The Association for Supporting the SDGs for the United Nations (ASD), established in 2011, is an international non-governmental organization in special consultative status with the ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council) since 2015. The association cooperates with the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) and the United Nations Project Office on Governance (UNPOG) for the expansion and implementation of the SDGs. Nations Messenger of Peace, Malala Yousafzai agreed to collaborate with ASD in the Global initiatives to promote SDGs in March 2018. Furthermore, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development and Chief Economist, Elliot Harris stated that ASD has significantly contributed to the work of the United Nations and that he strongly endorses its activities on SDGs promotion.

ASD annually (each in October and February) publishes the Sustainable Development Goal Business Index (SDGBI) and Guidelines for Reducing Plastic Waste (GRP) of approximately 2,000 major corporations. The SDGBI was developed to provide enterprises with guidelines to maintain sustainable management and get closer to SDGs goals, through the consultation process with the UN Special Advisor of the Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning. Its purpose is to help them improve their global strategies in the perspective of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria, environmental management, sustainable management, and social contribution. In particular, ASD selects and announces the ‘Global Sustainable Leaders 100’ & ‘ Global Sustainable Brands 100’ every July with a prize on the ‘SDGs implementing corporation’.

ASD has encouraged cooperative efforts with the President of the General Assembly, member states and co-facilitators. Written statements by the ASD have officially been adopted by the UN at major UN Commissions and HLPF. Amina J. Mohammed, Special Adviser of the UN Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning, recognized ASD for its contribution towards the 2030 agenda, and urged to continue implementation of the agenda through local action. Mohammed urged to share the association’s experiences and lessons with the UN HLPF and intergovernmental entities. Furthermore, Eliott Harris, UN Assistant Secretary-General & Chief Economist at UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, commended the Association for “its participation, including the submission of written statements to the Economic and Social Council and its functional Commissions.” in an official congratulatory remark. Through its active cooperation with the United Nations and its subsidiary bodies, ASD has strengthened its capacity in the promotion of the SDGs.

ASD is committed to building networks on SDGs implementation among major global enterprises and governments, urging the National Assembly of the member states to promote the SDGs, the world’s largest blueprint to achieve human prosperity and global environmental protection. To encourage more stakeholders to join the SDGs effort, ASD analyzes the sustainability business index of the leading global companies and evaluates the best practices. ASD has introduced SDGs-related initiatives to the Korea National Assembly and major corporations by participating in the United Nations’ High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) for Sustainable Development, the United Nations General Assembly, and major committees of the Economic and Social Council. It has brought sustainable, socially responsible, and environmentally friendly business models of associated corporations to the attention of the UN at such conferences. Concurrently, Korea’s sustainable management practices have been introduced to member states of the UN which have been officially adopted by the UN several times.

CJ, KT, LG Electronics, SK hynix, Korean Air, Hyundai Engineering, UNIQUEST, UCC (Union Corporate Committee), The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Association for Supporting the SDGs for the UN (ASD)