The United Nations at 80: UN global compact and the private sector

LANDRY SIGNÉ: Before we begin, could you please state your full name and title for the recording?

TOLULOPE LEWIS TAMOKA: Thank you for having me. My name is Tolulope Lewis Tamoka. I’m Chief of Government Relations and Africa at the United Nations Global Compact.

LANDRY SIGNÉ: It’s my honor. So, I’m really delighted to have you join me during this 80th UNGA and I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your insight with our audience.

And I would first like to congratulate you on an incredibly successful Unstoppable Africa GABI [Global Africa Business Initiative] 2025.

TOLULOPE LEWIS TAMOKA: Thank you so much. I was very pleased you were part of this auspicious event. We had the Unstoppable Africa, the fourth edition over two days on the 21st and 22nd of September on the back of UNGA 80 at the Marriott Marquis and we had excellent conversations with heads of states and business leaders.

LANDRY SIGNÉ: Fabulous. And I think this is the event that I never miss at UNGA. So, Tolu, after 80 years of the United Nations, what do you see as the organization’s most enduring achievements, and how should these be built upon for the future?

TOLULOPE LEWIS TAMOKA: Thank you. That’s a pertinent question on the back of UNGA 80, and as our U.N. Secretary General said, Antonio Gutierrez, at the commemoration of U.N. at 80, the lasting effort of the United Nations over the last eight decades has been its ability to unite. To unite around key priorities for the continent and the people of the world.

And so to be part of that initiative is really an important one. And for us as UN Global Compact, to bring the voice of the private sector business and to unite business with the rest of society to advance the SDGs has become more important than ever in today’s world.

LANDRY SIGNÉ: Sounds good. Amazing. How do you envision the UN as a whole and U.N. Global Compact in particular, adapting to a rapidly changing global landscape marked by new technologies shifting power dynamics and global crisis.

TOLULOPE LEWIS TAMOKA: On this auspicious occasion of the UN at 80, I do envision the UN as a whole and my organization, UN Global Compact, still remaining very relevant to solve the challenges for today’s world.

Just as the U.N. commemorates its 80th anniversary. UN Global Compact also commemorates its 25th anniversary.

LANDRY SIGNÉ: Fabulous.

TOLULOPE LEWIS TAMOKA: And behind this 25th celebration of UN Global Compact is the work we have done to elaborate our strategy from 2026 to 2030, looking at the key sets of priorities that will take us to the end of the course of the current SDGs.

And in there we are keen to ensure that the voice of business still remains relevant to support the United Nations and the public sector to address the challenges and the gaps that still remain to be met in advancing the SDGs.

LANDRY SIGNÉ: Fantastic. And what unique advantages and opportunities does the multilateral system offer countries today as they seek to advance national priorities while we are contributing to global public goods?

TOLULOPE LEWIS TAMOKA: There are many opportunities and advantages, you know, to advance the multilateral system. Bringing key stakeholders together and using the UN’s convening power has remained one of the platforms that the UN is pretty good at showcasing. And for us at UN Global Compact, we use that space to engage business leaders and heads of states in conversations around key themes from climate action to advancing gender equality, looking at labor rights, but also looking at the future of business and ensuring that we plan for sustainable business and the long term still becomes one of the key priorities that we engage with. And in particular looking at the African continent.

In my portfolio, I work on advancing the priorities for Africa and we use our convening spaces to, through two key initiatives. One, you have participated in our flagship event, GABI, which is looking at bringing global leaders and African business leaders towards a positive narrative, as we discussed before we opened this session. It’s about bringing Africa to the next frontier and bringing initiatives to scale, and that’s what we convened around this year. Bringing eight heads of states, including from the continent and from outside the continent to really champion this cause.

LANDRY SIGNÉ: Incredibly powerful.

And looking ahead. What key priorities and recommendations will guide your agency’s work during this 80th session of UNGA? And how do you hope this will shape the next phase of the United Nation’s role in global governance?

TOLULOPE LEWIS TAMOKA: Thank you. In terms of some key priorities and recommendations I’d like to put forward.

One is just around coalitions and bringing together like-minded entities to really chart the course forward. And that’s our second initiative as UN global compacts that particularly looks at Africa and how to ensure that we take the continent forward and this is, um, a coalition of business leaders that we serve as the secretariat for, and these are action oriented leaders from across the continent who represents $170 billion in terms of their overall revenue and in terms of employees, have more than a million employees in their fold. And these business leaders are committed to two key themes. One, climate action. Two, advancing gender equality. They have stayed the course despite the geopolitical winds and are really committed to really showing actionable results, that others can learn from.

And so, it’s our role to continue to ensure that they have the opportunities to really show what they’re doing on a global stage, and we’ll continue to ensure that these priorities remain, front and center to our work.

LANDRY SIGNÉ: What a beautiful way to conclude. Thank you so much for joining me today.

TOLULOPE LEWIS TAMOKA: Thank you so much for having me.

LANDRY SIGNÉ: Fabulous.