Telecommunications provider Flow has established a partnership with the United Nations Barbados and Eastern Caribbean in support of the UN global #ActNow campaign, an initiative aimed at promoting urgent action towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The partnership will prioritise, among other things, equality, environmental safety and connectivity across St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
The partnership, which is part of a UN sub-regional private sector initiative, was formalised during a recent meeting under the leadership of La Fleur Quammie, the UN’s Country Coordination Officer for SVG,and Wayne Hull, country manager of Flow.
September 2023 marked the 7th anniversary and the half-way point since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Quammie said there was regression on SDG progress because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the 2021 eruption of La Soufriere and other exogenous shocks that affected the national economy and livelihoods of Vincentians.
“Therefore, the #ActNow global campaign was developed to empower people to act for the SDGs, raise awareness of the SDGs, and build a movement for change,” she said.
As part of the newly-formed relationship, Flow will promote and support the work of the UN and its country office in SVG through a communications campaign to drive awareness of the SDGs among the Vincentian population.
“The Act Now initiative is a pivotal moment for Flow as we continue to expand our global presence while remaining dedicated to providing innovative solutions to connect people, organisations, businesses and communities,” Hull said.
“We are very excited to launch this partnership with the UN Country Office here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, supporting the ‘ACT NOW’ campaign for the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We are aligned and committed to supporting a sustainable future for our society and the wider global community.”
Flow will also host an internal team driven community event that focuses on improving the connectivity of underprivileged communities throughout SVG, and the company will fund a nationwide community group competition geared towards achieving one of the Sustainable Development Goals, among others.
“From the top of our organisation, our company is committed wholeheartedly to the goals and outcome of the SDGs by these bold pledges we have made to the regional and global community where we operate,” Hull added.
Quammie thanked Flow St. Vincent for joining the campaign and reaffirmed the United Nations’ committed support to private entities in fulfilling their corporate social responsibilities and the national development priorities of SVG.