In collaboration with the United Nations Foundation, the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and companies like Nestle and Novozymes, Essity invited experts and executives from the UN, government, business and non- governmental organizations to discuss the relationship between policy and investments that drive progress toward SDG implementation.

Essity’s president and CEO, Magnus Groth, opened the meeting, highlighting the importance of collaborating and concentrating efforts in order to achieve the SDGs and make a real impact for individuals, business and society at large. Discussions were held and collaboration models explored, with a particular focus on achieving SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all and SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Also included was a plenary presentation of the just-launched paper "Advocating Together for the SDGs: How Civil Society and business are joining voices to change policy, attitudes and practices". This was presented by Zahid Torres Rahman, founder and CEO of Business Fights Poverty, one of the signatories of the report.

At Essity we believe that the work aimed at fulfilling the SDGs will make the world a little better at the same time as it creates good business opportunities for companies around the world. Not least in the fields of health, hygiene and sanitation, where we have outstanding expertise. We are determined to do what we can to contribute to achieving the SDGs. Read more about how

Magnus Groth closed the session together with Michael Møller, the Director-General of the United Nations Office in Geneva.