Investigation and reflection on how the Malaysian based private sector can maximise their contribution towards the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The global community at the United Nations on September 25, 2015 agreed to the 2030 Global Agenda entitled ‘Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for sustainable Development’. This action plan which replaces the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is universal in nature and comprehensive in the range of issues and concerns addressed pertaining to development, economy, human rights and the environment. The theme of ‘no one will be left behind’ is most critical so as to ensure that inclusive development is within the reach of all people groups and communities. However, a review of literature shows that most of the discussions on the SDGs related topic are regarding the concept and content of the SDG agenda. There is negligible literature on the implementation aspects of this agenda, especially in a developing nation like Malaysia. This paper discusses the challenge faced by the actors in the Malaysian business sector with the introduction of the SDGs, reflecting on the potential for maximizing their contribution to achieve the SDGs and on how to transform themselves to adhere to more sustainable and responsible practices, as well on the limitations to change. The study highlights revealed a number of challenges including a gap between the design of the SDGs (including the targets and the indicators) and the needs of businesses, significant measurement difficulties and lack of enough data. The study also highlights some of the gaps that need to be filled by the state actor, and the preparations that the private sector can do in the initial stages, and some low-lying fruits to seize