2016 is a year of action: the United Nations, Governments, Business and Civil Society are coming together to jump-start progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2016 the UN Private Sector Forum focused on the role of business in advancing sustainable development to prevent global instability. Hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Forum was organized in collaboration with the Co-Chairs of the United Nations High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly to address Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants.

The key elements of a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders, and a effective investment and operating environment for business, are closely intertwined. Human rights and environmental defenders, journalists, lawyers, and anti-corruption campaigners are key agents of change, and they contribute greatly to safeguard human rights and the rule of law. As such, both companies and human rights defenders have a shared interest in an environment which respects the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, and is characterised by non-discrimination, transparent and accountable government, freedom from corruption, and respect for the rule of law. Regrettably, the operating environment for defenders is becoming increasingly restrictive and dangerous in many countries. These countries include those in which corporations, with policies on human rights, increasingly operate and invest. Jointly hosted by the UN Global Compact, the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) and the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), this webinar will provide an overview of the increasing restrictions faced by civil society and human rights defenders, explore some of the drivers and benefits of business action in their support and protection, and discuss emerging good practices related to business and human rights defenders.

The UN Global Compact Bulletin is designed to keep participants up to date on news, actions you can take, resources and events. Participants are encouraged to look to this monthly communication for important information. Please note that actions and events are intended for Global Compact stakeholders, unless otherwise indicated. The Bulletin is published in English, French, Spanish and Chinese.

Aims to help Global Compact Local Networks get involved in their country's development of a National Action Plan on business and Human Rights. The guide provides basic information about National Action Plans, outlines the countries that have or are in the process of developing them, sets out the various opportunities available to Local Networks to get engaged, and lists additional resources that can be referred to for more information.

The UN Global Compact Bulletin is designed to keep participants up to date on news, actions you can take, resources and events. Participants are encouraged to look to this monthly communication for important information. Please note that actions and events are intended for Global Compact stakeholders, unless otherwise indicated. The Bulletin is published in English, French, Spanish and Chinese.

Urges Governments to implement the State Duty to protect human rights. It was drafted by the leading business associations involved in the business and human rights.

Explores how businesses can responsibly manage the human rights impacts of their own water-intensive operations and/or supply chains. In particular, the webinar examines the specific challenges around potential human rights impacts on communities that have inadequate water supplies or that are located in water-stressed areas. As well as analysing how responsible companies can best respect international standards around the right to water and sanitation, the webinar also explores related corporate projects in this area – as well as their outcomes.

The UN Global Compact Bulletin is designed to keep participants up to date on news, actions you can take, resources and events. Participants are encouraged to look to this monthly communication for important information. Please note that actions and events are intended for Global Compact stakeholders, unless otherwise indicated. The Bulletin is published in English, French, Spanish and Chinese.

Highlights the linkages between human rights and anti-corruption compliance and how companies can benefit from integrating these considerations in their compliance programs. Adverse human rights impacts and corruption pose similar risks to companies, including the danger of reputational and financial exposure. Effectively managing these risks presents companies with common challenges such as detecting misconduct in the business organization and supply chains, and necessitates due diligence on business partners such as contracted agents and suppliers. Indeed successful implementation of human rights and anti-corruption compliance can contribute to corporate sustainability and profitability.

On 12 December 2016, António Guterres was sworn in as the next United Nations Secretary-General. In his vision for the post, Mr. Guterres - a former Prime Minister of Portugal and UN High Commissioner for Refugees - has said that the world body is uniquely placed to connect the dots to overcome global challenges and further strengthen the nexus between peace and security, sustainable development and human rights policies.

This resource details how to deal with humanitarian crisis as a business.

This online resource is a multi-stakeholder platform for multi-national corporations with operations, supply chains and distribution networks in regions that present high levels of risk to the realization of human rights.