UN Global Compact Network South Africa to host key Sustainability Leadership Conference in April

The United Nations Global Compact Network South Africa (GCNSA), in partnership with B20 South Africa, will host its flagship Sustainability Leadership Conference in Cape Town on 30 April 2025, coinciding with GCNSA’s 25th anniversary and South Africa’s G20 presidency. The event will convene government leaders, business executives, and global experts to discuss South Africa’s sustainability challenges and explore solutions for economic growth, green innovation, and long-term resilience. Speakers include senior government officials, UN leaders, and CEOs from major South African companies.

The conference comes at a pivotal time, as South Africa faces slow economic growth, regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure constraints, limited green financing options, and ongoing reliance on coal—factors highlighted in GCNSA’s latest Private Sector Voluntary National Review as barriers to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, significant opportunities exist in renewable energy, digital and health technologies, green financing, capacity building, and sustainable infrastructure development.

GCNSA’s executive director, Dr Achieng Ojwang, emphasises that the conference aims to drive meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and action, enabling South Africa to turn these challenges into opportunities and position itself as a competitive, sustainable global player.