP details the South African public sector sustainability plans, aligning with the 2030 Agenda.
GCNSA Programme of Events
VNR Participant Role & Expectations
Participation in the Voluntary National Review process for the private sector is free, thanks to the sponsorship of Absa, who are the gold sponsor for this initiative. Thanks also go to Anglo American who are a silver sponsor. We are funded to proceed, however further companies that are interested in becoming silver sponsors can reach out to us. You will then also benefit from the Qualitative Interview and a Company video animation, which are costly to produce.
Please note that we have worked to design a participation process that maximises insight, whilst minimising time-consuming effort. That said, when you sign up to participate, we strongly encourage you to help us to report successfully:
5 VNR Participation Commitments:
The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact
We have consulted with the National Planning Commission to define a VNR reporting methodology, which we have baselined our private sector VNR Synopsis on. This VNR Synopsis will then guide the structure of the full report. The final private sector VNR report may be adjusted based upon the insights emerging from the analysis.
HUMAN RIGHTS
1. Business should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
2. Make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
LABOUR
3. Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
4. The elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
5. The effective abolition of child labour; and
6. The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
ENVIRONMENT
7. Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
8. Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
9. Encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
ANTI-CORRUPTION
10. Business should work against corruption in all its forums, including extortion and bribery.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN VOLUNTARY NATIONAL REVIEW 2019
The GCNSA has facilitated a private sector review of action to deliver the 2030 agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, as a contribution to the National Report tothe United Nations High Level Political Forum on the 17th July 2019.
VIEW PREVIOUS REPORT
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the questions that prospective participants are asking. If you have any further questions, then please do let us know.
What is the United Nations Global Compact?
The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative with 13,000 corporate participants and other stakeholders across 170 countries with two objectives: “Mainstream the Ten Principles in business activities around the world” and “Catalyse actions in support of broader UN goals, such as the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. You can find out more at the website: https://www.unglobalcompact.org
What is the Global Compact Network South Africa (GCNSA)?
The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative with 13,000 corporate participants and other stakeholders across 170 countries with two objectives: “Mainstream the ten principles in business activities around the world” and “Catalyse actions in support of broader UN goals, such as the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. You can find out more at the website: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/
What is the 2030 Agenda?
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was launched by a UN Summit in New York on 25-27 September 2015 and is aimed at ending poverty in all its forms. The UN 2030 Agenda envisages “a world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination”. You can find out more at the website: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld
What are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals?
Achieving all 169 targets would signal accomplishing all 17 goals. The SDGs cover social and economic development issues including poverty, hunger, health, education, global warming, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, urbanization, environment and social justice. You can find out more at the website: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300
What are the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact?
The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. Corporate sustainability starts with a company’s value system and a principles-based approach to doing business. This means operating in ways that, at a minimum, meet fundamental responsibilities in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. You can find out more at the website: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld
Who is participating in the process?
The DPME approved that the GCN SA would be the private sector faciltitator of the VNR process in December 2019. In January 2019, the inaugural VNR Champions Round Table was convened to mobilise and process. This round table was attended by the following organisations: ABB Group, ABSA, Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), JSE, Narrative Labs, the National Business Initiative (NBI), Old Mutual, SAPPI, Sasol, Scatec Solar, Shared Value Africa Initiative, UN Human Rights Commission, and the UNFPA. Since then, further organisations have committed to participation. For information about the GCN SA membership, please visit our website: https://globalcompactsa.org.za/
Who do I contact for more information?
Please contact Dr Achieng Ojwang, Executive Director of the GCN SA for further information about the VNR: achiengo@globalcompactsa.org.za
What is a Voluntary National Review (VNR)?
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development encourages member states to conduct regular and inclusive reviews of progress, which are country-led and country-driven. These national reviews serve as a basis for the regular reviews at the UN Economic and Social Council. Reviews are voluntary, state-led, undertaken by both developed and developing countries, and involve multiple stakeholders. It will be the first time that South Africa has undertaken a Voluntary National Review.
Does participation in the South African VNR have a cost?
There is a participation cost of R50,000 in order to fund the cost of reporting and the production of individual and consolidated outputs. The fee also includes the cost of events and webinars. Bigger organisations are offering to sponsor smaller businesses that form part of their ecosystem, to ensure well rounded participation of companies of different sizes. Additionally, further avenues of funding are being investigated. There are options for organisations to contribute subject matter expertise, tools and other services.
What does my business get for participating?
Participation in the reporting process will give your organisation access to the VNR collaboration platform and process which will deliver an individual report, as well as input to the consolidated VNR report. CEO and leader quotations will be utilised in awareness communications about the South African transformation work associated with the 2030 Agenda. Additionally, each participant will input to and receive a 3-minute UN Global Compact branded case study about the positive impact it is making. These will be hosted on the GCN SA website and can be shared on social media and company websites. The fee also includes 3 key events during the process, and access to webinars and virtual forums that arise as a part of the 2030 Agenda. Most importantly, participation is the opportunity to collaborate with key private and public sector stakeholders on priorities for the South African National Development Plan and other initiatives designed to transform and innovate South Africa. These agendas are critical to showcasing South Africa as a country with a prioritised plan for overcoming the challenges of today to ensure growth and a better future.
Why should our business sponsor participation of a smaller business?
South Africa is unique in a global context because of its commitment to broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE). Stakeholders in the domestic and international community are largely unaware of the work being done in the private sector to accelerate transformation due to poor reporting and compliance. The VNR process is designed to tell a story, rather than report on numbers, and is an opportunity to demonstrate how larger organisations are investing in suppliers, economic development and socio-economic initiatives. Champion participants have indicated that there is a strong case for making the positive contributions of South African business more transparent. By including companies from your business ecosystem, further richer case studies can be exposed, demonstrating the dynamics of transformation, providing role model examples for positive change.
Can my business play a role in facilitating or adding value to the process?
There are many organisations that have capabilities, processes and tools that can accelerate sustainable development in other businesses, making transformation and sustainability easier for new adopters. Additionally, there are many organisations that offer services in the sustainability space. The VNR is an opportunity to highlight and share existing capabilities and service offerings, creating a marketplace. If your organisation would like to contribute that would enrich the process, please let us know.
How has the reporting process been designed?
The baselined reporting process was designed based on the vision of the DPME for a best practice reporting methodology that is inclusive of all sectors and stakeholders. Best practice global reports were analysed into a prototype methodology which is currently under testing with Champion participants who are piloting the process to ensure it is practical, effective and in line with the objectives and aim of the VNR initiative.
