AstraZeneca joins forces with the United Nations Global Compact as the first Healthcare company in Saudi Arabia to promote sustainability

AstraZeneca (AZ), the innovative pharmaceutical leader, announces its ground-breaking collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Saudi Chapter, intensifying its commitment towards sustainability and shaping a resilient healthcare future.

In line with its continuous commitment to the UNGC and its Ten Principles, AstraZeneca has made these principles a vital part of its strategy, culture, and day-to-day operations. This partnership, which reaffirms AstraZeneca’s decade-long association with UNGC, focuses on driving sustainabilitylocally. The partnership was formalised through a signing ceremony at the Global Sustainable Development Congress held at KAUST in Jeddah on May 31st, 2023.

Aligning its mission of health and contribution to society with sustainable ecosystems for healthcare, AstraZeneca usesscience-based innovation to positively impact people, society, and planet. With sustainability embedded across its operations - from lab to patient - the company aims to shape a sustainable healthcare future in the region.

The company proudly participates in UNGC initiatives, including the Business Ambition for Climate and Health, where it has recently become a Patron sponsor.

AstraZeneca is dedicated to achieving its 'Ambition Zero Carbon' mission, intending to reach zero carbon emissions from its operations globally by 2025 and ensure its entire value chain is carbon negative by 2030. These ambitious plans underline the company's commitment to the UNGC’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign and AstraZeneca's science-based climate targets.

Sameh El Fangary, GCC and Pakistan Cluster President, AstraZeneca, said, ““We are proud to be the first company in the healthcare industry to join the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Saudi Chapter to begin collaborating towards tackling climate change, leveraging health equity, and building resilience in the healthcare system across the Kingdom in line with its Vision 2030 and beyond. Our impact is far greater when we support organizations, governments, and healthcare systems across GCC to transition to more resilient, and carbon-free systems for all; making health happen for people, society, and the planet.”

The United Nations Global Compact provides an invaluable platform for companies to navigate responsible business practices across diverse landscapes. The Compact facilitates outreach, fosters learning, encourages policy discussions, and drives collective action. This partnership strongly aligns with AstraZeneca's commitment to sustainability in Saudi Arabia.

Maryam Telmesani, Board Chair of Global Compact Network Saudi Arabia said” Today, the Saudi network of UNGC welcomes AstraZeneca as the first company to join the Saudi Network from the healthcare sector. This will help us grow our impact across sectors to assure advancing the overall sustainability agenda of Vision 2030 and the SDGs. The healthcare plays a vital role not only on the people part, but also to the economy and the environment. Together, I believe we will lead the change towards a more sustainable sector with innovative solutions driven by the growth-oriented leadership of AstraZeneca.”

AstraZeneca firmly believes that an integral part of healthcare delivery involves everyone playing their part. Through this partnership with UNGC, the company is committed to driving change, reducing carbon emissions, and building healthier ecosystems to ensure a greener tomorrow.