28 Jun 2022

Fairtrade and UN SDG Action Campaign Join Forces in Mobilizing Millions for the Sustainable Development Goals

The two organizations issue a joint call for action on climate justice ahead of September’s Global Week to #Act4SDGs and the UN SDG Action Awards.

BONN, Germany – Fairtrade International, the world’s leading certification for social justice and sustainability, and the UN SDG Action Campaign, a United Nations Secretary-General initiative hosted by UNDP, have joined to accelerate action towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the two organizations confirmed today.

This new partnership will help reach new audiences in the lead up to the Global Week to #Act4SDGs, during the UN General Assembly on 16-25 September, and the UN SDG Action Awards held in Bonn, Germany on 27 September. The Awards celebrate transformative SDG initiatives that scale up sustainability and social justice efforts around the world, and will see Fairtrade International’s Global CEO, Sandra Uwera, join the Judging Panel and the Awards Ceremony. The 2022 edition of the Awards has received over 3,000 high quality applications from 150 countries covering the full breadth of the Agenda 2030. The ceremony itself will be held before a select live audience at Bonn’s Deutsche Telekom Headquarters and featured in a live broadcast through UN WebTV and UN SDG Action Campaign platforms for a global audience.

“Fairtrade has long been at the forefront of the global drive in achieving the SDGs by the 2030 deadline. And, as we all know, that deadline is fast approaching,” said Ms. Uwera.

“Whether it has been through our consolidated efforts in tackling gender inequity and climate change or our targeted approach to addressing economic inequality through our Minimum Price and Premium, Fairtrade remains committed to delivering on the SDGs for farmers, agricultural workers, and consumers around the world,” she continued. “That’s why we’re thrilled to join UN SDG Action Campaign’s mobilization effort as we continue to advocate and act for a fairer future for all.”

Fairtrade will also join the movement by adding Fairtrade’s global SDG awareness efforts on the Global Map of SDG Actions, including Fairtrade Fortnights and agroforestry campaigns.

Marina Ponti, Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign, said it was critical for all stakeholders – organizations and individuals alike – to come together in solidarity.

“In these challenging times for the world, the power is in our hands to flip the script on climate, justice and peace - which means re-writing the narrative of our times. The UN SDG Action Campaign and its partners have shown that we are stronger together as we can mobilize millions of people to bring about positive change,” Ms. Ponti stated.

“We are proud to welcome Fairtrade International, an organization that truly leads the way in setting fairer and more sustainable standards and is a champion for social justice and decent jobs.”