The USCIB Foundation convened a high-level breakfast roundtable titled “Business Pact for the Future: UN Reform and Business” with UN Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder on July 16. This event brought together USCIB Board members, International Organisation of Employers (IOE) partners, and senior business leaders to discuss the evolving role of business in the UN system.?

The event, generously hosted by Salesforce at its New York offices, took place on the margins of the 2025 UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).?

Whitney Y. Baird, President and CEO of USCIB, opened the session, highlighting the significance of the 80th anniversary milestone of both the UN’s and USCIB’s founding, and emphasizing the need for a renewed, institutionalized partnership between the UN and the business community.? She highlighted the Foundation’s Business Pact for the Future initiative, which provides priority areas for business partnership with the UN to accelerate action towards transboundary challenges.?

Eric Loeb, USCIB Chair and EVP at Salesforce, moderated a candid discussion with Under-Secretary Ryder on how UN reform can better recognize and integrate business as a strategic partner in achieving the 2030 Agenda.?

The roundtable also featured insights from Norine Kennedy, USCIB’s SVP for Global Strategy and UN Affairs and Executive Director of The USCIB Foundation. Kennedy led a discussion on enhancing business access to UN processes, strengthening collaboration with the US government, and preparing for the upcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week.?

The Business Pact for the Future, launched by USCIB last year, is a business initiative to accelerate implementation of the UNs 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, a centerpiece of the UN Summit of the Future (SOTF).???