This paper explores recent developments and best practices in supply chain transparency, supplier engagement, and responses to shifts in trade and globalization.

2016 is a year of action: the United Nations, Governments, Business and Civil Society are coming together to jump-start progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2016 the UN Private Sector Forum focused on the role of business in advancing sustainable development to prevent global instability. Hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Forum was organized in collaboration with the Co-Chairs of the United Nations High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly to address Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants.

The examples in this publication offer an important step forward in providing companies with guidance on why and how they can make practical contributions in this area – in ways benefitting both their business and the societies where they operate.

This joint publication of the Global Compact and the Office of the High Commissioner explores the practical meaning of the Global Compact’ s human rights principles for companies, presenting four case studies and a policy report on business practice. 

Presents case studies of companies that have adhered to the SA8000 standard as a way to advance their commitment to the Global Compact.

Showcases leading research from brokers and investment managers to demonstrate how investors and analysts are integrating ESG factors into fundamental equity valuation.

Reviews the recent history of such partnerships, and makes recommendations for enhancing their effectiveness and scale.

Identifies good practices that businesses can use to prevent and mitigate risks of being involved with adverse human rights impacts due to operating in a context of high levels of violent crime, and to support efforts to reduce the human rights impacts of violent crime rates in the areas where it operates.

A new working paper helps companies understand how to build and sustain organizations with integrity.

Explores how responsible businesses can best respect the right to privacy of customers, employees and other relevant stakeholders – whilst protecting their own legitimate legal and commercial interests. In particular, the webinar examines the challenges faced by companies operating in locations where the right to privacy is inadequately protected and/or is undermined by local law – with a focus on ‘higher risk’ sectors such as information technology and telecommunications. This includes an examination of how responsible companies are responding to state-backed mass surveillance programs in key jurisdictions – as well as the expanding use of digital surveillance in countries with poor human rights records.

The Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative is a peer-to-peer learning platform for exploring how exchanges, in collaboration with investors, regulators, and companies, can enhance corporate transparency – and ultimately performance – on ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) issues and encourage sustainable investment. Since 2012, several other leading exchanges have joined the group of SSE Partner Exchanges. UNCTAD, the UN Global Compact, the PRI and UNEP-FI, as the core organizer of the SSE Initiative, also committed to supporting stock exchanges in this effort. The SSE initiative invites exchanges globally to become a Partner Stock Exchange within the SSE by making a voluntary public commitment to promote improved ESG disclosure and performance among listed companies. http://www.sseinitiative.org

Hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Private Sector Forum 2015 focused on the role of the private sector in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Convened in the context of the UN summit for the adoption of Agenda 2030, the interactive Forum was designed to increase understanding of efforts underway by the private sector and civil society, and provide a platform for the private sector to announce long-term goals and partnerships that will make an important contribution towards achieving sustainable development for all.