UN GLOBAL COMPACT BULLETIN

MAY 2009

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NEWS & UPDATES

1. Business Leaders Urge Government Action on Climate in “The Green Imperative”
2. China: Local Network Launched, Environmental Initiative Underway in Hunan
3. Secretary-General Underscores Business Role in Bridging Cultural Divides
4. Letter Urges G20 Leaders to Lock on to Sustainable Course
5. Global Compact Launches Redesigned Website
6. Communication on Progress (COP) Policy Updated
7. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings

ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

1. Sign the CEO Letter on Anti-Corruption
2. Integrating Human Rights into Business Management Guidance: Consultation Draft
   
3. Anti-Corruption Reporting Guidance: Field Test
4. GCLead: Webinars and Retreat for Companies with Notable COPs
5. More Opportunities: Business Empowerment of Women, Caring for Climate, Vote Human Rights and more

FEATURED RESOURCES

1. Global Compact Blog: Perspectives on Sustainability
   
2. Global Compact Annual Review 2008
3. Doing Business in a Multicultural World
   

EVENTS

1. Last Call for Registration: World Business Summit on Climate Change (24 – 26 May, Copenhagen)

Please visit the Event Calendar on our website to learn more about the listed events, including intended audience and availability.

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NEWS & UPDATES

1. Business Leaders Urge Government Action on Climate in “The Green Imperative”
At the close of the Business for the Environment (B4E) Summit (Paris, 22-23 April), senior business leaders agreed that sealing a comprehensive climate deal in 2009 will be crucial for the future health of business and societies across the world. In a closing manifesto, entitled “The Green Imperative”, summit participants urged governments to "unlock the potential for sustainable, green innovation and job creation" by forging ahead towards a low-carbon society. More. Download “The Green Imperative”.

2. China: Local Network Launched, Environmental Initiative Underway in Hunan
The Global Compact Local Network China was launched as an independent organization with formal legal registration (Beijing, 20 April), with Global Compact Board member Chen Ying confirmed as the network’s director. In recent years, a large number of both state-owned and private companies have joined the initiative, bringing the total number of Chinese participants to over 200. Global Compact in China.

At the 2009 International Cooperation Forum on Resources and Environment (Changsha, 20 April), officials unveiled an environment-friendly investment scheme for the development of Hunan province. The forum was jointly organized by the Hunan Provincial People’s Government, the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China, and several industry associations and UN entities, including the Global Compact Office and the Global Compact Network China. More.

3. Secretary-General Underscores Business Role in Bridging Cultural Divides
In his address to the 2nd Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (Istanbul, 6-7 April), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized the role of business, stating: "Bridging divides helps keep the peace. It also gives the economy a boost by making societies more stable for investors. That is why the Alliance is working with the United Nations Global Compact to help corporations foster tolerance." The Global Compact co-organized a working session during the Forum entitled “Doing Business in a Multicultural World” to examine the role of the private sector in promoting cross-cultural understanding. More.

4. Letter Urges G20 Leaders to Lock on to Sustainable Course
The Copenhagen Climate Council sent an open letter to G20 Heads of State meeting in London on 2 April calling for an effective new global climate treaty. The letter, which was published in the International Herald Tribune, was co-signed by Georg Kell, Executive Director of the Global Compact. Read Letter.

5. Global Compact Launches Redesigned Website
A redesigned Global Compact website (www.unglobalcompact.org) was launched (14 April). Created by MW Design Interactive and funded by the Foundation for the Global Compact, the website design was updated to reflect the Global Compact visual identity introduced at the 2007 Leaders Summit in Geneva.

6. Communication on Progress (COP) Policy Updated
In April, the Global Compact announced updates to the COP policy. Following extensive deliberations with business and Local Networks, the Global Compact Board, at its December 2008 meeting, agreed to simplify the COP process, clarify minimum requirements and improve searchability of the COP database. More. Download COP Policy.

7. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings
In April, 101 companies and 32 non-business stakeholders joined the UN Global Compact. 174 Communications on Progress (COPs) were received, and 14 companies were delisted for failing to communicate on progress.

Deutsche Bahn AG (Germany), Woolworths Limited (Australia), KB Kookmin Bank (Republic of  Korea), Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. (Japan), Banesco Banco Universal (Venezuela), Lantmännen ek. för (Sweden), Proactiva Medio Ambiente (Spain), and Viyellatex Group (Bangladesh) were among the largest companies to join during the month.

