UN Global Compact in Côte d’Ivoire Convenes Corporate Leaders for Sustainability Managers Day
UN Global Compact in Côte d’Ivoire Convenes Corporate Leaders for Sustainability Managers Day
How can businesses integrate sustainability into their strategies while strengthening financial performance, competitiveness, and positive societal impact? This question was at the heart of the first-ever Sustainability Managers Day, organized by the UN Global Compact in Côte d’Ivoire on 21 October 2026 at UNICEF headquarters in Abidjan.
Held under the theme “Sustainability, Governance, Strategies, and Financial Performance: How Do Your Companies and Organizations Stand Out and Impact Their Ecosystems?”, the event brought together corporate sustainability professionals, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practitioners, and business leaders to exchange experiences and explore how responsible business practices can contribute to long-term value creation.
The landmark event convened over 130 sustainability managers, ESG practitioners, and corporate executives representing diverse economic sectors in Côte d’Ivoire. Participating companies examined practical pathways to translate sustainability commitments into measurable operational performance.
Embedding Sustainability in Business Strategy
Opening the session, Dominique Kadja, Country Manager of the Global Compact in Côte d’Ivoire, called on business leaders to move sustainability from corporate communications directly into core strategic planning.
"Sustainability is no longer an optional overlay or a public relations exercise, it is a fundamental driver of corporate strategy, risk management, and long-term competitiveness. By embedding ESG principles and the Ten Principles into core decision-making, businesses across Côte d’Ivoire can build true operational resilience and unlock sustainable financial growth," he stated..
Sharing Experiences and Addressing Emerging ESG Priorities
Presentations from Antoine Resk Diomandé, Group Director for ESG, Impact & Foundation, Atlantic Group S.A.; Jean-François Ouffouet, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Representative, Chargé de mission RSE, NSIA Banque (subsidiary of NSIA Holding Financière); and Sandy Kouame, Project Manager and Financial Analyst, SOFIAS (Société Financière d'Assistance et de Services), provided insights into corporate sustainability practices, business impact, and evolving regulatory expectations.
The presentations offered an opportunity to examine how organizations can integrate ESG considerations into their operations while responding to emerging requirements related to sustainable investment and climate disclosure.
Through these exchanges, participants explored the challenges and opportunities associated with translating sustainability ambitions into practical business strategies, taking into account the specific realities of different sectors.
A subsequent panel discussion broadened the conversation, highlighting the interconnected roles of responsible business conduct, effective governance, and financial performance.
Participants emphasized the importance of transparency, integrity, robust risk management, and respect for human rights as essential foundations for sustainable business growth. The discussion also reinforced the role of companies in advancing decent work, developing skills, promoting economic inclusion, and protecting the environment.
These contributions highlighted a central principle: sustainable business performance requires more than commitments on paper. It demands measurable action, accountability, and the active involvement of organizations at every level.
From Shared Experiences to Collective Action
The Country Sustainability Managers Day addressed several priorities:
- Sharing practical experiences: Exploring how companies and professional organizations, both members and non-members of the UN Global Compact, are integrating sustainability into their activities.
- Understanding sector-specific ESG challenges: Examining the environmental, social, and governance issues affecting different industries.
- Turning risks into opportunities: Identifying ways to use sustainability as a driver of innovation, resilience, and competitiveness.
- Strengthening governance: Exploring how leadership, accountability, and sound decision-making support the implementation of sustainability strategies.
- Integrating sustainability across value chains: Considering how environmental and social priorities can be incorporated into business operations, procurement, and supply chain management.
- Building stronger partnerships: Encouraging dialogue and collaboration among businesses, institutions, and other stakeholders to advance responsible business practices.
Advancing Responsible Business and Long-Term Value Creation
This inaugural Sustainability Managers Day highlights the Global Compact in Côte d’Ivoire’s ongoing effort to give local companies the practical tools they need for responsible growth. By turning high-level pledges into everyday business practices, the Global Compact helps companies align their operations with the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals. Looking ahead, in 2027, the future Global Compact Network Côte d’Ivoire will build on this progress through peer-to-peer learning, stronger industry governance, and cleaner, more sustainable supply chains across the region.
