Ending poverty in all its forms is the first of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Projections for Goal 1 show a missed target in 2030, even before the onset and growth of the global challenges over the past few years. The pandemic has caused unprecedented reversals in poverty reduction, further exacerbated by the effects of violent conflicts around the world, international aid across the world is decreasing,  and we see increasing challenges posed by climate change, especially to low-income countries and communities. Clearly, ending poverty is a major challenge that demands engagement from all parts of society.

In this context, the Misum Forum 2022, a multi-stakeholder conference, turns to the role and responsibility of business and industry in alleviating poverty. With production and engagements in many low-income countries, businesses play a key role in taking responsibility for contributing to people’s livelihoods and well-being. Industry leaders from Swedish and international companies engaged in dialogue on this important topic and their work related to SDG1. High-level international academics presented research on topics at the intersection of business and poverty reduction. Together, they discussed research findings and business practices, as well as possible ways forward, for the corporate world to contribute to reducing poverty, especially where it is most severe.