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(London, New York, Paris, 16 April 2008/UNDP) —The International Chamber of
Commerce (ICC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Business
Leaders Forum (IBLF) are pleased to open nominations for the 2008 World Business and Development
Awards in support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The awards recognize the contribution
of the private sector to help achieve the MDGs through their core business.
The MDGs, endorsed by 189 countries, are eight goals that promote poverty reduction,
education, maternal health, and gender equality, and aim to combat child mortality, HIV/AIDS and
other diseases.
The UN has devoted 2008 to build a renewed momentum around achievement of the MDGs, including
special attention for the role of business in development through an initiative known as the
Business Call to Action. The World Business and Development Awards is one of the central events
this year that will recognize the key contributions of the private sector to achieve the MDGs.
The deadline for nominations for the World Business and Development Awards is 30 May.
Companies, institutions and associations of all types and sizes are invited to participate by
nominating projects that document business activities leading to progress in achieving one or more
of the MDGs. The winners will be announced on 24 September during a presentation ceremony in New
York.
Introduced by ICC in 2000, the awards have become increasingly successful over the years. In
2004, UNDP and IBLF joined with ICC to organize the awards. The true spirit of the awards lies in
the pursuit of productive and innovative business-driven solutions to sustainable development.
Award recipients receive worldwide recognition as leading examples of how business can
contribute to the MDGs. They will be profiled in the publications and on the official websites of
ICC, UNDP, and IBLF.
An International Judging Panel will be made up of representatives of the organizers and
leaders from other non-governmental organizations, business entities, and international agencies,
including: Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute and Quetelet Professor of Sustainable
Development, Columbia University; Oby Ezekwesili, Vice-President for Africa, World Bank and former
Nigerian Minister of Education; Lisa Dreier, Director, Public-Private Partnerships, World Economic
Forum; Jane Nelson, Director, Corporate Responsibility Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School; and Guy
Sebban, Secretary General, ICC.
For more information about the awards, including eligibility criteria and nomination forms,
please visit www.iccwbo.org/awards.
For further details and to arrange an interview, please contact:
Catherine Foster, ICC Communications
Tel: +33 1 49 53 28 22 Email: cfr@iccwbo.org
Sausan Ghosheh, UNDP Communications Office
Tel: +1 212 906 5390 Email: sausan.ghosheh@undp.org
