Padma Bhushan Dr Kirit Parikh made a pitch for Sustainable Development Goals in his keynote address at the 9^th Subir Raha Memorial Lecture jointly organized by Global Compact Network India (GCNI) and ONGC at ONGC Corporate office, New Delhi on 5^th July 2019. The theme of the keynote address was “How can corporate organizations help achieve Sustainable Development Goals”.

In his address, Dr Parikh delved into the pivotal role the corporates can play to achieve Sustainable Development Goals identified by the United Nations. He opined that the corporations can help in sustainable development in many ways. “While CSR activities can address SDG goals directly, their production methods and processes can make large contributions to sustainable development”, he said.

“Corporates have unique advantages of resources of finance and skilled manpower, which can not only help plan the interventions better but also implement them effectively. Also, they can think out of the box, innovate and avoid bureaucratic inefficiencies and delays”, he further explained. Dr Parikh also had a detailed question and answer session with the audience members.

In his welcome address, Mr Shashi Shanker, President, UN-GCNI and CMD-ONGC said that ONGC as a responsible corporate is actively pursuing the UN Sustainable Development Goals through its social and environmental interventions. Speaking of Late Mr Raha, he said that ONGC cherishes his passion and foresight which has led GCNI to become one of the top 10 leading networks among the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) family.

Over 400 people from diverse institutions/sectors like Corporate, Civil Society Organizations, UN Agencies and Business Schools including students from various Universities and Institutions attended the program.

During the opening remarks, Dr Uddesh Kohli, Senior Advisor, UNGCNI shared that the Subir Raha Memorial Lecture series has been instituted to honour the memory and contributions of Late Shri Subir Raha and has witnessed riveting discourse  on sustainable development agenda by eminent luminaries.

Delivering the Vote of Thanks, Mr Kamal Singh, Executive Director, UN-GCNI later thanked all the guests and participants and assured that the journey started by Mr Raha will continue to achieve the goals for what UN-GCNI was formed.

Notes to the Editors

Global Compact Network India (GCNI) as the Indian arm of United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), New York has been active in India since 2000 and since its inception it has been providing a vibrant platform to Indian companies, subsidiaries of MNCs, SMEs, Institutions, media houses, governments, corporate foundations, industry chambers and civil society organizations to institutionalize Ten Universal Principles covering Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-Corruption among various stakeholders. Besides this, UN-GCNI is also complementing 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and working hand in hand with Governments.

On Friday, 5^th July 2019, UN-Global Compact Network India (UN-GCNI), held its 9^th Annual ‘Subir Raha Memorial Lecture’ to honor the memory of a great corporate visionary leader Late Sh. Subir Raha, Founder President of UN-GCNI & Former CMD, ONGC. The program was held at Deendayal Urja Bhawan (ONGC-Green Building), Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.

Padma Bhushan Dr Kirit S. Parikh is a Former Member, Planning Commission, Government of India, Chairman- Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe). He is also a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India and an Honorary Life Member of the International Association of Agricultural Economists. In recognition of his significant contributions Dr. Parikh was honoured with Padma Bhushan by the President of India in March 2009.