Government has a critical role to play to ensure impact investment is a foundation for meeting the United Nations (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Particularly given the Covid-19 pandemic. Governments need to be market facilitators, participants and regulators.
This is according to research published by the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). The report Towards an Enabling Policy Environment for Impact Investment helps policymakers catalyse impact investment in their economies with research and case studies from the Asia region.
Cliff Prior, the CEO of GSG, said: “We have an opportunity to rebuild economies that are more equal and resilient to future shocks, and impact investing should be one of their foundations.”
In Aotearoa NZ, the Government has committed to the 17 SDGs and its "commitment to productive, sustainable and inclusive economic development". Publishing a review of its progress towards meeting the SDGs in 2019.
However, given the multiple SDGs and their complexity, there are varying views on NZ's progress to the SDGs. The People's Report on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs offers another perspective from a group of contributors from non-governmental organisations (NGO), community organisations, academics, unions, businesses, and New Zealanders.
The Impact Investing National Advisory Board Aotearoa New Zealand (NAB) supports the vital role of government in the development of the impact investment ecosystem in Aotearoa NZ. Combined with critical contributions from philanthropy, businesses, investors and the private sector. A view summarised in this letter by David Woods, our Deputy Chair.
The NAB acknowledges the importance of all the SDGs to contribute towards a sustainable, equitable and prosperous Aotearoa NZ. By growing the impact investment ecosystem our current focus is on the following SDGs: No Poverty; Good Health and Wellbeing; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; Reducing Inequalities; and Climate Action.
Share your perspectives. What are the most important roles for government to play to catalyse the impact investment ecosystem? What are the priority SDGs for you and your organisation?
