Caroline Petit from the United Nations Regional Information Centre opened the Products of Change Conference with an address to attendees and to the brand and licensing industry on its vital role in sustainable development.
Continuing POC’s partnership with the United Nations, Caroline Petit, deputy director, UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe, opened the POC Conference 2025 with a keynote speech.
She addressed the room as a “Vibrant community of creative minds, entrepreneurs and innovators,” and how they have all come together with the shared objective to drive positive change in the industry through smart and sustainable ideas.
“It is time. It is needed,” said Caroline.
She added that there is a growing movement of industries that understand how much consumers and young generations care how products are made and the values they represent, and therefore the work POC does is more important than ever.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the UN and a decade since the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted, acting as a bold promise to leave no one behind.
Achieving the SDGs involves major investments and strong and powerful partnerships – “which is where you come in,” she said.
The brand and licensing industry has an important role to play in this: whether it be raising awareness, showing impact, or connecting with mainstream consumers and communities, embedding goals into business practices.
“You have the creativity and the reach to drive change,” Caroline asserted.
When product and packaging are designed responsibly, they do more than attract consumers, they spark conversation, shift mindsets and can influence decisions at the highest levels, explained Caroline, something which we are seeing already.
“They aren’t just products or stories – they are catalysts for change,” said Caroline, adding that she was looking forward to learning more about the innovative ways the POC Community are advancing the SDGs to make our industry greener, more inclusive and relevant to the world we live in.
Caroline’s main message to attendees was to: “Create product with people and planet, not just for them,” as the greatest impact is when consumers and communities are genuine partners in shaping them.
The achievements so far show that change is possible, and with five years to go until 2030, “we need to act with urgency and unity to transform life everywhere.”
The world is now turning towards COP30, a reminder that progress happens faster and better when we work together, so “Together lets continue shaping a more sustainable, inclusive and hopeful future,” Caroline said.
Conference ticket holders can watch back the full Conference here with your unique passcode you can find in your emails (contact hello@productsofchange.com if any issues). You can also still purchase a digital Conference ticket and get full access to all the recordings of the day here.
