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
About the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030
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.
