Eric Kiniti
Group Corporate Relations Director
Group Corporate Relations Director
East African Breweries Limited
Join us for the Business Fights Poverty Global Goals Summit 2025, our annual flagship event taking place during the 80th UN General Assembly. Over three days, we will convene senior leaders from business, civil society, and government in New York and Nairobi, together with a large global online audience.
This year’s theme is Economic Opportunity for All: Decent Jobs and Resilient Livelihoods. In partnership with Barclays, Standard Chartered, the Harvard Kennedy School’s Corporate Responsibility Initiative, and others, we will share practical lessons and co-create solutions for more inclusive and resilient economies.
The Summit will also launch a new Business Fights Poverty Institute report – 5 Bridges to 2045 – setting out how businesses can embed social and environmental impact into core strategy and operations.
What makes this Summit unique is its interactive format of workshops, clinics, and networking; its inclusive reach through multi-location gatherings and a seamless online experience; and its insightful content from leading voices in business and international development.
Be part of the conversation: connect with peers, hear from global innovators, and help shape the next 20 years of business impact.
This session, hosted with Barclays, will explore how AI is reshaping the future of work. Hear from workforce development leaders, Per Scholas, Robin Hood, NationSwell, and corporate voices on how they are adapting programmes to equip learners for the jobs of tomorrow while ensuring access to opportunity.
Join to hear practical insights from innovators bridging AI disruption and workforce readiness, and discover how cross-sector partnerships can create pathways to thriving careers in a rapidly changing economy.
23 Sept | Online | NYC
This fireside chat with Vale explores how the private sector can drive impactful solutions to tackle poverty. Through real-world examples and strategic insights, speakers will discuss how businesses can align purpose with profit, scale inclusive initiatives, and collaborate across sectors to create sustainable change for vulnerable communities.
Gain insights into how businesses can create inclusive solutions to tackle poverty, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, align social impact with strategy, and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and community resilience.
23 Sept | Online | NYC
Hosted with Walmart, this session will explore how to expand MSME growth opportunities in the face of disruption. We will examine strategies for strengthening local supplier networks, enhancing capacity, and building resilient value chains that adapt to shocks while generating long-term economic and social value.
Join to explore practical ways to support MSME growth amid disruption. Gain insights on resilient supply chains, supplier partnerships, and business models that foster innovation, adaptability, and shared prosperity.
23 Sept | Online | NYC
With just five years left to achieve the SDGs, the focus is shifting from promises to practice. This Fireside Chat with Novonesis will examine how businesses can embed sustainability into strategy, moving beyond risk and cost management to creating jobs, strengthening livelihoods and delivering long-term business value.
Hear how companies are shifting from “making the case” to “living the case,” aligning with investor expectations, building resilient supply chains and turning sustainability into a driver of inclusive growth and innovation.
23 Sept | Online | NYC
This Fireside Chat with the Business Fights Poverty Institute will examine regional perspectives on building economic opportunity through decent jobs and resilient livelihoods. Hear from East African Breweries on their Learning for Life programme and from UN Women on Generation Equality. Gain inspiration and practical lessons on how partnerships can overcome barriers and drive inclusive, sustainable livelihoods.
Join this session to learn from regional leaders advancing skills, equality, and opportunity. Discover practical approaches to overcome barriers, foster resilient livelihoods, and drive inclusive growth through business and societal partnerships.
24 Sept | Online | Nairobi
Hosted with Standard Chartered, this panel discussion will explore the demand-side ecosystem for employability in Africa. Focusing on market-responsive skills, employer incentives, and decent work, the conversation will draw insights from Standard Chartered Foundation, real-world examples from business, policy, and youth leaders.
Join to explore practical solutions for connecting young people to decent entry-level jobs, hear from employers, policymakers, and youth voices, and identify actions to strengthen inclusive employability across Africa’s fast-changing labour market.
