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UN GLOBAL COMPACT BULLETINJULY 2010
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1. Global Compact Leaders Summit 2010 Brings Together Over 1,200 Leaders to Assess State of Corporate Responsibility and Chart Course Towards New Era of Sustainability:
2. Summit Unveils New Resources, Initiatives and Alliances
3. Global Compact Annual Review Released, Finds that Corporate Responsibility Remains High on Business Agenda Despite Economic Downturn
4. Academic Leaders Meet at Global Forum, Call on Business to Balance Social and Economic Objectives
5. SUNY Global Center to Lead Adoption of UN Global Compact in Higher Education Worldwide
6. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings
1. 2010 World Business and Development Awards: Submit Nominations
2. Support Sustainable Development: Partnership Opportunities for Business
3. CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles
4. More Opportunities: SEED Initiative Award, Anti-corruption pilot programme, and more
1. Africa Private Sector Forum (22-23 Jul, Kampala)
2. World Expo 2010: UN Global Compact Exhibition at the UN Pavilion (2-13 Aug, Shanghai)
2010 Event Calendar
July
Africa Private Sector Forum (22-23 Jul, Kampala)
August
World Expo 2010: UN Global Compact Exhibition at the UN Pavilion (2-13 Aug, Shanghai)
September
Third UN Private Sector Forum: The Millennium Development Goals (Week of Sep 20, New York)
October
Caring for Climate / B4E Special Event (4-5 Oct, Cancún)
Please visit the Event Calendar on our website to learn more about the listed events, including intended audience and availability.
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1. Global Compact Leaders Summit 2010 Brings Together Over 1,200 Leaders to Assess State of Corporate Responsibility and Chart Course Towards New Era of Sustainability:
– UN Secretary-General Engages Business Leaders to Renew Public Trust, Advance Global Investment and Meet Anti-Poverty Goals
Corporate leaders from around the world were urged by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to lead a “race to the top”, embracing openness, anchoring profit-making in social principles and favouring long-term horizons over the pursuit of short-term profits. The Secretary-General expressed his hope that the Global Compact become a “truly transformative movement”, reaching 20,000 participants by 2020. More.
– Business and UN Raise the Bar for Corporate Practices in “New York Declaration”
Recognizing that, in the aftermath of the 2009 recession, “the need for responsibility and leadership has been never greater,” Leaders Summit participants approved by acclamation the “New York Declaration by Business”. The New York Declaration cites 10 key principles covering human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption principles that benefit both business and society. These ten founding principles of the Global Compact were augmented by a Blueprint for Corporate Sustainability Leadership, presented for the first time at the Leaders Summit. More. Read New York Declaration. Blueprint for Corporate Sustainability Leadership, Download.
– New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Addresses Global Compact Leaders Summit
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg welcomed leaders from business, government and civil society to the Leaders Summit, calling for innovative public-private partnerships and proclaiming that New York City “strives to advance the principles of the UN Global Compact every single day." The Mayor outlined numerous ways in which the City of New York is working to advance sustainability, particularly with regard to the environment and the administration’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by the year 2030. Speaking on the issue of human rights, Mayor Bloomberg stressed that business respect for human rights "earns the consumer respect and support that no marketing or advertising campaign can buy.” More.
– Governments Issue First Ever Ministerial Statement on Importance of Corporate Sustainability
High-level representatives of more than 40 Governments issued a Ministerial Statement recognizing the crucial role of Governments in promoting corporate responsibility and engaging the private sector in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The Government representatives encouraged the private sector to contribute to sustainability and development through market based approaches that further economic, social and environmental progress. More. Read Ministerial Statement.
– Global Compact, Accenture Release Findings of Largest CEO Study on Corporate Sustainability
In spite of the recent economic downturn, an overwhelming majority of corporate CEOs – 93 percent – say that sustainability will be critical to the future success of their companies. Furthermore, CEOs believe that, within a decade, a tipping point could be reached that fully meshes sustainability with core business. These are among the key findings of a survey of 766 CEOs around the globe – the largest such research study of top executives ever conducted on the topic of sustainability. More. Download A New Era of Sustainability: UN Global Compact-Accenture CEO Study 2010. View response to study findings from the investment community.
2. Summit Unveils New Resources, Initiatives and Alliances
– Assessments
– Principles
– Tools & Guidance
– Best Practices
To obtain copies of any of these publications please contact: globalcompact@un.org
Please visit the Tools and Resources webpage to access all material issued by the Global Compact.
3. Global Compact Annual Review Released, Finds that Corporate Responsibility Remains High on Business Agenda Despite Economic Downturn
The financial crisis and subsequent economic downturn appear not to have slowed down efforts to advance responsible business conduct, yet global challenges like corruption and human rights remain neglected. These were among the findings of a global survey of business participants of the Global Compact. A total of 1,044 businesses in 97 countries, representing nearly 20 percent of all Global Compact participants at the time, completed the 2009 Implementation Survey, making it one of the largest, most comprehensive studies on global corporate responsibility implementation. The survey formed the basis for the 2009 Global Compact Annual Review. More. Download Global Compact Annual Review.
