Participation in the Global Compact

The UN Global Compact presents a unique and powerful platform for participants to advance their commitments to sustainability and corporate citizenship. With more than 5200 company participants and stakeholders from more than 120 countries, over 60 networks in developed and emerging economies, and a spectrum of learning, dialogue and partnership opportunities, companies have an unprecedented opportunity to further their business and corporate responsibility objectives, while also contributing to the momentum and strength of the Global Compact.

While the purposes of the United Nations and business differ widely - the UN focuses on peace, poverty reduction and the protection of human rights, and business on profit and growth - their objectives increasingly overlap. Building sustainable markets, combatting corruption, safeguarding the environment and ensuring social inclusion is increasingly important for the long-term value for business. It makes business sense for companies to invest in creating a sound environment in which to do business, to minimize risks and to harness new business opportunities by supporting emerging markets.

The Corporate Commitment

Joining the Global Compact is a widely visible commitment to the ten principles . A company that signs-on to the Global Compact specifically commits itself to:

1) set in motion changes to business operations so that the Global Compact and its principles become part of management, strategy, culture, and day-to-day operations;
2) publish in its annual report or similar public corporate report (e.g. sustainability report) a description of the ways in which it is supporting the Global Compact and its principles (Communication on Progress), and
3) publicly advocate the Global Compact and its principles via communications vehicles such as press releases, speeches, etc.

In addition, the Global Compact offers many additional opportunities for companies and other organizations to engage, that can maximize the benefit and value of participation, including: local, regional and global policy dialogues, learning activities (production of case studies, resources and tools), Local Networks and multi-stakeholder partnerships .

Benefits of participation include:

Direct...	Indirect...
Global and local opportunities to dialogue and collaborate with other businesses, NGOs, labour, and governments on critical issues	Increased legitimacy and license to operate, particularly in the developing world, because business practices are based on universal values
Exchange of experiences and good practices inspiring practical solutions and strategies to challenging problems	Improved reputation and increasing brand value to consumers and investors – specifically in the context of changing societal expectations
Finding an entry-point through which companies can access the UN's broad knowledge of development issues	Increased employee morale and productivity, and attracting and retaining the highest qualified employees
Leveraging the UN's global reach and convening power with governments, business, civil society and other stakeholders	Improved operational efficiency, for instance through better use of raw materials and waste management
	Ensuring a company’s accountability and transparency through a public communication on progress

Key Implementation Resources

	After the Signature - A Guide to Engagement in the United Nations Global Compact After the Signature provides a basic introduction to the Global Compact and outlines the commitment that companies make when signing on to the initiative, such as implementing the ten principles and producing an annual Communication on Progress report. The publication includes information on Global Compact Local Networks and engagement in partnerships projects.
	The Inspirational Guide to Implementing the Global Compact The Inspirational Guide profiles 21 examples of how companies have approached the challenge of implementing the Global Compact, including integrating the principles and engaging in partnerships for development. Focus on the challenges that companies are facing and the practical solutions they have developed in response.
	The 2007 Global Compact Annual Review The Annual Review provides a comprehensive update of the initiative and the efforts made by business and other stakeholders to advance the Global Compact's mission and principles. The report reveals the results of the first in-depth survey of participants, and shows how and why companies are implementing the ten principles and seeking partnerships.

For more tools and resources click here.

(Last Update 22 May 2008)