Zambian Breweries calls for companies to join forces on development goals
The corporate world should set aside selfish policies and join forces to form an integrated approach to development issues, says Zambian Breweries Director of Corporate Affairs Ezekiel Sekele.
Speaking during a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) forum for the private sector and civil society in Lusaka, Mr Sekele called for partnership on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects in order to be more cost-effective and have more impact.
“The private sector, public sector and civil society need to work hand-in-hand. We should not be running projects in silos; CSR is no longer an area where companies can drive their own agenda,” he told business leaders who were meeting to discuss the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 17 SDGs were adopted at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015 and are the successor to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that previously formed the backbone of the UN’s development initiatives.
Mr Sekele particularly highlighted the 17th goal, which aims to “strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development”.
SABMiller Plc, the parent company of Zambian Breweries and National Breweries, along with other progressive businesses, sought to contribute to the drafting of the SDGs and is committed to playing an active role in helping to achieve them.
Mr Sekele showcased the group’s sustainable development strategy, Prosper, which is aligned with many of the SDG themes. The company wants: A thriving world – where incomes and quality of life are growing; A sociable world – where its beers are developed, marketed, sold and consumed responsibly. sA resilient world- where businesses, communities and ecosystems share uninterrupted access to safe, clean water; A clean world – where nothing goes to waste and emissions are dramatically lower; A productive world – where land is used responsibly; food supply is secure; biodiversity protected and crops can be accessed at reasonable prices.