2019 marks four years since the United Nations (UN) member states unanimously agreed on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and planet by 2030. Otherwise known as the Global Goals, the SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These 17 Goals build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals, while including new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption and peace and justice, among other priorities.

Although the SDGs represent an agenda that ultimately will need to be implemented by governments around the world, the private sector also has a critical role to play in the realization of the transformative ambitions of these goals. Through a series of linked seminars throughout 2019, the Japan Society will explore the role of business in contributing to this critical global framework and showcase efforts that a number of leading Japanese companies are making to integrate this agenda into their strategic considerations.

The first seminar in our series will incorporate insights from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) on the implications of the SDGs and the business case for private sector engagement. In addition, we will hear how Fujitsu is leveraging the SDGs to explore new business opportunities and how the Goals are influencing the company’s efforts when it comes to strategy, training and innovation.

Following an open session for questions and discussion, the evening will conclude with an informal networking reception.

We are extremely grateful to Mitsubishi Corporation for generously hosting this seminar.

Speakers:
James Gomme has been seconded by Mitsubishi Corporation’s London office to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), a business membership organisation comprised of some 200 multinational corporations that come together to coordinate and scale up solutions to create a sustainable future.

As Director of SDGs, James heads up the organisation’s work on engaging WBCSD member companies around the Sustainable Development Goals, supporting efforts to integrate the SDGs into strategic considerations, and working with different sectors to develop detailed roadmaps exploring how their industry can maximise contributions to the SDGs on the road to 2030.

Mel Melis is Director of Interregional Engagement within the CSR and Sustainable Development Division of Fujitsu’s Responsible Business Unit. Graduating in Computer Science, he has an operational background in ICT service delivery management, where he managed and supported a number of large customer accounts in the retail sector. He has also worked as a bid solution architect for several global Fujitsu deals, mainly in the financial and manufacturing sectors. In recent years he has been focused on roles in Sustainability; creating and leading the dedicated UK bid team for Sustainability, being the EMEIA lead for Environmental matters, and being part of the leadership team of a global rollout of a wide reaching internal Responsible Business initiative.

The series will continue with further seminars, each one focusing on a different aspect of the Sustainable Development Goals.

To reserve your place, please call the Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996, email events@japansociety.org.uk or submit the online booking form.

Free – Booking essential
Booking deadline: Monday 10 June