Global Leaders Unite at Inaugural CEO Forum to Address Key Industry Challenges
Paris, June 13, 2023 – The Watch, Jewellery, and ESG sectors witnessed a momentous gathering as sixty-seven global leaders convened at the first annual WJI 2030 CEO Forum, held at Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain in Paris on Tuesday, June 13th. The event provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the most pressing issues facing the industry today.
Distinguished experts including Guillaume Charlin, Managing Director & Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG); Aron Cramer, President & CEO of BSR; Dr. Anino Emuwa, Managing Director of Avandis Consulting; and Georg Kell, Chairman Arabesque and Founder of UN Global Compact, shared their insights on the current state of business and strategies for navigating changes.
The CEOs emphasized the significance of focusing on long-term trends that impact frameworks, stressing the importance of well-prepared leadership in successfully navigating these changes.
Mr. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International, delivered a keynote address, highlighting the rapidity of change in international climate and biodiversity regulations. He expressed optimism about the adoption of new legislation and the positive transition that has occurred, despite the sobering reality that the average species has experienced a 70% decline in population and native range within a single generation.
Mr. Sanjayan underscored the significance of recent landmark treaties, such as the High Seas treaty and COP27, which demonstrated global commitment to joint rules for managing ocean trade and combating climate change. He urged attendees to recognize the urgency of the moment, emphasizing that every second counts in this decade.
Frederic Grangie, President of CHANEL Horlogerie-Joaillerie, shared the business case of CHANEL, emphasizing sustainability as the optimal approach to preserving a quality product. He highlighted the enduring relationships the family-owned business has nurtured with suppliers over a century.
When queried about the company’s goals, Mr. Grangie expressed a commitment to caring for those within their supply chain and safeguarding women’s autonomy, spanning from make-up to high jewelry.
CEOs engaged in collaborative exercises, envisioning the role of Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 (WJI 2030) in furthering their sustainability progress. They emphasized the vital roles of trust and transparency in achieving collective success.
In her closing remarks, Iris Maria Alexis Van der Veken, Executive Director and Secretary General of WJI 2030, emphasized the need for industry-wide transparency in reporting and alignment with international best practices. She encouraged CEOs to serve as ambassadors, empowering their teams and investing in sustainable projects to ensure a prosperous future.
WJI 2030 extends its heartfelt appreciation to Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain for hosting the CEO Forum, as well as Cyrille Vigneron, Marie-Claire Daveu, and Iris Maria Alexis Van der Veken for setting the stage for the year of impactful action that lies ahead.
More information: www.wjinitiative2030.org
Press contact: press@wjinitiative2030.org
Driven by a common conviction that the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aspirations for a sustainable industry can only be achieved through collaborative efforts, the Watch and Jewellery Initiative 2030 has been launched by Cartier and Kering.
The Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, Member of the Global Compact and signatory of the Women Empowerment Principles is a global initiative open to all Watch and Jewellery players with a national or international footprint committed to a common core of key sustainability goals in three areas: building climate resilience, preserving resources, and fostering inclusiveness.
Paris, France June 12th 2023 – The Watch and Jewellery Initiative 2030, founded by Kering and Cartier, is mobilizing companies and key stakeholders in the sector to accelerate positive impact in building climate resilience, preserving resources and fostering inclusiveness to deliver a positive impact on people and the planet.
At a C-level roundtable, hosted by Kering, 40 companies from across the jewellery and watch value chain discussed private sector action to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. This roundtable took place one day before the first WJI 2030 CEO Forum with the theme ‘CEO Leadership in the Age of Trust and Transparency’.
During opening remarks Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, noted the importance of private sector action to achieve the 2030 Agenda:
“Leading private sector voices are important because they have a unique opportunity to accelerate the 2030 agenda by minimizing any harmful effects of business on the environment; treating staff and customers fairly, without discrimination and obeying laws and doing the right thing for the places and the people where they operate throughout the supply chain.”
Also speaking during the event, Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of International Institutional Affairs at Kering, and WJI 2030 Board Co-Chair said “By leveraging an extensive network of partners including UNGC, UN Women WEPs, ESG book, WJI 2030 seeks to address challenges and catalyze long-term solutions. We need to act now and accelerate. No one can do this alone, sustainability is a collective journey.”
Cyrille Vigneron, President & CEO, Cartier SA and WJI2030 Board Co-Chair said “As the watch and jewellery sector relies on the earth’s precious resources and people’s know-how around the world within its value chains, it is imperative to act together. Our collaboration with United Nations Global Compact will guide the sector with the right tools and expertise through the entire value chains.”
Iris Van der Veken- Executive Director & Secretary General, Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 said “In alignment with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals priorities, WJI 2030 will foster collaboration on multi stakeholder initiatives that support the implementation of the 2030 agenda to drive forward socio-economic transformation across the global jewelry & watch value chain. Education is key. The first modules of introduction to the SDGs and the Human Rights Navigator will be launched in September in the UNGC Solutions Lab during the week of the General Assembly. Our strong collaboration with CIBJO and BJOP will support us in the implementation.”
WJI 2030 will also play a key role in driving the gender and the D&I agenda forward in the global jewellery & watch industry. A taskforce is in development under the leadership of Dr. Anino Emuwa, Founder, 100 Women @ Davos to shape the roadmap ahead. A call for interest to join will be launched in September.
Cartier, delegated by Richemont, and Kering launched the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 driven by a common conviction that the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aspirations for a sustainable industry can only be achieved through collaborative initiatives. The global initiative is open to all watch and jewellery players with a national or international footprint. WJI 2030, member of the Global Compact and WEPs Signatory, is committed to a common core of key sustainability goals in three areas: building climate resilience, preserving resources, and fostering inclusiveness. The association is based in Maison de La Paix in Geneva. For more information, visit our website www.wjinitiative2030.org