Home / Issues / Business for Peace / Background Information

Background Information

For companies of all sizes, operating in "conflict-prone", "weak" or "post-conflict" areas poses a number of dilemmas with no easy answers. Recognizing this, during the past decade the UN Global Compact has brought companies together with multiple stakeholder groups to enhance their collective capacity to make positive contributions to peace and development where they operate.

The Global Compact has engaged companies and investors through the following activities:

  • Local Engagement: Global Compact Local Networks – found in over 100 countries – provide a space for companies to engage at the local level.
  • Expert Group: Co-convened with the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment the expert group convened leaders from business, UN, investors, civil society and academia to promote understanding of responsible business in high-risk and conflict affected areas among key actors at both the global and local level. View list of Expert Group Members. 
  • Pilot Project:  A two year initiative comprised of select companies and investors that committed to implement the best practices outlined in the Guidance on Responsible Business in Conflict-Affected & High-Risk Areas: A Resource for Companies & Investors.

Since the launch of the Global Compact companies have benefited from:

  • tools to guide their business activities;
  • access to a network of companies operating in similar areas;
  • standards of conduct which aim to prevent companies from inadvertently supporting conflict and human rights abuses;
  • a stimulus for starting projects and initiatives that can reduce negative impacts and conflict tension.

Over the years the Global Compact has worked with various stakeholders to develop publications and resources to provide companies with guidance on how to advance corporate sustainability within their strategies and operations when operating in high risk and/or conflict affected areas. 

Event Archive

The work of the Global Compact to advance business and peace has been informed by over a decade of events convening relevant stakeholders to discuss and deliberate these issues.

Contact

business4peace@unglobalcompact.org

(Last updated: 9 September 2013)