Karachi, October 1, 2026 — The Global Compact Network Pakistan (GCNP), the country network of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) in Pakistan, hosted its annual Sustainability Awards and Summit at the Hotel Marriott, Karachi, marking 21 years of its existence.

The summit was themed around the UNGC’s global “Forward Faster” initiative, calling on businesses to accelerate progress on Gender Equality, Climate Action, Living Wage, Water Resilience, and Finance for the SDGs.

With 36 companies taking part in the awards, the event drew over 100 participants.

The event was graced by Mr. Sirajuddin Aziz, Federal Banking Ombudsman of Pakistan, as Chief Guest, and Mr. Prem Bahadur Chand, Chief Field Officer, UNICEF Pakistan, as Guest of Honour.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Khalid Junejo, Executive Director, GCNP, said: “Sustainability is no longer an aspiration for business; it is part of how business moves forward. Today, we celebrate the progress companies have made and set a benchmark for others to follow.”

In his address as Chief Guest, Mr. Sirajuddin Aziz remarked: “Before we talk about sustainability, we must first define our goals. The real challenge is finding the right balance between progress, nature and opportunity, and our greatest investment is in the young people who will shape tomorrow.”

Speaking on the importance of gender-inclusive growth, Mr. Prem Bahadur Chand said: “Investing in girls is not only a gender priority; it is a productivity, competitiveness and growth strategy. Strong economies invest in human capital, and that means ensuring girls have access to skills, apprenticeships and digital opportunities.”

The highlight of the evening was the CEO Panel Discussion, “Forward Faster: Accelerating Sustainable Impact in Pakistan,” moderated by Ms Sabahat Bukhari, CEO MintRewards. The panel featured Muhammad Farid Alam (CEO, AKD Securities), Tara Uzra Dawood (Founder, LADIESFUND), and Rehan Saeed (CEO, L’Oréal Pakistan). The conversation touched on mobilizing capital for the SDGs, advancing climate action and circularity in manufacturing, driving women’s economic empowerment, and building more responsible, purpose-driven business practices. The panelists also spoke of the value of cross-sector collaboration and partnerships in creating lasting impact across the country.

The event also featured a dedicated session on “Sustainability in the Age of AI & Innovation,” spotlighting how startups and SMEs are leveraging AI and innovation to advance sustainability and create real impact. The session featured Syed Salman Tariq (CEO, Davaam Life), Ms. Sabahat Bokhari (CEO, Mint Rewards), and Mr. Sajjeed Aslam (Co-Founder, Sustainability).

Awards Ceremony 

The Awards were also celebrated with the winning organizations, with trophies presented by the Chief Guest to the winners

Recognition shields were also presented to all participating companies for their continued commitment to the UNGC principles and the SDGs; a detailed list of all participating companies can be viewed here.

GCNP continues to promote the UNGC’s Ten Principles and the SDGs, driving responsible and impactful business practices for a more sustainable Pakistan.

Global Compact Network Pakistan successfully concluded the GCNP-UNGC Virtual Open House, bringing together leaders, practitioners, and sustainability professionals committed to advancing responsible business in Pakistan.

The session featured powerful insights across the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact Global Compact, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ESG progress in Pakistan, and the evolving role of the private sector in driving sustainable impact.

Key discussions also highlighted the UNGC Forward Faster initiative, ongoing GCNP programs and resources, and real-world sustainability journeys shared by leading organizations such as Engro Corporation and Nishat Apparel.

A big thank you to all speakers and participants for contributing to an engaging and impactful dialogue on shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Together, we continue to move from commitment to meaningful action.

Global Compact Network Pakistan is excited to announce that registration is now open for FORWARD FASTER NOW | APAC 2026, our regional flagship event taking place 11-12 August in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Organized by the United Nations Global Compact and hosted by the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, this high-impact convening brings together leaders from business, government, the UN, and civil society to accelerate measurable private sector contributions to the SDGs.

UN Global Compact participants are eligible for one complimentary attendance/entry ticket. Additional attendees can register at a discounted early bird rate until 31 May.

Seats are limited—secure your spot today!

Global Compact Network Pakistan, in collaboration with Transparency International Pakistan and the Area Study Centre for Europe, University of Karachi, successfully hosted a conference on 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 on April 9, 2025, in Karachi.

The conference received strong participation from policymakers, corporate leaders, civil society representatives, and academics, who collaborated to tackle the gaps in governance, finance, and gender equity in the pursuit of climate justice.

𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝:
• The Urgency of Climate Justice
• Carbon Markets and Community Involvement in Climate Finance and Climate Action
• Gender-responsive climate Justice and Action Plans

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬:
• Climate justice must center vulnerable communities in both policy and implementation.
• Effective climate finance mechanisms require transparency, inclusivity, and local engagement.
• Carbon markets hold potential but need stronger governance frameworks.
• Gender-responsive planning is essential for equitable and lasting climate action.
• Collaboration between public, private, and academic sectors is critical for meaningful impact.

We extend our sincere thanks to all panelists and speakers for sharing their invaluable insights and contributing to powerful conversations that inspire meaningful climate action.

The Global Compact Network Pakistan (GCNP) successfully organized the National Climate Action Conference in Karachi on February 29, 2024 at Hotel Avari Towers Karachi, a high-profile event aimed at addressing climate resilience and sustainability in the business sector. Industry leaders, policymakers, environmentalists, and experts converged to explore innovative strategies and solutions to combat climate change and foster sustainable development.

The Conference brought together a diverse array of stakeholders to delve into climate-resilient actions essential for sustaining businesses amidst environmental challenges. Key objectives included driving progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), managing global shocks, and fostering partnerships to secure a resilient and sustainable future.