Unicaja Banco has reaffirmed its commitment to the Business Observatory for the Achievement of the 2030 Agenda (OECA), established in 2019 by the Confederación de Empresarios de Andalucía (CEA, Andalusian Confederation of Business Owners) and which develops actions to contribute to compliance by the private sector with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With this goal, the bank and CEA have entered into a collaboration agreement which will allow them to continue to promote actions to face the social, economic and environmental challenges of globalization.
The collaboration agreement has been signed by the Chairman of Unicaja Banco, Manuel Azuaga, and by the Chairman of the Andalusian Confederation of Business Owners, Javier González de Lara. It reflects the close relationship between both institutions, which share the common goals of promoting the business fabric, facilitating the economic, social and environmental boost and supporting employment in Andalusia.
Both entities are interested in establishing, through this economic, business and social observatory, lines of action to achieve a productive fabric that benefits from the opportunities currently offered by sustainability and sustainable finances, favoring, in this line, the creation and consolidation of sustainable companies.
OECA’s action plan
In particular, according to OECA’s action plan, the commitment reflected with this agreement is to foster, among other initiatives, actions to promote and raise awareness on the SDGs, with the organization or participation in forums, workshops, seminars, etc.
Thus, at least the II Business Forum on Sustainable Development Goals will be organized in Malaga, as well as an annual edition of the ‘Sostenibles 2030’ Awards by OECA.
All of these actions have the purpose of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development -approved in 2015 by all member states of the United Nations and which includes the 17 SDGs- in the Andalusian society and, especially, in companies, so as to favor general welfare and contribute to the generation of wealth and employment in Andalusia.
Support to businesses
For Unicaja Banco, businesses in general and SMEs in particular are key groups in its financing policy. One of the bank’s priority commercial axes is providing funding to businesses, which are a key driver to make the economy more dynamic and to stimulate job creation.
As reflected in its Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, Unicaja Banco is committed to compliance with the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
More specifically, Unicaja Banco signed the UN Global Compact and is member of the Spanish UN Global Compact Network, and it incorporates the 2030 Agenda into its Sustainability and CSR strategy, contributing to achieve those SDGs which are more related to its activity and financial institution and its social and environmental commitment. The bank also participates in the International Training Center for Authorities and Leaders (Cifal) in Malaga, belonging to United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
CEA is the most important and representative business organization in Andalusia, where it brings together more than 180,000 companies and freelancers and 800 territorial and sectorial organizations.
Member of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), CEA carries out its work of dialogue with the public administration and the rest of the social agents, and its promotes the business culture in Andalusia. And it does so from its vocation to accompany and serve the people who make business, with the conviction that they must be at the heart of the public agenda as a lever for employment and guarantors of the development of Andalusia.
With OECA, headed by journalist and communicator Manuel Bellido, CEA works for the implementation of the SDGs from the business fabric and delves into the commitment to the environment and the social function of companies.
