Entrepreneurs Gather at U.N. to Support Sustainable Development Goals

Associations combine forces for global change

Alexandria, VA, USA (24 May 2018) Representatives of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) participated in an International Council for Small Business (ICSB) Forum, "Creating a Shared Future for Entrepreneurs and Micro-, Small and Medium sized Enterprises in the Framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals," held 10 – 12 May at the United Nations in New York.

"Our members are entrepreneurs who understand that there's more to running a business than building a better business," said EO Global Chair Brian Brault. "We understand that we have a need, an obligation--a desire--to look beyond the walls of our businesses and make a bigger impact in the world."

Brault served as keynote speaker for the event, and EO members Stephen Distante, Kristin McLane, Adrienne Palmer, Marsha Ralls, Shelby Scarbrough and Laura Verallo De Bertotto presented on the challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in supporting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This was the first time the U.N. has hosted these two groups in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the UN, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the UN, the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Brault signed the following declaration in support of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) and Micro-, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs):

The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) in support of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) recognize the vital role of entrepreneurship and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in driving positive change in the world and addressing sustainable development challenges through creative solutions and innovation. We firmly believe that MSMEs, accounting for a large share of world economic activity, can play a fundamental role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. EO joins ICSB to declare our joint commitment to maximizing positive impacts for people, communities and the environment through entrepreneurship.

EO is currently establishing opportunities for its members, successful entrepreneurs located in 54 countries, to move the SDGs forward and has urged its 13,000+ business owners to pitch in to achieve these goals.