… To Mobilise Finance for SDGs
High-profile policymakers, influencers, business and industry thought leaders including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Kwara State First Lady, Dr.Olufolake AbdulRazaq; Minister of State for Environment and Ecological Management, Dr. Isiaq Salako and Ekiti State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Akintunde Oyebode are set to address the urgency of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) investments at the 2023 Sustainability Table Discourse Series (STS).
Amongst other stakeholders and influential voices expected at the event are; Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab; Chief Executive Officer, IHS Nigeria Limited, Mohamad Darwish, Founding Partner, Ventures Platform, Kola Aina; CEO, ARM Harith Infrastructure Investment Limited, Tariye Gbadegesin, and CEO, Climate Finance and Investment Accelerator, Olumide Lala. CFIA is funded by the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
Now in its seventh year, STS is a platform dedicated to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and driving the transition towards a circular economy. Announcing the event with the theme, "Sustainability to Prosperity: Mobilising Finance for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)", the Convener and Principal Consultant at Avantgarde,
Kayode Olaniyan, said the main focus of STS 2023 is the critical need to mobilise finance for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the imperative need for investments in SDGs-related areas.
He stated that, in view of the critical environmental, climate change and sustainability challenges the world is faced with, the thought leaders, policymakers, and business leaders would devote this year’s event to address key critical policy issues such as decarbonisation strategies, mobilisation of finance for timely climate action, and the creation of ecosystems that
address climate change, environmental, and SDGs-related issues.
The event is scheduled for 10.00am on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, and interested participants can visit
https://sustainabilitytable.com/ to register. " We are once again going beyond the rhetoric; the speakers are subject matter experts who will share insights into channeling finance into SDG-related projects. We are not just discussing the critical $10 billion funding gap for the SDGs but we will harness this challenge as an opportunity to attract capital and impact investments into sustainable projects for economic prosperity.
“This year, we are placing a special emphasis on integrating ESG principles into funding strategies, guiding us toward maximizing the returns on these investments. In this discourse, we aim to empower decision-makers with actionable insights, shaping a future where investments lead to impactful change. We will address policy issues and create a roadmap for global progress, unravel the climate geopolitics, drive decarbonisation, mobilise climate finance, and nurture a resilient ecosystem he stated.
Olaniyan added: There is an intensifying urgency to mobilize finance for achieving the SDGs by changing the narrative, telling our sustainability success stories as Nigerians and Africans to the rest of the world noting that aligning with the SDGs holds enormous potential for Nigeria’s socio-economic prosperity.
Olaniyan stated further that the launch of his book, Not a Tick in the Box is one of the activities at this year’s STS event. The book, he said, is a compelling journey into the heart of sustainable business practices. This transformative body of work challenges individuals, businesses, and
stakeholders to go beyond superficial corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts and intentionally integrate sustainability into their core strategies,” he said.
He said, “Through engaging narratives and illustrative examples, Olaniyan illustrates that sustainability is not a mere checkbox exercise but a profound reorientation towards economic prosperity while upholding environmental and social responsibility. This book bridges the gap between profit and the planet, urging readers to embrace a transformative journey that harmonises business success with a better, more responsible, and environmentally conscious
future.” Olaniyan listed IHS Nigeria, Clarence Gate Investment Limited, Ekiti State Government and ACIOE (an advisory services firm) amongst other partners supporting STS 2023, and commended IHS for its strong commitment to sustainability evident in the investment of over $100 million in its Project Green initiative. STS is convened by Avantgarde Innovation and Technology Services Limited, an environmental and sustainability one-stop shop.