Total figures as of 30 April:

• Business participants: 5,116
• Non-business participants: 1,717
• COPs received: 5,520
• Delisted business participants: 877

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ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities are intended for Global Compact stakeholders unless otherwise indicated.

1. Sign the CEO Letter on Anti-Corruption
The United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) seeks to promote and strengthen measures to prevent and combat corruption. From a business perspective, UNCAC holds the potential to become the global framework for combating corruption. It is critical to call for political will and determined action by governments to put in place a mechanism to effectively review implementation of UNCAC. Chief executives are encouraged to sign a letter of support drafted jointly with the International Chamber of Commerce, Transparency International and the World Economic Forum PACI. More information.  View the CEO Letter.

To indicate a CEO’s willingness to add his or her name to the anti-corruption letter, please send an email to uncac-letter@unglobalcompact.org.

2. Integrating Human Rights into Business Management: Consultation Draft
The Guide to Integrating Human Rights into Business Management, an online tool produced jointly by the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights (BLIHR), the Global Compact and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), is currently open for consultation. The publication offers practical guidance to companies wanting to take a proactive approach to human rights within their business operations. The publication is open for an initial consultation period until 30 June 2009. Access the Guide.

To submit comments, please fill out the feedback form or send an email to globalcompact@un.org. 

3. Anti-Corruption Reporting Guidance: Field Test
In an effort to ensure more comprehensive reporting on the 10th Principle, reporting guidance has been developed that follows the anti-corruption management cycle from commitment to implementation to monitoring. A field test of the Reporting Guidance on the 10th Principle will be conducted on an anonymous basis through an online questionnaire open from 11 May – 24 July. The main purpose is to test the usefulness and user-friendliness of the guidance.

Please contact Olajobi Makinwa (makinwa@un.org) by 22 May to express interest in participating in the Field Test. 

4. GCLead: Webinars and Retreat for Companies with Notable COPs
The Research Centre for the Global Compact, in partnership with AccountAbility and the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College, presents GCLead, a leadership and peer-to-peer learning platform for Global Compact signatories. GCLead invites Global Compact companies that have been recognized for posting a Notable COP (since 2007) to participate in events including:

•    Responsible Practices in the Downturn: 12 May 2009, 08:00-10:00 EST (webinar)
•    Responsible Restructuring and Preparing for Future Recovery: 16 June 2009, 08:00-10:00 EST (webinar)
•    Crisis and New Scenarios for Global Compact Implementation: 22 – 23 October 2009. This first retreat will  be devoted to a thorough review of the landscape for responsible corporations today.

Download GCLead flyer. For more information, please contact Manuel Escudero (escuderom@un.org).

5. More Opportunities: Business Empowerment of Women, Caring for Climate, Vote Human Rights and more
Many of the engagement opportunities announced in past issues of the Bulletin are still open for interested parties. View the full list of Engagement Opportunities

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FEATURED RESOURCES

1. Global Compact Blog- Perspectives on Sustainability: We are pleased to announce the launch of Perspectives on Sustainability, the official UN Global Compact blog: http://unglobalcompact.wordpress.com. Updated frequently by our staff in New York, Perspectives will serve up a fresh and timely mix of news and commentary on corporate responsibility trends and developments related to the Global Compact. The blog welcomes comments from registered users (subject to moderation).

To recommend readings and news that could be of interest to Perspectives readers, please send an email to gcblog@unglobalcompact.org.

2. Global Compact Annual Review 2008: Takes stock of the broad array of efforts by business participants and other key stakeholders to advance the principles of the Global Compact. Featuring the results of our annual survey of business participants, information is provided on key actions and depth of engagement in each issue area. More. Download.

3. Doing Business in a Multicultural World: The publication helps companies to address cross-cultural issues and explore how they can facilitate intercultural understanding in ways that benefit both business and society. A joint UN Alliance of Civilizations-Global Compact publication.  Download.

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EVENTS

1. Last Call for Registration: World Business Summit on Climate Change (24 – 26 May, Copenhagen): Chief executives of all Caring for Climate companies are invited to attend the World Business Summit on Climate Change. Held six months prior to the UN climate conference (COP 15), this summit will bring business together with the world's top scientists, economists, civil society representatives, media leaders and government officials to put forward recommendations for the next international framework on climate change.recommendations for the next international framework on climate change.

Caring for Climate participants are asked to register at the event website: http://www.copenhagenclimatecouncil.com/world-business-summit.html

For a complete list of 2009 events, please visit the Event Calendar on our website

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Published 07 May 2009