UN GLOBAL COMPACT BULLETIN

DECEMBER 2009

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NEWS & UPDATES

1. Secretary-General Advances UN-Business Agenda: Revised Guidelines for Cooperation, Report to General Assembly on Enhancing Partnerships
2. Business Urges Governments to Ensure Effective Anti-Corruption Convention
3. Stock Exchanges and Investors Address Need for Sustainability Reporting 
4. China-Japan-Korea Roundtable Established by Global Compact Local Networks
5. Local Networks Unite on MDG Project in Latin America and the Caribbean
6. Global Compact and Rotary International to Foster Local Collaboration
7. Expert Group Addresses Responsible Investment in High-risk Countries
8. 20th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Six Actions for Business
9. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings

ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

1. Sign the Petition to Seal the Deal! in Copenhagen
2. Online Consultation: Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights
3. More Opportunities: Seeking examples on fighting corruption in the supply chain, input on human rights dilemmas, and more

FEATURED RESOURCES

1. Guidance on Human Rights Reporting for Companies:
   
   • A Resource Guide to Corporate Human Rights Reporting
   • Corporate Human Rights Reporting - An Analysis of Current Trends

EVENTS

1. Webinar Invitation: An Introduction to Business and Human Rights (10 December)
2. Invitation: Business Side-Event at UN Climate Change Conference (12 December, Copenhagen)
3. Postponed: 2010 African Private Sector Forum 

December
An Introduction to Business and Human Rights (10 Dec, Webinar)
Business Side-Event at United Nations Climate Change Conference COP15 (12 Dec, Copenhagen)

March 2010
Celebration of International Women's Day (9 March, New York)

April 2010
Second Meeting of Caring for Climate Signatories (7-8 April, Geneva)
B4E Business for Environment Global Summit 2010 (22–23 April, Seoul)

June 2010
2010 Global Compact Leaders Summit (24–25 June 2010, New York)

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. Secretary-General Advances UN-Business Agenda: Revised Guidelines for Cooperation and Report to General Assembly on Enhancing Partnerships
The UN Secretary-General signed and issued the revised “Guidelines on Cooperation between the United Nations and the Business Sector” (20 November, New York). The Guidelines’ revision was a response to Member State requests that the UN place greater emphasis on impact assessment, transparency, accountability and sustainability of business partnerships. Chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General, the revision involved senior staff from over 30 UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes with experience collaborating with business. More.

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 the General Assembly’s Second Committee (5 November, New York). The report highlights the need for sustainable business practices and broader UN-private sector engagement in light of global challenges. The presentation of the report was followed by affirmative statements by representatives of several Member States, and is expected to result in a General Assembly resolution that provides further support for the Global Compact’s mandate. More. Download Report. 

2. Business Urges Governments to Ensure Effective Anti-Corruption Convention
The Global Compact addressed the Third session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (10 November, Doha), expressing broad business support for the establishment of an effective monitoring mechanism. A CEO statement was presented to Governments urging for the creation of an independent, inclusive, transparent and efficient review mechanism to the Convention. The statement – the first of its kind in United Nations history – was signed by approximately 100 chief executives from around the world. More. 

3. Stock Exchanges and Investors Address Need for Sustainability Reporting
Institutional investors and CEOs from stock exchanges around the world met at UN Headquarters to explore global collaboration to encourage responsible long-term approaches to investment (2 November, New York). Various ways that stock exchanges can promote sustainable business practices were discussed, including enhanced sustainability reporting requirements for listed companies and the establishment of ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) indices. The event was co-hosted by the Global Compact, PRI and UNCTAD. More. View Event Website. 

4. China-Japan-Korea Roundtable Established by Global Compact Local Networks
The first Global Compact China-Japan-Korea Roundtable Conference was held to further advance corporate responsibility in the region (13 November, Seoul). It was jointly organized by the Global Compact Local Networks from each country. Stressing common challenges from climate change and the financial crisis, participants identified ways to further integrate ethical business practices, transparency and sustainability into the region’s business framework. More. 

5. Local Networks Unite on MDG Project in Latin America and the Caribbean
At a Regional Meeting (4 November, Santiago), Global Compact Local Networks in Latin America and the Caribbean agreed to develop an assessment of the private sector contribution to development. Bringing together network representatives from eleven countries, the meeting also focused on knowledge sharing, network strategy and activities. Networks agreed to continue their close collaboration and to create a network exchange program facilitated by the newly established Regional Support Center in Bogotá. More. 

6. Global Compact and Rotary International to Foster Local Collaboration
The 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 programmes. More.

