At a private-sector roundtable in The Hague today, Brent Wilton, secretary general of the International Organization of Employers (IOE), part of USCIB’s global network, appealed to a UN high-level panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda to urge governments to provide enabling conditions for the private sector to thrive, create jobs and generate wealth.

The event was attended by Princess Máxima of the Netherlands in her capacity as the UN Secretary General’s special advocate for inclusive finance for development, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, along with top government and private-sector representatives.

Speaking for the IOE’s global membership, Wilton said that the best way for the private sector to contribute to the realization of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and post-2015 development agenda, was to “enable business to do what it does best.” Removing barriers to SME development, facilitating access to financing, promoting the respect of property rights and women’s economic empowerment would make it easier for business to become a more effective partner in the development process.

This view was also expressed by Princess Máxima, who stated her strong commitment to seeing women entrepreneurs being provided with greater access to investment capital as a core priority, particularly in the context of SMEs.

Read more on the IOE’s website.

Staff contacts: Norine Kennedy and Adam Greene