The latest information from the UN Global Compact

( Paris, 11 December 2009) – By Georg Kell, Executive Director of the Global Compact, published in the International Herald Tribune: As negotiating teams labor at the U.N. climate change conference, a rising chorus of business leaders is chanting “seal the deal.” Though notions of hammering out an actual climate treaty in Copenhagen have been put to rest, many captains of industry are nonetheless urging governments to agree on the core elements of a climate framework that can serve the basis of a treaty. Indeed, in recent months, scores of business leaders and some important investors have

( New York, 10 December 2009) – In recognition of Human Rights Day, the Global Compact has developed guidance and conducted outreach to assist businesses in respecting and supporting human rights within their operations and activities. The following initiatives are of particular note: Webinar: An Introduction to Business and Human Rights – The Global Compact today launched the first of a series of webinars (web-facilitated teleconferences) that highlight various business and human rights tools and guidance materials. The webinar is the result of a collaboration between the Global Compact, the

( Berlin, 9 December 2009) – As calls for corporate accountability increase, Transparency International (TI) and the United Nations Global Compact today published a new reporting guidance for companies committed to combating corruption. Public reporting sends a strong signal to employees, investors and consumers, that a company is serious about its commitment to transparency and responsible business practices. The guidance, developed in the framework of the Global Compact, equips business with a practical means to report on anti-corruption policies and actions comprehensively and effectively.

( New York, 4 December 2009) – Today, the Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (Economic and Financial Committee) adopted a resolution articulating the views of UN Member States on the rapidly evolving relationship between the United Nations and the private sector. The resolution, adopted under General Assembly agenda item 59 (Towards Global Partnerships), reaffirms the critical role of the private sector in supporting UN goals and stresses the importance of a value-based approach when engaging business. The General Assembly also recognized the central function of the Global

( New York, 23 November 2009 ) – On Friday, the Secretary-General signed and issued the revised Guidelines on Cooperation between the United Nations and the Business Sector . Initially developed in 2000 as a common framework for UN-Business collaboration, the Guidelines apply to the UN Secretariat as well as separately administered organs, Funds and Programmes. As an important component of the Secretary-General's efforts to modernize the Organization, the Guidelines are intended to help UN staff develop more effective partnerships between the UN and the business sector while ensuring the

( New York, 20 November 2009 ) – An expert consultation to explore responsible investment in high-risk operating environments, such as conflict-affected countries, was hosted by the Global Compact today. Chaired by Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman of the Foundation for the Global Compact, the event gathered more than 60 representatives of global businesses, institutional investors, asset managers, and civil society organizations. Participants reviewed and discussed responsible practices addressing the business value chain, strategic social investment, engagement and advocacy. In addition, a

( Seoul, 13 November 2009 ) – The first Global Compact China-Japan-Korea Roundtable Conference was held today to further advance corporate responsibility in the region. The Roundtable, jointly organized by the Global Compact Local Networks from each country, provides the opportunity for formal collaboration between the Northeast Asian Networks to intensify. At the Roundtable Conference, which brought together more than 150 business executives, academics, government officials and civil society leaders, the three Local Networks announced a joint research project on the materiality of corporate

( Amsterdam/Geneva/New York, 11 November 2009 ) – Two new reports being released this week examine trends in corporate measurement and reporting on human rights performance and provide practical guidance for companies engaging on this emerging area of corporate citizenship and accountability. As part of a collaborative project “Human Rights: A Call to Action” launched last year to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Global Reporting Initiative, the United Nations Global Compact and Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative commissioned two

( Doha, 10 November 2009 ) – Expressing broad business support for the establishment of an effective monitoring mechanism for the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the Global Compact today addressed the Convention’s Conference of State Parties held in Doha/Qatar. Speaking to delegates, Olajobi Makinwa, Head of Anti-Corruption Initiatives in the Global Compact Office, emphasized the importance of the Global Compact as a voluntary framework for addressing Anti-Corruption in both the private and public sectors, and presented a CEO statement urging for the creation of an independent

( New York, 7 November 2009 ) – The UN Global Compact and Rotary International, a humanitarian service organization of more than 1.2 million professional and community leaders in 200 countries, have agreed to deepen their collaboration and encourage Global Compact Local Networks and the more than 33,000 local Rotary Clubs to seek stronger alignment through joint activities and programs. The announcement was made on the occasion of Rotary International UN Day, hosted at UN Headquarters today. The event, held annually to celebrate Rotary’s longstanding relationship with the United Nations

( New York, 5 November 2009 ) – Underscoring the need for sustainable business practices and broader private sector engagement in light of global challenges, the UN Secretary-General’s report on Enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and all relevant partners, in particular the private sector ( A/64/337 ) was presented to UN General Assembly’s Second Committee today. Taking stock of current, system-wide efforts to enhance private-sector cooperation, the report concludes that the UN is “well-positioned to bring private sector engagement to the next level and significantly enhance its

( Santiago, 5 November 2009) – Global Compact Local Networks in Latin America and the Caribbean have agreed to develop an assessment of the private-sector contribution to development, to be presented at the 2010 Global Compact Leaders Summit in New York. This was among the outcomes of the Global Compact Regional Meeting for Local Networks in Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Santiago/Chile this week. Bringing together network representatives from eleven countries (Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela), the