24 Sept | Online | Nairobi
This session will examine the five bridges identified in the Business Fights Poverty Institute’s new report, 5 Bridges to 2045: connecting social impact to core business, aligning social and environmental agendas, evolving governance, amplifying local voices, and fostering partnerships. Participants will share reflections and practical examples of how these bridges are being built in real-world contexts.
Join to explore the five “bridges” shaping business impact to 2045. Share insights, examples, and lessons with peers, and help co-create pathways for embedding fairness and resilience into business strategy.
23 Sept | Online
Looking ahead, what concrete milestones must we set to embed social and environmental impact into core business practice by 2045? This clinic invites participants to co-create a future-facing timeline—highlighting specific actions, commitments, and turning points that will shape business and society over the next 20 years.
Join to co-design a bold, future-facing timeline for business impact. Share practical actions and milestones, from living wages to circularity, that can accelerate progress towards a just, sustainable economy.
24 Sept | Online | Nairobi
On 25 September, we will be hosting a series of private workshops with partners in New York and London.
98%
We bring together the world’s best thinkers and doers from business, civil society, and international development. Each session is designed to inspire fresh ideas, share practical lessons, and equip you with the tools to drive action.
98% of Summit participants said they learnt something valuable for their work.
97%
Our Summits are designed to get you involved. Instead of sitting passively in rows, you’ll join interactive workshops, clinics, and conversations that encourage you to contribute, challenge ideas, and build meaningful connections with peers both in-person and online.
97% of participants rated our Summit as “good” or “excellent”.
97%
Wherever you are in the world, you can take part. With in-person gatherings in multiple locations and a seamless online experience, our hybrid format ensures every voice can be heard and every perspective adds value.
97% of participants said they would recommend the Summit to colleagues.
At this year’s Summit we will launch the new Business Fights Poverty Institute report – 5 Bridges to 2045.
The report sets out five critical pathways for how business can embed social and environmental impact into core strategy and operations. Each “bridge” highlights a structural gap limiting progress today and offers practical steps and examples to accelerate change. The Report is designed as a guide for action — helping business leaders and partners prioritise what matters most to build a fairer, more resilient future.
🌍 ONLINE
What Bridges Must Business Build to Deliver a Fairer, More Resilient Future?
7.00 to 8.30 am EDT | 12.00 to 1.30 pm BST
This session will examine the five bridges identified in the Business Fights Poverty Institute’s new report, 5 Bridges to 2045: connecting social impact to core business, aligning social and environmental agendas, evolving governance, amplifying local voices, and fostering partnerships. Participants will share reflections and practical examples of how these bridges are being built in real-world contexts.
Join to explore the five “bridges” shaping business impact to 2045. Share insights, examples, and lessons with peers, and help co-create pathways for embedding fairness and resilience into business strategy.
🌍 ONLINE | 🇺🇸 NYC
Economic Opportunity for All
8.30 to 8.45 am EDT | 1.30 to 1.45 pm BST
A welcome from Business Fights Poverty and our hosts for the day, Barclays.
OPENING & WELCOME:
Frances Cabrera, Vice President, Citizenship, Barclays
Zahid and Yvette, Founders, Business Fights Poverty
Will Hines, Director for Development, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
🌍 ONLINE | 🇺🇸 NYC
How Can We Prepare the Workforce for an AI-Driven Future?
8.45 to 10.00 am EDT | 1.45 to 3.00 pm BST
Hosted with Barclays
This session, hosted with Barclays, will explore how AI is reshaping the future of work. Hear from workforce development leaders, Per Scholas, Robin Hood, NationSwell, and corporate voices on how they are adapting programmes to equip learners for the jobs of tomorrow while ensuring access to opportunity.
Join to hear practical insights from innovators bridging AI disruption and workforce readiness, and discover how cross-sector partnerships can create pathways to thriving careers in a rapidly changing economy.
