United Exports achieves best-in-class 2X Certification for gender equality

United Exports has been awarded Best-in-Class certification under the 2X Certification program, the global standard for assessing gender-smart practices in business. The certification recognizes the company's leading efforts to advance gender equality across its operations and value chain, placing United Exports among a select group of entities worldwide recognized for the breadth and depth of their gender-inclusive practices.

The 2X Certification was launched by 2X Global in September 2024 to assess and recognize organizations actively implementing gender-smart practices. 2X Global's roots trace back to the 2X Challenge, launched at the 2018 G7 Summit in support of UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality, and the organization was later formed through the merger of GenderSmart and the 2X Collaborative.

The 2X Challenge has since become the global industry standard for structuring investments that include, empower, and create access for women, and 2X Certification extends that standard into a rigorous, third-party verified assessment aligned with global ESG and impact measurement frameworks.

United Exports is betting on women in ag

United Exports' pursuit of 2X Certification reflects a longstanding commitment to gender equality across its operations. FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, is United Exports’ primary lending partner, alongside the IFC (International Finance Corporation), which supported the training and initial assessment for United Exports ahead of the formal 2X process. Certification followed a rigorous self-assessment, independently verified by Value for Women, before being formally awarded by 2X Global.

Founder and executive chairman of United Exports, Roger Horak, comments, “This certification is an important, independently verified milestone in a journey we’ve been on for some time. We have long believed that investing in our female employees and gender equality – in their leadership, their safety and their opportunities to grow – is both the right thing to do and good for our business. Being recognized as Best-in-Class by 2X Global tells our staff, and tells our partners and customers, that this commitment is real and measurable, not just a statement of intent.”

He adds, “Reducing inequality is one of our key ESG focus areas, and gender equality sits at the heart of that. This certification builds directly on the leadership development work we have already done with our female employees, and we intend to keep building on it.”