PhosAgro : The UN Global Compact’s New International Programme, SDG Ambition, Launches in Russia and Belarus with the Support of PhosAgro

The UN Global Compact's New International Programme, SDG Ambition, Launches in Russia and Belarus with the Support of PhosAgro Moscow - The UN Global Compact's new international programme, SDG Ambition, has officially launched in Russia and Belarus with the support of PhosAgro, a Global Compact member with LEAD status. SDG Ambition offers a six-month accelerator training programme for companies eager to respond to the UN's appeal for more visible and rapid progress on the part of business in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The programme was announced at the global level by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in January 2020 at the World Economic Forum in Davos. By the start of 2021, over 600 companies had been selected from an applicant pool that stretched over 32 countries, and there are now over two dozen SDG Ambition educational tracks currently in operation in UN Global Compact national networks. The Russian national network of the UN Global Compact initiative has joined the programme alongside its counterpart in Belarus, thus forming a new 'Russia & Belarus' track that will unite 29 companies from Russia with 11 from Belarus and bring together leaders from the two nations' economies. The programme itself includes a webinar series, lectures, sessions with local experts, experience using SDG Ambition's online platform, public events and discussions. Alexander Sharabaiko, PhosAgro Deputy CEO for Finance and International Projects, stated that the Company is keen to set a positive example and attract the attention of other Russian businesses to the 2030 Agenda. 'Achieving the SDGs is a priority for the Company's long-term development strategy', said Mr Sharabaiko. 'Along with recognising the importance of all 17 SDGs, PhosAgro has been supporting the implementation of 11 specific ones. In December, PhosAgro's CDP rating, a key indicator from one of the most in-depth studies of companies' climate agendas, was raised from C to B-. In addition, the influential international agency Sustainalytics, in its annual review of ESG risk ratings, raised PhosAgro rating considerably - from 43.8 to 26.9 points - ranking the Company among the top three enterprises in the global agrochemical industry.' Mr Sharabaiko added that PhosAgro, as a producer of eco-friendly mineral fertilizers free of dangerous concentrations of toxic metals, is actively involved in creating a 'Green Standard' for Russian agricultural products. As part of its support, the Company helped found the Green Club, an independent association of manufacturers and suppliers of eco-friendly products. 'We are truly pleased to have the opportunity to partner with SDG Ambition's regional branch and to support the Global Compact national network in implementing this extremely important initiative for our business. I am confident that this international experience will serve as a great example to other Russian companies and encourage them to enhance their focus on ESG', concluded the Deputy CEO for Finance and International Projects.