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UN GLOBAL COMPACT BULLETIN

DECEMBER 2011

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NEWS & UPDATES

1. UN General Assembly Renews the UN Global Compact's Mandate
2. UN Secretary-General Promotes Global Compact in Asia

  • Busan Forum Addresses Public-Private Development Cooperation
  • China Entrepreneur Club Discusses Sustainable Business Practices
  • ASEAN Business Leaders Encouraged to Engage Globally, Join the Global Compact
  • Local Network Bangladesh Convenes to Advance Women’s and Children’s Health

3. Leading Global Brands Sign Up for New WindMade™ Label
4. Bonn Conference Explores the Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus
5. Expert Group on Business and Peace Convenes
6. Transformative Step of the Day Launches
7. Local Network News & Updates

  • Global Compact Business Forum Held in Latin America, Regional Meeting Convenes
  • Local Network Bangladesh Convenes to Advance Women’s and Children’s Health
  • Seoul Conference Reaffirms Korean Commitment to Corporate Sustainability
  • Global Compact Convenes China-Japan-Korea Roundtable
  • Global Compact Relaunches China Network
  • Local Network Azerbaijan Launches

8.    Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings
 

ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

1. Seeking Examples of Anti-Corruption Efforts in Action
2. More Opportunities: Low-Carbon Leaders, the Fight against Human Trafficking

FEATURED RESOURCES

1. Anti-Corruption Resources

  • Business Against Corruption – A Framework for Action
  • Reporting Guidance on the 10th Principle Against Corruption

2. Human Rights Resources

  • The Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights – An Interpretive Guide:
  • Key Business and Human Rights Tools and How to Use Them
  • Business and Human Rights Case Studies
  • Good Practice Note – Human Rights, Access to Medicines and the Pharmaceutical Industry

3. Supply Chain Sustainability Resources

  • A Practical Guide for Continuous Improvement for Small and Medium Enterprises
  • Supply Chain Sustainability – A Practical Guide for Continuous Improvement

4. UN Private Sector Forum on Sustainable Energy for All – Meeting Report

EVENTS

1. Business Perspective on Sustainable Growth: Preparing for Rio+20 (14-16 Feb, New York)

  Event Calendar

December
Guide on How to Develop a Human Rights Policy (6 Dec, Online)
1st PRME Latin America Regional Meeting (6-7 Dec, Buenos Aires)
Climate Action Networking Event at COP17 (7 Dec, Durban)
Social Control in the Fight Against Corruption (7 Dec, Brasilia)

February 2012
Business Perspective on Sustainable Growth: Preparing for Rio+20 (14-16 Feb, New York)

March 2012
4th Annual Event on the Women’s Empowerment Principles (6 Mar, New York)
Dow Jones Global Compliance Symposium (27-28 Mar, Washington DC)
UN System Private Sector Focal Points Meeting (28-29 Mar, Vienna)

June 2012
Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum: Innovation & Collaboration for the Future We Want (TBD, Rio de Janeiro)

Please visit the Event Calendar on our website to learn more about the listed events.

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NEWS & UPDATES

1. UN General Assembly Renews the UN Global Compact's Mandate
The Second Committee of the UN General Assembly (Economic and Financial Committee) adopted a resolution on the evolving relationship between the UN and the private sector (1 December, New York). The resolution recognizes “the vital role the United Nations Global Compact Office continues to play with regard to strengthening the capacity of the United Nations to partner strategically with the private sector in accordance with its General Assembly mandate”. Emphasis is placed on the Global Compact’s integrity measures, the Women’s Empowerment Principles and further strengthening of Global Compact Local Networks globally. The resolution was agreed by consensus with 67 UN Member State sponsors. More. Read General Assembly Resolution (A/C.2/66/L.43/Rev.1).

Prior to the adoption of the General Assembly Resolution, the Secretary-General’s report on enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and all relevant partners, in particular the private sector, was presented to the UN General Assembly’s Second Committee (3 November, New York). The report emphasizes the evolving nature UN-Business partnerships and new developments in this realm and offers recommendations for strengthening partnerships. More. Read the UN Secretary-General’s report.

