UN Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of UN Global Compact Sanda Ojiambo’s Official Visit to Egypt Highlights Egypt’s Growing Role in Advancing Responsible Business
The United Nations Global Compact Network Egypt (UNGCNE) welcomed Ms. Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), on an official visit to Egypt, reaffirming the UNGC’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s sustainable development agenda and strengthening the role of the private sector in driving responsible business, climate action, and inclusive economic growth.
During her visit, Ms. Ojiambo engaged in a series of high-level meetings with government officials, business leaders, academia, and young changemakers, which highlighted the importance of responsible business, sustainability, and collective action in advancing the Ten Principles of the UNGC and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlighting the strategic role played by the UNGC country network Egypt. The visit also reinforced the value of collaboration among the private sector, the United Nations, and national stakeholders to support Egypt’s sustainable development priorities and strengthen business competitiveness.
A key highlight of the visit was the meeting with H.E. Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development. The meeting underscored the role of the UNGC and the Egyptian Network in engaging and supporting the integration of the private sector into Egypt’s sustainable development agenda and advancing the country’s Vision 2030. The discussion also highlighted the role of the private sector in supporting Egypt’s national development priorities including empowering and supporting the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
A High-Level CEO Roundtable, was organized by UNGCNE under the theme “Navigating Global Headwinds: Competitiveness, Climate and the Egyptian Private Sector.” Bringing together chief executives, financiers, and business leaders from across sectors, the roundtable explored how Egypt’s private sector can strengthen its competitiveness by turning the climate and energy transition into a driver of resilience, investment, and sustainable economic growth. Discussions focused on the opportunities and barriers shaping business competitiveness, including sustainable finance, infrastructure, regulation, and market readiness, while identifying practical pathways for stronger collaboration between the private sector, the United Nations, and national priorities to accelerate sustainable development in Egypt.
Ms. Ojiambo also inspired the participants of Bloom with Purpose, UNGCNE’s flagship fully funded women’s leadership program, by delivering the official opening remarks at the Opening Ceremony of its second cohort.
The visit further reinforced the UNGC’s efforts to developing future responsible business leaders through participation in Responsible Management Education (RME) Week 2026, organized by the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and hosted by the Onsi Sawiris School of Business at The American University in Cairo. Bringing together a global community representing more than 800 business schools under the theme “Counting on Collective Values,” the event highlighted the role of responsible management education in equipping future business leaders with the skills, values, and knowledge needed to advance the Ten Principles and the SDGs. During the week, Ms. Ojiambo participated in the panel discussion “One Global Compact: United in Driving Collective Impact” and joined an intergenerational dialogue with PRME Student Regional Leaders, while UNGCNE contributed through workshops, business panels, and youth policy dialogues that further promoted responsible leadership and youth engagement.
Together, these initiatives reflect UNGCNE’s integrated approach to advancing responsible business by empowering women leaders, equipping young people with the skills and opportunities needed for sustainable careers, strengthening dialogue between the private sector and policymakers, and supporting businesses in embedding sustainability into their core strategies.
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Ms. Walaa El-Husseiny, UNGCNE Country Director stated: “Ms. Sanda Ojiambo’s visit marks an important milestone for responsible business in Egypt, at a time when the private sector is increasingly central to economic development and sustainable growth. Through stronger collaboration with business leaders, policymakers, academia, and youth, UNGCNE continues to advance its strategy of equipping companies to act, embedding sustainability into business practices, and turning global commitments into tangible contributions to Egypt’s national priorities.”
Mr. Ayman Ismail, Chairman of the Board of Directors of UNGCNE & Founder and Chairman of AI Capital and Foodlover stated: “Ms. Sanda Ojiambo’s visit reinforces the role of responsible business in strengthening Egypt’s competitiveness and long-term economic resilience. As global markets increasingly reward sustainability, companies that embed responsible practices are better positioned to attract investment, access new markets, innovate, and grow. UNGCNE remains committed to supporting businesses as they move from commitment to implementation, and from compliance to value creation.”
Commenting on the visit, Ms. Ojiambo, said: “The UNGNE has become a key player by bringing together more than 100 participating companies that are advancing the UNGC ‘s global proposition while responding to Egypt’s national priorities. Through initiatives such as Bloom with Purpose, which advances women’s leadership, and Gen Green, which equips young people with the skills and opportunities needed for sustainable careers, the Network is translating commitment into measurable impact. Equally important is its work to support SMEs and foster constructive dialogue between the private sector and policymakers, helping create an enabling environment for responsible business and sustainable development.”
Ms. Ojiambo’s visit reaffirmed the United Nations Global Compact’s confidence in Egypt’s growing role in advancing responsible business and sustainable development. Through engagements spanning private sector leadership, women’s empowerment, youth development, responsible management education, and sustainable manufacturing, the visit demonstrated how collaboration across sectors can translate sustainability commitments into measurable impact while strengthening Egypt’s private sector contribution to sustainable development and responsible business.
