Global Compact News and Events
Recent Headlines!
Letter by the UN Global Compact Ex. Director to business participants to support humanitarian relief in China, Myanmar
Al-Mailem Oilfield and Industrial Equipment Co., Arabtec, Dubai International Academic City, du, Emirates NBD, Jebel Ali Container Glass Factory, Masafi, RA International, Sabban Property Investments, Tameer, Tatweer, Total Project Management signed in for the Global Compact!
2008 World Business and Development Awards Launched
London, New York, Paris, 16 April 2008/UNDP —The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) are pleased to open nominations for the 2008 World Business and Development Awards in support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The awards recognize the contribution of the private sector to help achieve the MDGs through their core business. The deadline for nominations for the World Business and Development Awards is 30 May. Companies, institutions and associations of all types and sizes are invited to participate by nominating projects that document business activities leading to progress in achieving one or more of the MDGs. The winners will be announced on 24 September during a presentation ceremony in New York.
New Functionalities Improve Access to Communications on Progress
Global Compact Board Meeting
1 May 2008
United Nations Headquarters, New York
The Amsterdam Global Conference on Sustainability and Transparency
Sustainability Reporting Today: The Readers’ Verdict
7 – 9 May 2008
Amsterdam
Featuring the GRI Readers’ Choice Awards, supported by the Global Compact.
Global Compact Human Rights Working Group Meeting
9 May 2008
Amsterdam
Contact: Ursula Wynhoven (wynhoven@un.org).
JCI Conference of Africa & Middle East
14 – 17 May 2008
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Meeting will feature, among other topics, the recently launched cooperation between Global Compact Local Networks and JCI National Organizations from the region.
Contact: Soren Petersen ( petersens@un.org )
Business leaders and environmental champions convened in Singapore for the second B4E – Business for the Environment Global Summit.
More than 500 government, NGO and business leaders and press from about 30 countries attended the second B4E - Business for the Environment Global Summit in Singapore. Jointly hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Global Compact, the event was held at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre from 22 to 23 April 2008. The two-day summit addressed how corporate citizens can advance business-driven, pro-environment strategies that will also have a positive impact on their bottom line. Mrs. Habiba Al Marashi, Chairman of EEG, and UN Global Compact Board Member, participated in the conference, during a panel discussion on Environmental partnerships: Leverage corporate and NGO capabilities. This distinguished group of speakers discussed how, through aligned vision, shared principles, exchange and collaboration, business and NGO partnerships can succeed in tackling a wide range of environmental issues including industrial waste management, poverty and renewable energy.
Global Compact Network for the GCC States Launched
Please check the EEG website News Update section.
Upcoming Events
June
Principles for Responsible Investment Annual Meeting: PRI in Person
17 – 18 June 2008
Seoul
The Principles for Responsible Investment includes more than 290 signatories with assets over $11 trillion. More information on PRI.
Contact: Jerome Tagger (jerome.tagger@unpri.org).
July
Junior Chamber International - UN Summit
28 – 29 July 2008
United Nations Headquarters, New York
Organized by Junior Chamber International and the Global Compact.
Contact: Matthias Stausberg ( stausberg@un.org )
September
COPENMIND
1 – 3 September 2008
Copenhagen
COPENMIND is the global market place for the world’s leading universities to present their technical know-how to corporations in order to generate partnerships to solve major environmental problems.
Contact: Anders Holst (akh@copenmind.com) or visit the COPENMIND website.
1st General Meeting of Caring for Climate Signatories
Date to be determined
New York
The Global Compact and partners will convene an international meeting of Caring for Climate signatories to take stock of progress to reduce emissions, review the priorities, address challenges and identify opportunities. More specifically, the meeting will: i) constitute a learning forum to discuss strategies; ii) showcase innovative best and emerging practices; and iii) provide a platform to analyze actions undertaken by various sectors.
Learn more about Caring for Climate and how to endorse this environmental leadership initiative.
Contact: Lila Karbassi ( karbassi@un.org ).
October
VI Annual Local Networks Forum
21 – 22 October 2008
Bonn
Annual meeting of Global Compact Local Networks from around the world to exchange experiences and practices. This annual meeting also provides the opportunity to seek the input of Local Networks on key governance issues relating to networks and the broader Global Compact initiative.
Contact: Soren Petersen ( petersens@un.org )
Archive
2008
April
Joint letter from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Executive Director of the Global Compact
New York, 28 April 2008.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Louise Arbour, and the Executive Director of the Global Compact, Mr. Georg Kell, jointly issued a letter to Global Compact participants encouraging companies to advance human rights principles within their own operations and sphere of influence.
Principles for Responsible Management Education Now Endorsed by Over 100 Business Schools
March
Op-ed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: Water is Life
Global Compact and Lions Club International Announce Collaboration
CEO Water Mandate Convenes Inaugural Working Conference
On 5-6 March, the United Nations Global Compact, in partnership with the Pacific Institute, convened the inaugural working conference of The CEO Water Mandate. The conference, held at UN Headquarters in New York, brought together senior representatives from numerous corporations, as well as policy leaders from civil society organizations, UN agencies as well as specialized water institutes.
February
New Implementation Tool: The GLN OpenAccess Tool for Global Compact Signatories
January
Business Calls on Governments to Establish Effective Anti-Corruption Mechanisms
Representatives of international business met in Bali on 30 January 2008 for a special meeting titled “Business Coalition: the United Nations Convention against Corruption as a New Market Force”.
UN Secretary-General Urges Business to Act on Water
Update on UNGC-GRI Value Platform
The UN Global Compact (UNGC) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) have issued an update on their rapidly expanding alliance known as the “UNGC-GRI Value Platform” which was first announced in October 2006.
Executives Discuss Establishment of Global Compact Tourism Initiative
Business Leaders Address Alliance of Civilization Forum First Alliance of Civilizations Annual Forum- 15 – 16 January Madrid
Hosted by the Alliance of Civilizations, this high-level event brought together political leaders, representatives of international and regional bodies, donor agencies, civil society groups and foundations to explore ways of addressing the growing polarization between nations and cultures worldwide and develop partnerships to promote cross-cultural understanding globally. The United Nations Global Compact has closely partnered with the Alliance of Civilizations Secretariat in order to make possible the active participation in forum by the corporate sector. In the working session on the corporate contribution to the Forum, EEG Chairperson Habiba Al Marashi participated as a representative of the UN Global Compact alongside a delegation of several business leaders representing Global Compact signatories. The session intended to focus on the ways in which business and cross-cultural understanding can benefit each other. Ensuing discussions highlighted the importance of managing cultural diversity and also touched upon issues of corporate governance, transparency and the fight against corruption. Underlying these issues, it was clear that it was increasingly complex to view the role of business in society from a purely economic stance, due to globalization and the greater social and environmental demands on the corporate sector. This led to the main outcome of the working session, which was the mutual appreciation that intercultural understanding is a central factor in the corporate world today. It was agreed that the creation of business value today is based on the premise of working in ‘each country on behalf of that country and for its benefit’ especially with respect to multinational corporations which make strategic investments in countries of diverse cultures and civilizations. Consequently, CSR becomes increasingly crucial in a company’s strategy today. A major outcome of the entire Forum was the announcement of high-profile projects targeted at youth and media. H.H. Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser-el-Missned of Qatar announced a $100 million investment in a Global Youth Employment Initiative. H.M. Queen Noor of Jordan launched a $100 million Alliance of Civilizations Media Fund to support the production and distribution of films that enhance the already existing connection between diverse societies.
Institutional Investors Engage with Global Compact Participants
For more information on News and Events of the Global Compact click here.
|