The International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) and the United Nations Foundation (UNF) recently hosted a special event titled 'Improving Women’s and Children’s Health - Let's show we mean business', on behalf of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and in support of his Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health, specifically to explore the role business can play in achieving its goals in this area. The Global Strategy is an effort led by the UN Secretary-General through which stakeholders, including business, can work together to save the lives of millions.

The private session took place on 1 September, 2010 at The Royal Society of Medicine's Chandos House in London and the day began with a private breakfast hosted by Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development. He was joined by Robert Orr, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Favio Busteo, WHO Assistant Secretary General and a small group of senior business leaders from GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Intel, GE Healthcare, Standard Chartered, Anglo American, The Body Shop and Vestergaard Frandsen, in addition to Sir Mark Walport, CEO of the Wellcome Foundation and a handful of others.

Andrew Mitchell also opened the main proceedings of the day, chaired by IBLF's Acting CEO, Graham Baxter. The meeting brought together over 80 participants from industries such as ICT, media, pharma, consumer goods, food and beverage, oil and extraction, mining, banking and consultancies, with government leaders, NGOs, foundations and experts in maternal and child health.

The audience heard evidence from health experts on the needs and the interventions required to address women's and children's health needs. Tangible examples of private sector investment were showcased by a range of companies from various sectors - including Standard Chartered Bank, Intel, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, DSM and Vestergaard Frandsen - all making the business case for engagement.

The agenda covered a range of potential avenues for corporate engagement including product innovation, service delivery, business-to-business collaboration and other partnerships. It also extended to the incentives that exist to encourage global and local businesses in their endeavours to push the boundaries towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Olive Boles, IBLF's Director of Strategic Relations and Adviser on Health and Kathrin Bauer, IBLF's Programme Manager, presented on the role of business. Working sessions were also led by Save the Children and Family Care International.

As a result of this event, a number of companies are now looking seriously at how they might respond to the UN Secretary-General's Global Strategy, by identifying new business commitments. These will be announced to the public during the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Summit on 22 September 2010 in New York. Additionally, IBLF is looking to plan and execute a follow-up event in Delhi, India in November 2010 with our Corporate Partners and others.

International Business Leaders Forum

International Business Leaders Forum

The International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working with business leaders and their companies to manage sustainabile programmes worldwide. Headquartered in London, IBLF has regional offices spanning Asia-Pacific, Russia and North America.

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