IGCN and IDX Collaborate to Realize Integrity-Based Business Governance

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - UN Global Compact Network Indonesia (IGCN) together with the Indonesia Stock Exchange successfully held the Responsible Business Forum 2024.

The event, which raised the theme 'Leadership Beyond Compliance: Creating Value through Integrity', became a forum for business actors to discuss the importance of integrity in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

IDX Director of Finance, Human Resources, and General Affairs, Risa E Rustam said that the business framework must provide a roadmap for private sector involvement, emphasizing how businesses can contribute to peace, justice, and the implementation of integrity.

"These pillars are the basis for businesses to grow and meaningfully support sustainable development. Achieving these goals requires more than just a vision. It requires decisive action, especially starting with leadership with integrity," he said.

In line with Risa, IGCN President, YW Junardy emphasized the importance of leadership with integrity.

According to him, the importance of leadership is not only focused on profit, but also on welfare, inclusion, and sustainability.

Transformative leadership must create value through integrity, with concrete actions to accelerate the achievement of environmental sustainability goals, inclusive business practices, and the rights of all Indonesian citizens.

Values ​​such as anti-corruption, gender equality, and environmental protection must be part of the organization's DNA to achieve justice and environmental sustainability.

"The integration of these values ​​is an advantage that must be utilized to encourage collaboration and positive change," he said.

Head of Office UNODC Indonesia, Erik van der Veen added, his party supports countries in encouraging integrity, accountability, and transparency as part of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) movement and invites involvement from various parties, including the younger generation who play an important role in shaping the future.

"We must consider funding anti-corruption campaigns led by young people, inviting their ideas, and harnessing their positive energy in fighting corruption, so that every day becomes Anti-Corruption Day," he said.

Manager of the Economic Development Pillar, National Secretariat of TPB/SDGs Setyo Budiantoro conveyed the importance of the role of business in supporting the government to implement the SDGs. Indonesia has shown its high commitment in implementing the SDGs, with an achievement of 62.5 percent in 2023.

"By continuing to accelerate global sustainability and combat corruption, Indonesia must ensure transparent governance as a key driver of economic growth. In addition, through this forum, every business sector and government seek collective action to accelerate progress towards a sustainable future," he said.

This was also reinforced by the statement of Paul Polman, Business Leader, Campaigner, Co-Author of Net Positive, and Former Vice Chair of the UN Global Compact.

He expressed the importance of implementing these efforts with real principles and actions.

"We must accelerate implementation with existing tools and knowledge, pay attention to the principles of the UN Global Compact, as well as partnership and peace as the foundation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," he said.

Paul also emphasized that corruption not only damages the legal system and transparency, but also hinders foreign investment needed for economic progress.

"Business has a big responsibility in addressing the problem of corruption, because without their commitment, we will not be able to achieve the sustainable development goals we aspire to," he said.

This year's Responsible Business Forum presents a variety of leading speakers and experts from various sectors to share their knowledge and experiences.

This event invites participants to engage in in-depth discussions on important issues related to integrity and efforts to eradicate corruption in business practices, structured in four plenary sessions with topics.

Namely SDG 16 Business Framework - "G" part of the ESG of Public Listed Companies; Integrity Talk: Elevating Business Resilience through Ethical Leadership and Transparency; Reflecting on Collective Action: What Works—and What Doesn't—in Anti-Corruption Efforts; and Insights and Strategies for Transformational Governance which presents key thoughts and perspectives from various experts focusing on the theme of the 2024 Responsible Business Forum.

In addition, there are three breakout sessions with topics. Namely Governance-Driven Climate Action for Business Sustainability: Moving Beyond Compliance; Building Inclusive and Corruption-Free Workplaces: Best Practices and Challenges; and Unlocking the Transformational Governance Framework for Sustainable Business Practices which are designed to provide an interactive space for participants to discuss and exchange ideas.

This forum was attended by more than 300 participants from various industrial sectors who are expected to increase understanding of the SDGs and Principle 10 of the UN Global Compact, which aims to share case studies and good practices from the business sector regarding the integration of sustainability and anti-corruption.