PANELLISTS:
Greg Behrman, Founder & CEO, NationSwell
Chymeka Olfonse, Managing Director, Adults & Household Supports, Robin Hood
Caitlyn Brazill, President, Per Scholas
Dr. John Frey, Senior Director & Chief Technologist, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
MODERATOR:
John Kenny, Vice President, Citizenship, Barclays
CLOSING REMARKS:
Mark Thain, Head of Citizenship, Barclays
🌍 ONLINE | 🇺🇸 NYC
How can the private sector accelerate and converge efforts to tackle poverty?
10.00 to 10.45 am EDT | 3.00 to 3.45 pm BST
Hosted with Vale
This fireside chat with Vale explores how the private sector can drive impactful solutions to tackle poverty. Through real-world examples and strategic insights, speakers will discuss how businesses can align purpose with profit, scale inclusive initiatives, and collaborate across sectors to create sustainable change for vulnerable communities.
Gain insights into how businesses can create inclusive solutions to tackle poverty, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, align social impact with strategy, and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and community resilience.
INTERVIEWER:
Yvette Torres-Rahman, Co-Founder and CFO, Business Fights Poverty
🌍 ONLINE | 🇺🇸 NYC
Community Networking
10.45 to 11.15 am EDT | 3.45 to 4.15 pm BST
A chance to meet other members of the community, with structured sessions for our online and in-person participants.
🌍 ONLINE | 🇺🇸 NYC
How Can We Expand MSME Growth Opportunities in the Face of Disruption?
11.15 am to 12.30 pm EDT | 4.15 to 5.30 pm BST
Hosted with Walmart
Hosted with Walmart, this session will explore how to expand MSME growth opportunities in the face of disruption. We will examine strategies for strengthening local supplier networks, enhancing capacity, and building resilient value chains that adapt to shocks while generating long-term economic and social value.
Join to explore practical ways to support MSME growth amid disruption. Gain insights on resilient supply chains, supplier partnerships, and business models that foster innovation, adaptability, and shared prosperity.
PANELLISTS:
Dan Bryant, EVP Global Public Policy & Government Affairs, Walmart
🌍 ONLINE | 🇺🇸 NYC
How Can Companies Turn Sustainability into Jobs, Livelihoods and Lasting Business Value?
12.30 to 1.15 pm EDT | 5.30 to 6.15 pm BST
Hosted with Novonesis
With just five years left to achieve the SDGs, the focus is shifting from promises to practice. This Fireside Chat with Novonesis will examine how businesses can embed sustainability into strategy, moving beyond risk and cost management to creating jobs, strengthening livelihoods and delivering long-term business value.
Hear how companies are shifting from “making the case” to “living the case,” aligning with investor expectations, building resilient supply chains and turning sustainability into a driver of inclusive growth and innovation.
INTERVIEWEES:
Morten Enggaard Rasmussen, EVP People & Stakeholder Relations, Novonesis
INTERVIEWER:
Ilze Melngailis, Senior Adviser, Business Fights Poverty
🇺🇸 NYC
How Can Business Help Drive Economic Opportunity for All?
1.15 to 2.30 pm EDT
Marking the launch of a flagship Business Fights Poverty Institute report, this session will unpack our “5 Bridges to 2045” framework. Using real-world examples, we will explore practical strategies for connecting business functions, aligning environmental and social goals, engaging employees and communities, and fostering collaboration across sectors.
Enjoy a working lunch while gaining fresh insights from leading practitioners. Connect with peers, exchange ideas and explore actionable strategies for driving systemic change, amplifying impact and advancing economic opportunity for all.
🌍 ONLINE
What Actions Today Will Shape a Just and Sustainable Business Future by 2045?
1.00 to 2.30 pm EAT | 11.00 to 12.30 pm BST
Looking ahead, what concrete milestones must we set to embed social and environmental impact into core business practice by 2045? This clinic invites participants to co-create a future-facing timeline—highlighting specific actions, commitments, and turning points that will shape business and society over the next 20 years.
Join to co-design a bold, future-facing timeline for business impact. Share practical actions and milestones, from living wages to circularity, that can accelerate progress towards a just, sustainable economy.
