Businesses with innovative models that enhance commercial success as well as contribute to sustainable development have been invited by the United Nations to participate in the World Business & Development Awards (WBDA), which launched its nominations today. Organizations engaged in practices that are delivering commercially-viable solutions and helping to improve social, economic and environmental conditions are eligible to apply regardless of size or location. Ceremony During Rio+20 – June 19, 2012: Award ceremony will be held during the UN Sustainable Development Conference (Rio+20) on June 19, 2012. In honour of the conference’s host country, Brazil, there will be a special category designated for Brazil-based companies. UN Development Programme (UNDP), a co-organizer of the awards, this year’s prizes will be given to companies with inclusive business models that expand access for low-income people to goods and services, or improve their livelihoods by engaging them in value chains as direct employees, suppliers or distributors, while also generating sales and profit growth. “Past award winners have shown how companies can help boost sustainable growth and development. They can be a tremendous source of innovative and sustainable solutions which help transform people’s lives for the better,” said UNDP Administrator Helen Clark. See Film Report: -“What is UNDP” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/what-is-undp-one-day/27368 According to UN News Press Center: “The awards seek to demonstrate how companies can, through their core business activities, help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – eight internationally agreed targets to reduce poverty and environmental degradation and improve education, health conditions and gender equality by 2015. “As progress towards the Millennium Development Goals comes under threat in the current economic climate, the awards will highlight the critical role of the private sector in stimulating sustainable economic growth and development,” said Secretary General for the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Jean-Guy Carrier. The WBDAs. Now 10 years on, are organized by the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), the ICC and UNDP. This year’s partners include the Netherlands Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the UN Global Compact. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey – Twitter @MuhamedSacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX Link to WBDA-World Business & Development Awards (Nomination site) - worldbusinessawards.net/#/nominate/4558901829 Link to UNDP Statement Belowhttp://www.beta.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2012/02/02/world-business-and-development-awards-open-call-for-business-contributions-to-sustainable-development.html Press Statement from UNDP: The World Business and Development Awards today launched a call for nominations for successful business initiatives that are in line with the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development. All organisations, regardless of size or location, engaged in innovative business models that are delivering both commercial success and helping improve social, economic and environmental conditions are eligible to apply online by 25th March 2012 by downloading the form at ¬¬www.worldbusinessawards.net/nominate. The award ceremony will be held on 19th June, when governments convene in Brazil at the Rio+20 Conference, closing the Business Action for Sustainable Development Business Day. Celebrating a decade of biennial award giving, the World Business and Development Awards are organized by the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership this year with the Netherlands Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the UN Global Compact. The Awards demonstrate how companies can, through their core business activities, help achieve the Millennium Development Goals — eight internationally agreed targets to reduce poverty and environmental degradation and improve education, health conditions and gender equality by 2015. "When businesses apply the full force of their core business activities to development challenges and measure their success both by profit and social outcomes, there is no limit to what can be achieved,” said Clare Melford, CEO of IBLF, “We hope that the WBDA will again stimulate businesses of all sizes and in all regions to bring forward their best examples and so accelerate progress towards achieving the MDGs." The 2012 Awards will be given explicitly to companies delivering inclusive business models: sustainable, commercially-viable business initiatives that expand access for low-income people to goods and services, or improve their livelihoods by engagement in value chains as direct employees, suppliers or distributors, while also generating sales and profit growth. In honour of the Rio+20 host country, there will be a special category designated for Brazil-based companies. By bringing together examples of innovative, effective business practices, the World Business and Development Awards will also provide leading businesses and entrepreneurs with a valuable platform for networking and sharing experiences and promote best practices after Rio+20. This will encourage other businesses and governments to replicate and scale initiatives. An international judging panel made up of representatives of the organising partners as well as non-governmental organisations, universities, business entities, and international institutions will determine this year’s winners. A workshop on inclusive business will take place prior to the Awards ceremony, held in association with the Business Call to Action and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. In 2010, the Awards received an unprecedented 172 nominations, representing a variety of business and commercial endeavours undertaken by business associations, non-governmental organisations and individual companies from more than 42 countries. Diverse in nature, the 10 winning initiatives ranged from low-income housing in Mexico and assisting farmers in Sierra Leone, to offering affordable maternal health services in India. “Past award winners have shown how companies can help boost sustainable growth and development,” said UNDP Administrator Helen Clark, “They can be a tremendous source of innovative and sustainable solutions which help transform people’s lives for the better." "As progress towards the Millennium Development Goals comes under threat in the current economic climate, the Awards will highlight the critical role of the private sector in stimulating sustainable economic growth and development,” said ICC Secretary General Jean-Guy Carrier. Contact Information UNDP: Carolina Azevedo, carolina.azevedo@undp.org; +1 212 906 6127 ICC: Dawn Chardonnal, dawn.chardonnal@iccwbo.org; +33 1 49 53 29 07 IBLF: Jessica Scholl, Jessica.scholl@iblf.org; +44 20 7467 363