UN GLOBAL COMPACT BULLETIN
FEBRUARY 2010
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SUMMIT REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2010
NEWS & UPDATES
1. business.un.org: New UN-Business Website Brokers Partnerships & Supports Development
2. 859 Companies Delisted for Failure to Communicate on Progress
3. Global Compact and BSR Launch Project on Supply Chain Sustainability
4. Temporary Disruptions to Global Compact Website
5. Reminder: Updated Procedure for Submitting a Communication on Progress (COP)
6. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings
ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
1. Call for Examples:
Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Corporate Efforts to Respect and Support Children’s Rights
2. More Opportunities: Caring for Climate, Fighting corruption in the supply chain, Global Compact/IBA video for corporate counsel, and more
FEATURED RESOURCES
1. Business & Human Rights Special Supplement: News, Engagement, Resources, Events
EVENTS
1. UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2010 (24-25 June, New York) – INVITATION ONLY
2. Responsible Investment & Business Practices in Conflict-Affected Countries (1-2 March, Khartoum) – OPEN EVENT
3. Marketplace on Innovative Financial Solutions for Development (4-5 March, Paris) – OPEN EVENT
4. Equality Means Business (9 March, New York) – LIMITED AVAILABILITY
5. Global Compact Asia-Pacific Regional Conclave 2010 (15-16 March, New Delhi) – OPEN EVENT
6. Sustainability Virtual Summits: Smart ICT (30 March – 1 April, Online) – OPEN EVENT
7. Second Meeting of Caring for Climate Signatories (7-8 April, Geneva) – INVITATION ONLY
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NEWS & UPDATES
1. business.un.org: New UN-Business Website Brokers Partnerships & Supports Development
Launched in January, the new UN-business partnership gateway provides a single entry point to match the capacities and resources of the private sector with the needs of the UN System. On business.un.org, businesses seeking to contribute to UN work can browse available humanitarian needs and partnership opportunities, or simply submit ideas for collaboration. Based on shared characteristics, the site then flags potential matches. business.un.org is a joint effort of more than 20 UN organizations, coordinated by the UN Global Compact and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. More.
In the wake of the disaster in Haiti, business.un.org has been used by companies around the world to support UN efforts by pledging cash and in-kind contributions, including medical supplies, logistics support, food and water, shelter and communications equipment.
Visit business.un.org to learn more, browse partnership opportunities and support Haiti.
2. 859 Companies Delisted for Failure to Communicate on Progress
Between 1 October 2009 and 1 January 2010, 859 companies were removed from the Global Compact database of participants for failure to meet the initiative’s mandatory annual reporting requirement. The total number of businesses removed for this reason now stands at 1,840. At the same time, the Global Compact continues to experience strong growth. In January, 127 companies joined the initiative, bringing the total to over 5,300 business participants from more than 135 countries. More.
3. Global Compact and BSR Launch Project on Supply Chain Sustainability
A joint project with BSR (Business for Social Responsibility) is underway to develop strategic guidance material for business on the implementation of the Ten Principles in supply chain programmes and operations. This work was officially kicked off at the first meeting of the new Global Compact Advisory Group on Supply Chain Sustainability (Oslo, 26-27 January). Three resources – to be launched in June at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2010 – are under development with the group’s oversight and input. More.
4. Temporary Disruptions to Global Compact Website
In January, the Global Compact launched a new IT infrastructure for improved website and database functionality. The transition to the new system resulted in disruptions to certain processes on the website, notably COP submission and participant management. As of 1 February, the COP submission system is operational. The Global Compact is working to restore other affected processes and links as soon as possible, and apologizes for this inconvenience.
5. Updated Procedure for Submitting a Communication on Progress (COP)
As announced in the January Bulletin, beginning on 1 February 2010, when submitting a COP to the Global Compact website a company is required to answer basic questions related to the content and format of the COP. The update to the COP submission procedure is intended to improve the ability of interested parties – such as investors, academics and civil society – to search COP content, and is being implemented in line with the latest COP Policy (April 2009). More on COPs. Read the COP Policy.
6. Participant Status: New Signatories, COPs and Delistings
In January, 127 companies and 57 non-business stakeholders joined the Global Compact. 799 companies were delisted for failing to communicate on progress*. The largest companies (by employee number) to join during the month were: Rosneft Oil Company JSC (Russia), AstraZeneca (United Kingdom), NCC Group (Sweden), Daiwa Securities Group Inc. (Japan), Thai Binh Holding & Shoes Manufacturing Company (Viet Nam), SSAB AB (publ.) (Sweden), Suramericana (Colombia), Delta Lloyd (Netherlands), A to Z Textile Mills Limited (Tanzania, United Republic of), and Marine Harvest ASA (Norway).
