CLIMATE WEEK RECAP
UNGA80 & Leaders Summit 2025 in NYC
By UN Global Compact NL
30.09.2025, 08:00
New York City, 22–30 September 2025
This year’s 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) High-Level Week, held under the theme “Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights,” marked a powerful dual milestone: 80 years of global cooperation for peace, development, and human rights and 25 years since the founding of the United Nations Global Compact.
Against this backdrop, the UN Global Compact hosted its 2025 Leaders Summit in New York, convening nearly 500 leaders from business, government, and civil society across industries and regions. The goal: to accelerate credible action on the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Held at the UN Global Compact Hub, the Summit offered hands-on tools, peer learning, and high-impact networking for those committed to turning ambition into measurable progress. Together, participants reaffirmed a bold truth: sustainability isn’t a trade-off, it’s the engine of resilience, competitiveness, and long-term growth.
Leaders Summit Key Takeaways
Sustainability Drives Competitiveness
Businesses aligning with sustainability are better equipped to manage risks and seize opportunities. 88% of CEOs say it creates more value than five years ago.
Urgency and Credibility Matter
With only 35% of SDG targets on track, companies must act faster setting time-bound goals and reporting transparently to build trust and resilience.
Climate Action Accelerates
Nearly 100 countries announced new climate targets. Businesses investing in renewables, adaptation, and resilience can unlock growth and gain a competitive edge.
Finance Fuels Transformation
Sustainable investments, already nearing $300 billion, are key to unlocking $10 trillion in opportunities and creating 400 million jobs by 2030.
Collective Action Is Essential
No single actor can solve global challenges alone. Collaboration across sectors is vital to scale impact and build inclusive, sustainable economies.
Climate Dialogue with Jesper Brodin, CEO of IKEA
From the UN Global Compact Network Netherlands, we were proud to see Jesper Brodin, CEO of Ingka Group (IKEA), take the stage as a featured speaker bringing the voice of one of the world’s largest home furnishing retailers to the global climate dialogue.
In his session with Dean Alexis Abramson of Columbia Climate School, “It’s Good Business to Be a Good Business,” they explored what responsible leadership looks like in a time of accelerating environmental change.
Brodin shared IKEA’s commitment to cutting emissions by 50% by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2050, while continuing to grow. Abramson highlighted how Columbia Climate School is preparing future leaders to tackle the climate crisis through education and innovation.
Their message was clear: sustainability isn’t a cost, it’s a catalyst for resilience and long-term success.
"Twenty-five years on, the UN Global Compact remains a trusted bridge between business and the United Nations. This year’s Leaders Summit was designed to help companies move from commitment to concrete results - faster."
Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact
SDG Innovation Pitch
The SDG Innovation Pitch at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit spotlighted winning teams of young professionals from across the globe, each selected through their local UN Global Compact SDG Innovation Accelerator.
Representing our Dutch network, the team from Fugro unveiled the Fugro Impact Score, a practical framework for evaluating business solutions against clear sustainability criteria. More than a metric, it represents a catalyst for conversation and smarter decision-making, reflecting a growing commitment to embed impact into the core of business strategy.
Looking Ahead: UNGC Strategy 2026–2030
The Summit followed the UN Global Compact board meeting, chaired by the UN Secretary-General, where the 2026–2030 strategy was approved. The next phase focuses on three shifts:
- Tailored, digitally enabled learning journeys
- Collective action across climate, wages, gender, and finance
- Stronger data through platforms like Forward Faster and the CFO Coalition for the SDGs
As the countdown to 2030 continues, the Leaders Summit 2025 reaffirmed a clear message: responsible business is not just good ethics - it’s smart strategy for people, planet, and performance.
Do you want to unlock the next era of sustainability leadership?
>> Check out our latest 2025 CEO Study here.
About UNGA High Level Week
Every September, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) gathers the world’s leaders and advocates to address, discuss, and debate the most pressing global issues from public health to climate change to huzman rights. This annual event is paramount for driving progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring a more equitable future for all.