An Indian social entrepreneur working for women’s welfare has been nominated among 10 "champions and pioneers" by UN chief Ban Ki-moon for sustainable development goals.

Zubaida Bai, the founder of 'ayzh', a for-profit social organization was named under the 10 '2016 Global Compact SDG Pioneers'. It is an initiative launched by UN to search for "entrepreneurs" who can play a pivotal role. The ayzh is providing health and livelihood solutions to impoverished women across the world.

The world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, the UN Global Compact, helps companies to do business responsibly by aligning their strategies and operations with ten principles of  human rights, environment and anti-corruption; labour, and to take strategic actions to advance broader societal goals, like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with an emphasis on collaboration and innovation.

The UN secretary announced the 10 pioneers at the Global Compact Leaders Summit. Congratulating the honorees, Ban said that he counts on their "strong commitment and engagement" to help businesses seize the opportunities of the SDG era.

Ban said that, "All of you are leaders in the campaign for a world without poverty, a thriving planet, a vibrant and inclusive global economy and a life of dignity for all.”

"This is the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals, agreed upon by the Member States of the UN in September last year," he said at the summit.

"We are at a decisive moment in the shift to sustainable and inclusive markets," continued the Secretary-General.

"All businesses, everywhere, can and should play a role in improving our world. That starts with integrity doing business right," he said.  

Nandini