USCIB member since 1996, Microsoft has recently established a New York office to liaise with the United Nations. Norine Kennedy, who leads USCIB work on strategic international engagement, energy and environment, conducted a (virtual) interview with the head of this new office— John Frank, Vice President for UN Affairs. Kennedy welcomed Frank to NY and they discussed Microsoft’s strategic vision for an enhanced presence at the UN, and invited his perspective on what American innovation, engagement and sustainability leadership can bring to the international community.
Microsoft’s establishment of a UN Affairs Office to liaise directly with the UN is a unique endeavor. When discussing the thought process behind this initiative, Frank explained, “Many of the big challenges facing society can only be addressed effectively through multi-stakeholder action,” and highlighted the essential role that multilateral cooperation can have in addressing public health, environmental sustainability, cybersecurity, terrorist content online and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that the UN General Assembly High Level week brings many stakeholders, including business, to New York but that the work continues after High Level Week. For this reason, Microsoft decided it was paramount to be in New York year-round.
“Establishing our representation office with people based in New York and Geneva is the next natural step for a company that values multilateralism and multi-stakeholder solutions to global challenges,” Frank continued.
Additionally, Frank and Kennedy discussed the far-reaching impact CVOID-19 has had and Microsoft’s plans to engage the UN in a resilient and sustainable recovery. Microsoft’s UN Affairs team is focused on supporting and promoting cooperation with the UN to advance progress in six key areas: climate action; human rights; strong institutions; decent work and economic growth; quality education; and broadband availability and accessibility. Furthermore, Microsoft’s partnerships support the Secretary-General’s plan for a comprehensive UN response to COVID-19 to save lives, protect societies, and recover better. Microsoft has partnered with the WHO to develop big data solutions that will greatly increase the scientific capacity of WHO to address COVID-19 and future health challenges; increased digital inclusivity by promoting innovative, lower-cost solutions to bring broadband access to rural Africa; partnered with UNICEF and the University of Cambridge in developing a Learning Passport to provide education for internally displaced and refugee children through a digital remote learning platform; and partnered with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Rights View, which helps the Office monitor human rights developments around the world.
When it comes to climate change, Microsoft has decided to go beyond reducing their carbon footprint by reversing their environmental impact, with a focus on carbon, water, biodiversity, and waste. Microsoft helped form the NetZero Coalition to share aspirations and operational experiences so that eventually, small, medium and large size organizations can learn how to implement programs that are economically sound, and ambitiously reduce carbon emissions.
“We seem to be at an inflection point where the weaknesses of our global governance systems have been highlighted, but the reforms have not been elaborated and agreed. The missions of many global institutions are important to the USCIB members, and it’s an opportune time to reimagine how global governance can become more inclusive and effective.”
Frank and Kennedy covered a range of other topics, including the digital economy and cybersecurity. To read the interview in its entirety, click here.
To visit Microsoft’s UN Affairs microsite, click here.