LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (December 9, 2022) — At UN headquarters, the United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) co-hosted its 5th United in Sustainability (UIS) Summit in November. The hybrid event drew more than 300 credit union representatives from across the Americas to discuss support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Organization of American States Federal Credit Union (OAS FCU) co-hosted the event.
“As cooperatives, credit unions have an important role in localizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said keynote speaker Jamil Ahmad, director of the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) New York Office. “We look forward to following the UIS Network’s collective action on building more climate resilient, economically-empowered, and inclusive communities.”
The UIS Network was founded by UNFCU in 2018 to provide credit unions in the US with tools and resources to advance the SDGs. Today, more than 100 credit unions are active participants of the UIS Network. They meet regularly to discuss community leadership, amplifying impact though collaboration, and influencing the credit union industry. Members of the UIS Network have access to resources from the UN Global Compact, UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), and the Women’s Empowerment Principles. For more information, visit uisnetwork.org.
“By providing a platform for financial cooperatives to start or advance their sustainability journeys, UNFCU is growing a movement,” said Yma Gordon, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility & Impact at UNFCU. “In 2023, through the UIS Network, we plan to continue this momentum. The roadmap includes more green financial products, advanced reporting on carbon footprints, and influencing our supply chains.”
“The 2022 United in Sustainability Summit opened my eyes to the Environmental, Social, and Governance progress being made by credit unions, both across North America and further afield,” said Gavin Landless, vice president of Risk Management at Empower Federal Credit Union in Syracuse, New York. “The time is now for serious leadership in equitable risk-based environmental sustainability. The UIS Summit plays a vital role in bringing us together to become sustainability leaders for our communities.”
At the UIS Summit, more than 30 experts shared best practices on sustainability. Participants learned about green solutions; climate resiliency strategies; and the positive community impact of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. For the first time, participants expanded beyond North America to include Brazilian credit unions and the Fenasbac Institute, part of the Brazilian Central Bank ecosystem.
(l-r) Pamela Agnone, executive vice president, UNFCU; the Honorable Rodney Hood, NCUA; Jamil Ahmad, Director, New York Office UN Environment Programme; Yma Gordon, vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility & Impact, UNFCU, at UN NY Headquarters
UNFCU is the member-owned credit union of the United Nations community. UNFCU was founded in 1947 and serves more than 168,000 members across the globe. In 2015, it established the UNFCU Foundation, an accredited New York-based nonprofit corporation.
Elisabeth Philippe, UNFCU, ephilippe@unfcu.com, +1 347-686-6776 or mobile: +1 347-510-4036