🌍 ONLINE | 🇰🇪 NAIROBI
How Can Regional Partnerships Unlock Economic Opportunity for All?
2.30 to 3.25 pm EAT | 12.30 to 1.25 pm BST
This Fireside Chat will examine regional perspectives on building economic opportunity through decent jobs and resilient livelihoods. Hear from East African Breweries on their Learning for Life programme and from UN Women on Generation Equality. Gain inspiration and practical lessons on how partnerships can overcome barriers and drive inclusive, sustainable livelihoods.
Join this session to learn from regional leaders advancing skills, equality, and opportunity. Discover practical approaches to overcome barriers, foster resilient livelihoods, and drive inclusive growth through business and societal partnerships.
INTERVIEWEES:
Anna Mutavati, Regional Director, East and Southern Africa, UN Women
Eric Kiniti, Group Corporate Relations Director, East African Breweries Limited
INTERVIEWER:
Zahid Torres-Rahman, Co-Founder and CEO, Business Fights Poverty
🌍 ONLINE | 🇰🇪 NAIROBI
Community Networking
3.25 to 3.45 am EAT | 1.25 to 1.45 pm BST
A chance to meet other members of the community, with structured sessions for our online and in-person participants.
🌍 ONLINE | 🇰🇪 NAIROBI | 🇺🇸 NYC
How Can We Unlock Decent Jobs for Underserved Young People in Africa?
3.45 to 5.10 pm EAT | 8.45 to 10.10 am EDT | 1.45 to 3.10 pm BST
Hosted with Standard Chartered
Hosted with Standard Chartered, this panel discussion will explore the demand-side ecosystem for employability in Africa. Focusing on market-responsive skills, employer incentives, and decent work, the conversation will draw insights from Standard Chartered Foundation, real-world examples from business, policy, and youth leaders.
Join to explore practical solutions for connecting young people to decent entry-level jobs, hear from employers, policymakers, and youth voices, and identify actions to strengthen inclusive employability across Africa’s fast-changing labour market.
🌍 ONLINE | 🇰🇪 NAIROBI | 🇺🇸 NYC
Final Reflections
5.10 to 5.15 pm EAT | 10.10 to 10.15 am EDT | 3.10 TO 3.15 pm BST
Final reflections from Business Fights Poverty and our hosts for the day, Standard Chartered.
Eric Kiniti
Group Corporate Relations Director
Group Corporate Relations Director
East African Breweries Limited
Beth Jenkins
Senior Adviser
Senior Adviser
Business Fights Poverty
Mark Thain
Head of Citizenship
Head of Citizenship
Barclays
Dr. John Frey
Senior Director & Chief Technologist
Senior Director & Chief Technologist
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Caitlyn Brazill
President
President
Per Scholas
Will Hines
Director for Development
Director for Development
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Anna Mutavati
Regional Director, East and Southern Africa
Regional Director, East and Southern Africa
UN Women
Åsa Skogström Feldt
Managing Director
Managing Director
IKEA Social Entrepreneurship BV
Martín Burt
Founder and Executive Director
Founder and Executive Director
Fundación Paraguaya
John Kenny
Vice President, Citizenship
Vice President, Citizenship
Barclays
Chymeka Olfonse
Managing Director, Adults & Household Supports
Managing Director, Adults & Household Supports
Robin Hood
Greg Behrman
Founder & CEO
Founder & CEO
NationSwell
Natasha Kwakwa
Global Head, Community Impact
Global Head, Community Impact
Standard Chartered Bank
Frances Cabrera
Vice President, Citizenship
Vice President, Citizenship
Barclays
Morten Enggaard Rasmussen
Executive Vice President, People & Stakeholder Relations,
Executive Vice President, People & Stakeholder Relations,
Novonesis
Dan Bryant
Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy and Government Affairs
Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy and Government Affairs
Walmart Inc
Ilze Melngailis
Senior Adviser
Senior Adviser
Business Fights Poverty
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Apply to join us in New York on 23 Sep or Nairobi on 24 Sep. Places are limited.
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