2. UN Secretary-General Promotes Global Compact in Asia

  • Busan Forum Addresses Public-Private Development Cooperation
    A Private Sector Forum on Public-Private Cooperation for Broad-Based, Inclusive and Sustainable Growth was convened during the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (30 November, Busan). The Forum brought together over 200 business leaders, civil society representatives and Government officials to identify ways that the private sector can support effective development cooperation. At the event, the Secretary-General emphasized the private sector’s important role in development and encouraged companies to join the Global Compact. More.
  • China Entrepreneur Club Discusses Sustainable Business Practices
    Nearly 30 CEOs of large Chinese private companies in the China Entrepreneur Club met with the Secretary-General (11 November, New York). During their visit, the delegation of CEOs participated in a series of meetings on sustainable business practices and the contributions of corporate sustainability to UN goals. During the meeting with the Secretary-General Rio+20, the Global Compact and Caring for Climate were highlighted. More.
  • ASEAN Business Leaders Encouraged to Engage Globally, Join the Global Compact
    At the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit (18 November, Bali), the Secretary-General urged companies to become active on global issues tied to corporate sustainability and encouraged them to join the Global Compact. He challenged regional business leaders to address topics including climate change, sustainable development, access to food, water and energy, human rights and the empowerment of women. More.
  • Local Network Bangladesh Convenes to Advance Women’s and Children’s Health
    The Secretary-General met with 70 leaders from the private sector, civil society and Government at a dinner focused on women’s and children’s health (15 November, Dhaka). Co-hosted by the Global Compact Local Network Bangladesh, Brac, ICDDR,B and the UN Foundation, the event provided the Secretary-General with the opportunity to introduce the “Every Woman Every Child” initiative to the local private sector and to galvanize support and action. More. 

2. Leading Global Brands Sign Up for New WindMade™ Label
At an event hosted by WindMade™ and the Global Compact, major global companies announced their commitment to become certified under the new WindMade™ consumer label (18 November, New York). These companies have procured or have pledged to procure at least 25 percent of their operations’ power consumption from wind energy. More.  

3. Bonn Conference Explores the Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus
The Global Compact held two policy sessions – one focused on water stewardship, and the other on private finance during a three-day conference on The Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus hosted by the Government of Germany (18 November, Bonn). The conference drew more than 500 delegates from the international public sector, science, civil society, and business and finance. Policy recommendations developed at the event are intended contributions to Rio+20. More. Access the Bonn Conference website. 

4. Expert Group on Business and Peace Convenes
The Expert Group on Responsible Business in Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas convened (8 November, New York) to identify practical steps companies and investors can take to contribute to peace and stability. Participants engaged in dialogue on a range of topics, including the management of security issues, new disclosure requirements connected with the conflict minerals provision of the Dodd-Frank Act, and local implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. More. 

5. Transformative Step of the Day Launches
A multi-stakeholder coalition that includes the Global Compact in cooperation with the UNFCCC Secretariat, launched the Transformative Step of the Day initiative as a way to increase focus on low-carbon solutions during the climate negotiations at COP17 (5 December, Durban). During the event, the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) – together with the UNFCCC and ITU – awarded leading government initiatives that recognize low-carbon transformative solutions. More.

6.  Local Network Update News & Updates

  • Global Compact Business Forum Held in Latin America, Regional Meeting Convenes
    More than 200 representatives from business, investor groups and Local Networks gathered for the Latin America and Caribbean Global Compact Business Forum (9 November, Mexico City). A primary goal of the Forum was to facilitate implementation of the Global Compact in the region through dialogue and sharing of best practices. Topics addressed included responsible investing, corporate governance, sustainable development and Rio+20. Two days later, the Global Compact Local Networks in the Americas convened their Regional Meeting (10-11 November, Mexico City), which was attended by 11 Local Networks. More about the Business Forum. More about the Regional Meeting. 
  • Seoul Conference Reaffirms Korean Commitment to Corporate Sustainability
    Organized by the Global Compact Korea Network and KMAC, the first major corporate sustainability conference in the Republic of Korea convened (23 November, Seoul). At the event, over 600 business participants and other stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to corporate responsibility and called on Governments to create enabling environments. The event concluded with the adoption of the Seoul Declaration and Action Plan. More. Read the Seoul Declaration and Action Plan.
  • Global Compact Convenes China-Japan-Korea Roundtable
    The Global Compact China-Japan-Korea Roundtable (CJK Roundtable), a joint platform that aims to promote collaboration among three Global Compact Networks through learning and dialogue, concluded its third conference (25 November, Tokyo). The three Networks expressed their continued commitment to collaborating and deepening engagement of Global Compact participants from their respective countries. More. 
  • Global Compact Relaunches China Network
    Over 200 representatives of business, business associations, Government, civil society and other stakeholders attended a ceremony that relaunched the Global Compact Local Network China (28 November, Beijing). Participants adopted a new constitution for the Network defining membership, governance and other substantive issues. More. 
  • Local Network Azerbaijan Launches
    The Global Compact Local Network Azerbaijan was launched at an event organized by UNDP Azerbaijan and supported by Statoil (30 November, Baku). In addition to local representatives of businesses, civil society, business associations and academia, members of the Local Network Turkey were present to showcase examples of recent achievements, intended as inspiration for the newly formed network. More. 

7. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings
In November, 228 companies and 53 non-business stakeholders joined the Global Compact. 106 companies were delisted for failing to communicate on progress. The largest companies (by employee number) to join during the month were: ThyssenKrupp AG (Germany), Poczta Polska S.A. (Poland), Toto Ltd. (Japan), Integrated Micro-electronics, Inc. (Philippines), Alfa Laval Group (Sweden), Societe ATAC (France), Securitas Argentina S.A. (Argentina), EGIS (France), NorthgateArinso (United Kingdom) and SMRT Corporation Ltd. (Singapore).
       
    Total figures as of 30 November:

  • Business participants: 6,581
  • Non-business participants: 2,998
  • COPs submitted: 13,530
  • Delisted business participants: 2,953

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ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

1. Seeking Examples of Anti-Corruption Efforts in Action
Global Compact business participants are invited to submit examples that illustrate their efforts to address corruption challenges. These examples would be considered for inclusion in an upcoming Global Compact publication. We are seeking innovative examples in the following areas (examples need not be limited to these issues): anti-corruption policies; supply chain engagement; anti-corruption training for employees; anti-corruption collective action; anti-corruption public-private dialogue; and anti-corruption policy advocacy.

For further details please download the concept note. Examples and questions may be sent to Ms. Olajobi Makinwa (makinwa@un.org) or Ms. Donna Chung (chungd@un.org)

2. More Opportunities: Low-Carbon Leaders, the Fight against Human Trafficking
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

1. Anti-Corruption Resources: Mark Anti-Corruption Day 2011 (9 December) by reviewing key tools and guidance. 

  • Business Against Corruption – A Framework for Action: Assists companies in the implementation of anti-corruption efforts in every aspect of their operations. It provides a road map to sources and tools which will assist in the practical application of policies designed to eliminate corruption. Download.
  • Reporting Guidance on the 10th Principle Against Corruption: Equips business with a practical means to report on anti-corruption policies and actions comprehensively and effectively, as public reporting sends a strong signal to employees, investors and consumers, that a company is serious about clean business. Download.

2. Human Rights Resources: Mark Human Rights Day 2011 (10 December) by reviewing the latest tools and guidance.

  • The Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights – An Interpretive Guide: Supports the process of effective implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. More Information. Download.
  • Key Business and Human Rights Tools and How to Use Them: Provides brief information on key business and human rights tools that can help businesses implement the responsibility to respect human rights as well as their commitment to support human rights. Download.
  • Business and Human Rights Case Studies: Highlight how companies are integrating human rights principles into their business practices. New case studies have been developed to explore topics such as human trafficking and human rights and supply chain sustainability. Two new case studies on Telenor and Carlson are now available. Access Business and Human Rights Case Studies.
  • Good Practice Note – Human Rights, Access to Medicines and the Pharmaceutical Industry: Clarifies effective business-friendly strategies for the pharmaceutical industry to advance the realization of the right to health. This includes access to medicines and the related fundamental human rights principles of equality, transparency, and non-discrimination. Download.

3. Supply Chain Sustainability Resources

  • A Practical Guide for Continuous Improvement for Small and Medium Enterprises: Conveys baseline definitions and practical steps that SMEs can take toward effective management of the social, environmental and economic impacts of supply chains. Download.
  • Supply Chain Sustainability – A Practical Guide for Continuous Improvement: Illustrates how Global Compact signatories can implement the ten principles throughout their supply chains and integrate sustainability into procurement strategies. Includes examples of good corporate practices. Download in 中文 | English | 日本語.

4. UN Private Sector Forum on Sustainable Energy for All – Meeting Report: Summarizes the proceedings of the fourth annual private sector event, held on the topic of Sustainable Energy for All (20 September, New York). Download.

Please visit the Tools and Resources webpage to access all material issued by the Global Compact.

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EVENTS

1. Business Perspective on Sustainable Growth: Preparing for Rio+20 (14-16 Feb, New York)
– OPEN TO GLOBAL COMPACT BUSINESS PARTICIPANTS – Convened by KPMG International, in cooperation with the Global Compact, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), "Business Perspective on Sustainable Growth: preparing for Rio+20" is a global summit to facilitate business solutions to sustainability challenges. This summit aims to craft a forward looking agenda to focus on global green growth and its outcomes will be shared at Rio+20.

The event will take place at the Sheraton Hotel in New York City. Click here to learn more. If you are interested in participating in this event, please contact: us-cssccsgosummit@kpmg.com

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Published 12 December 2011