UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers

Meet the 2019 SDG Pioneers

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) lay out a clear vision for a sustainable future, also shaping a new era for business. As part of our Making Global Goals Local Business campaign, each year, the UN Global Compact celebrates a group of SDG Pioneers — business leaders who are doing an exceptional job to advance the Global Goals through the implementation of our Ten Principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

In the spirit of giving young people a seat at the table to build a sustainable future, this year the UN Global Compact will focus its search for SDG Pioneers to young professionals aged 35 and under.

Meet the 2019 SDG Pioneers!

SDG Pioneers are paving the way to the future we all want

The submission period for the 2019 UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers has now ended. If you are interested to join the programme next year, please make sure to subscribe to our Monthly Bulletin to get the updates and join the conversation on social media using #SDGpioneers.

Questions? See our Frequently Asked Questions or contact sdgpioneers@unglobalcompact.org.

Earlier this year, Global Compact Local Networks in several countries hosted national-level SDG Pioneers programmes. These winners will automatically take part in the global round along with other candidates.

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The 2019 UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers will be announced and recognized during the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York this September.

The 2019 UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers campaign is supported by the Tuborg Foundation.

Our global campaign

In 2018, over 150 nominations were received from over 50 countries, from which ten finalists were selected by the SDG Pioneers Selection Group, exemplifying how business can be a force for good in addressing the challenges we face as a global society.

An SDG Pioneers Selection Group, comprised of representatives of the Board and Expert Networks of the UN Global Compact, the Global Compact Network Council, academia, UN Private Sector Focal Points and previous SDG Pioneers. The Selection Group voted on the nominees based on a set of criteria, including the individuals' commitment to embedding the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact into their companies' core strategies and advancing the Global Goals, as well as their engagement with the UN Global Compact and its Local Networks.

Sustainable Development Goals


The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 related targets represent a bold new path to end extreme poverty and hunger, fight inequalities and address climate change by 2030 — ensuring that no one is left behind.