7. Expert Group Addresses Responsible Investment in High-risk Countries
An expert consultation hosted by the Global Compact (20 November, New York) brought together 60 representatives from global business, institutional investors, asset manager, and civil society organizations. Participants reviewed and discussed a draft guidance document articulating a common understanding of responsible investment and responsible business practices in high-risk operating environments. The final guidance document will be presented at the Global Compact Leaders Summit 2010 (24-25 June, New York). More. 

8. 20th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Six Actions for Business
In recognition of the 20th Anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (20 November), the UN Global Compact encourages participants and stakeholders to increase their awareness of this landmark Convention. Children's rights are relevant to a number of the Global Compact principles. UNICEF has identified six actions that the private sector can take to advance the principles in the Convention. Six Actions for the Private Sector. Learn More.

9. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings
In November, 80 companies and 24 non-business stakeholders joined the Global Compact. 271 Communications on Progress (COPs) were received, and 12 companies were delisted for failing to communicate on progress.

The largest companies (by employee number) to join during the month were: Grupo Nacional de Chocolates S.A. (Columbia), Banco Popular Espanol (Spain), Tchibo GmbH (Germany), Rengo Co., Ltd. (Japan) and Oriflame Cosmetics S.A. (Luxembourg).

Total figures as of 30 November:

• Business participants: 5,211
• Non-business participants: 1,955
• COPs received: 6,803
• Delisted business participants: 1,035

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ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities are intended for Global Compact stakeholders unless otherwise indicated.

1. Sign the Petition to Seal the Deal! in Copenhagen
Seal the Deal! is a UN campaign that aims to galvanize political will and public support for reaching a comprehensive global climate agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen being held from 7-18 December. Seal the Deal!

2. Online Consultation: Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights
The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Business and Human Rights has launched an online consultation on conceptual and operational aspects of the "corporate responsibility to respect human rights”. The forum contains multiple topics (e.g., due diligence, implementation) for discussion and comment. The consultation will remain open until February 2010.

Visit the Consultation Website. Inquiries should be directed to Christine Bader, Advisor to the SRSG, Christine_Bader@hks.harvard.edu.

3. More Opportunities: Seeking examples on fighting corruption in the supply chain, input on human rights dilemmas, and more
Many of the engagement opportunities announced in past issues of the Bulletin are still active.  View the full list of Engagement Opportunities

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FEATURED RESOURCES

• A Resource Guide to Corporate Human Rights Reporting: Surveys recent sustainability reports by over 50 companies, examining trends in current corporate disclosures on human rights and highlights good practice examples as well as ongoing shortcomings in reporting in this area. Download.
• Corporate Human Rights Reporting - An Analysis of Current Trends: Provides a practical guide for companies on steps they can take to improve their coverage of human rights as part of their sustainability reports; developed through extensive expert consultation over the past year. Download.

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EVENTS

1. Webinar Invitation: An Introduction to Business and Human Rights (10 December)
Taking place on Human Rights Day, this web-enabled teleconference will provide an overview of business and human rights with a particular focus on Global Compact Principles 1 and 2. The webinar is the first in a series that will highlight the range of tools and resources available to support such efforts by business.

Company representatives and other interested persons are asked to contact Lauren Gula (gulal@un.org) to register for the event.

2. Invitation: Business Side-Event at UN Climate Change Conference (12 December, Copenhagen)
Bringing together prominent leaders, the event will address questions including: success criteria for COP15, filling the leadership void, and guiding the economy onto a sustainable path. Convened by the Copenhagen Climate Council, in cooperation with Global Compact.

All Caring for Climate signatories have been invited to the event. Please contact Lila Karbassi (karbassi@un.org) for further information.

3. Postponed: 2010 African Private Sector Forum
The African Private Sector Forum, scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa on 21-22 January, has been postponed. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to announce a new date for the Forum in the future.

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The largest and most important UN Climate Change Conference in history will be held from 7 to 18 December in Copenhagen. Sign the Petition to Seal the Deal!

In recent months, Global Compact participants have made concerted efforts to build positive momentum for the climate negotiations and advance the role of business in addressing the climate challenge.

• In Meeting with World Leaders, Business and Civil Society Call for Effective Climate Deal (22 September)
• Declaration by Business, Investors and Civil Society to Governments
• Connecting the Dots: How Climate Change Transforms Market Risks and Opportunities  
• Champions of the Low-Carbon Economy: Why CEOs are Ready for a Global Climate Agreement
• Chief Executives Taking a Stand for Climate Action

All Global Compact business participants are encouraged to endorse Caring for Climate, the Global Compact’s climate change platform endorsed by more than 360 companies in 65 countries. Upcoming Caring for Climate events:

• Business side-event at United Nations Climate Conference COP15 Conference (12 December 2009, Copenhagen)
• Second Meeting of Caring for Climate Signatories (7-8 April 2010, Geneva)

  Learn more about Caring for Climate.

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Published 8 December 2009