4. Academic Leaders Meet at Global Forum, Call on Business to Balance Social and Economic Objectives
Educators and administrators from 37 countries, meeting at the second UN Global Forum on Responsible Management Education, called on business leaders to better balance social and economic objectives and encouraged management education to prepare future leaders for this challenge. Academic leaders who participated in the forum reaffirmed their commitment to PRME, assuring their support for researchers, task forces and associations dedicated to the globalization of business education and development of effective leaders. More.
5. SUNY Global Center to Lead Adoption of UN Global Compact in Higher Education Worldwide
The Global Compact and the State University of New York (SUNY) announced a collaboration to develop guidelines for academic institutions in implementing the ten principles. The Global Compact also appointed Dr. Mitch Leventhal as senior advisor on academic affairs to the Global Compact; Dr. Leventhal serves as vice chancellor for global Affairs at SUNY. More.
6. Letter to Global Compact Participants from UNEP Executive Director Outlines Key Resources
Achim Steiner, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme has issued a letter to all Global Compact participants regarding key resources that may prove useful in addressing the broad challenge of environmental sustainability in future business strategies. Additional partnership opportunities are also referenced within the letter. Download Letter.
7. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings
In June, 120 companies and 55 non-business stakeholders joined the Global Compact. 57 companies were delisted for failing to communicate on progress. The largest companies (by employee number) to join during the month were: Coal India Limited (India), Scotiabank (Canada), KPN N.V. (Netherlands), Louis Dreyfus Commodities B.V. (Netherlands), Sulzer Ltd (Switzerland), Anhanguera Educacional S.A. (Brazil), Fortum Corporation (Finland), Dangote Group (Nigeria), NEW WIDE GROUP (China), and Telefonica Brasil (Brazil).
Total figures as of 30 June:
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Opportunities are intended for Global Compact stakeholders unless otherwise indicated.
1. 2010 World Business and Development Awards: Submit Nominations
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) are accepting nominations for the 2010 World Business and Development Awards in support of the MDGs. Created in 2000, the Awards recognize the key contributions the private sector has made to the MDGs, demonstrating how innovative business models, backed by strong partnerships, can enjoy commercial success and at the same time improve the lives of millions of people. In September, leaders from business and government will convene in New York for the MDGs Summit, hosted by the UN Secretary-General. The 2010 World Business and Development Award recipients will be identified in conjunction with the MDGs Summit.
The deadline for nominations for the World Business and Development Awards was extended to 15 July 2010. Companies, institutions and associations of all types and sizes are invited to participate by nominating a project that documents business activities leading to progress in one or more of the MDGs. Click here for more information about the awards, including eligibility criteria and nomination forms. Previous winners.
2. Support Sustainable Development: Partnership Opportunities for Business
This year marks a decade since world leaders committed to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), but much remains to be done to reach these critical milestones. Business leaders must intensify their efforts to help combat global poverty, hunger and disease and are encouraged to inspire others to do the same. The upcoming Leaders Summit will offer an excellent platform for companies to demonstrate how they are making a contribution to development and the MDGs. The Global Compact hopes that every company attending the Summit will come prepared to share a new commitment. We expect that a highlight of the event will be the announcement of new partnerships between business and the UN in support of the MDGs.
We encourage you to review the prepared list of partnership opportunities from across the UN System that both contribute to the MDGs and could benefit from additional corporate engagement.
3. CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles
Top executives of Global Compact companies are invited to sign the CEO Statement of Support for the Women's Empowerment Principles -- Equality Means Business (WEPs). The WEPs offer guidance to companies on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community and emphasize the business case for corporate action to promote gender equality. By signing the Statement, CEOs demonstrate leadership on gender equality and women’s empowerment, encouraging other business leaders to do the same.
Download a list of the first companies to endorse the CEO Statement of Support for the Women's Empowerment Principles. For more information please contact Lauren Gula (gulal@un.org).
4. More Opportunities: SEED Initiative Award, Anti-corruption pilot programme, 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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1. Africa Private Sector Forum (22-23 Jul, Kampala)
– OPEN TO PARTICIPANTS FROM AFRICA – The Based on the theme “Creating new business opportunities in the aftermath of the global economic and financial crisis” – reflecting Africa’s importance as an increasingly dynamic economic region. The Forum will explore the opportunities created by the crisis, and identify Africa’s potential role in the context of the global economy. Strategies to boost the private sector’s role as an engine of growth will be a focus, including consideration of various policy instruments to achieve strong, sustained and balanced growth within the continent.
For information please download background note and agenda. Business and non-business participants from Africa are asked to confirm their participation by 15 July by writing to register@unglobalcompact.org.
2. World Expo 2010: UN Global Compact Exhibition at the UN Pavilion (2-13 Aug, Shanghai)
– OPEN EVENT – The theme for the UN Pavilion will be “One UN, One Earth”. Participating in both permanent and changing exhibitions within the UN Pavilion, the Global Compact will demonstrate how the business community, through Local Networks, are promoting sustainable development around the world. Key side events include:
– Global Compact High Level Forum China (2 Aug)
– OPEN INVITATION – In celebration of the ten year anniversary of the Global Compact representatives from business, civil society, government and the UN will gather at the UN pavilion during the Shanghai World Expo. Key experiences of implementing the Global Compact will be highlighted as well as the future of the initiative in China. Strengthening the initiative in a local context will be discussed and priorities will be identified.
For more information on these events please contact Meng Liu (lium@un.org).
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