* The high number of delistings in January is due to a policy adjustment (announced April 2009) that went into effect on 1 January, whereby the “inactive” status in the Global Compact database was eliminated. Companies are now delisted after one year of being marked as “non-communicating”.
Total figures as of 31 January:
Business participants: 5,308
Non-business participants: 2,040
COPs received: 7,021
Delisted business participants: 1,840
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ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities are intended for Global Compact stakeholders unless otherwise indicated.
1. Call for Examples:
Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Global Compact participants are invited to submit brief examples describing efforts to incorporate and promote the Ten Principles in their supply chains – to be included in an upcoming publication. Examples can include: managing supply chain sustainability internally, designing management structures, engaging with procurement, setting objectives and incentives, engaging with suppliers, using the contracting process to promote sustainability, auditing suppliers’ performance and building capacity, and promoting sustainable management systems.
For further information or to submit an example, please contact Cecilie Hultmann ().
Corporate Efforts to Respect and Support Children’s Rights
Global Compact participants are invited to submit examples of their efforts to respect and support children's rights – to be included in a compilation of good practices. Examples can include company efforts to: combat child labour, promote child protection, ensure child safety, respect children's rights in advertising and marketing, and support the child-related Millennium Development Goals.
For further information or to submit an example, please contact Lauren Gula ().
3. More Opportunities: Corporate responsibility to respect human rights, fighting corruption in the supply chain, 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
1. Business & Human Rights Special Supplement – News, Engagement, Resources, Events: Provides a focused update on recent Global Compact news, engagement opportunities, resources and events related to business and human rights. Download.
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EVENTS
1. UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2010 (24-25 June, New York)
– INVITATION ONLY – The Leaders Summit will convene chief executives with leaders from civil society, government and the UN to elevate the role of responsible business in bringing about the needed transformation to more sustainable and inclusive markets. Held every three years, the Summit is the forum for Global Compact participants to renew their commitment to responsible practices, share progress made and set the direction for the coming years.
For information and to register, please visit the Leaders Summit website or email .
2. Responsible Investment & Business Practices in Conflict-Affected Countries (Khartoum, 1-2 March)
– OPEN EVENT – Hosted by the UN Global Compact Office, Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and the Global Compact Network Sudan. The event will bring together business, investors, civil society, academia, UN and Government to explore a common understanding of what is considered "responsible" business practice in the context of Sudan, and how the private sector can contribute to sustainable peace and development. Agenda.
To express interest in participating, please contact Melissa Powell ().
3. Marketplace on Innovative Financial Solutions for Development (4-5 March, Paris)
– OPEN EVENT – Convened by the French Development Agency (AFD), together with the World Bank and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and endorsed by the Global Compact. The event will highlight innovative financial mechanisms to respond to development challenges at the local, regional and global levels, covering issues such as: financial access for SMEs, insurance products and innovating finance for CSR in developing countries.
For information and to register (free of charge), please visit the Event Website.
4. Equality Means Business (9 March, New York)
– LIMITED AVAILABILITY – Convened by the UN Global Compact and UNIFEM, this multi-stakeholder event will launch the Women’s Empowerment Principles: Equality Means Business. Held in celebration of International Women’s Day, the meeting will explore the practical relevance and implementation of the Principles in the workplace, marketplace and community. Agenda.
To express interest in participating, please contact Lauren Gula ().
5. Global Compact Asia-Pacific Regional Conclave 2010 (15-16 March, New Delhi)
– OPEN EVENT – Organized by the Global Compact Network India in partnership with the UN Global Compact Office. Global Compact participants based – or with subsidiary operations – in the region are invited to explore the role of the Global Compact in enhancing responsible business practices in Asia-Pacific. All stakeholder groups are encouraged to attend.
For information and to register (free of charge), please visit the Event Website.
6. Sustainability Virtual Summit: Smart ICT (30 March – 1 April, Online)
– OPEN EVENT – A continuation of discussions that took place at the UN Climate Change Conference (Copenhagen, December 2009), this is the first in a series of Summits that will focus on Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) that can contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change.
For information and to register (free of charge), please visit the Event website or contact Anne Feldmann ().
7. Second Meeting of Caring for Climate Signatories (7-8 April, Geneva)
– C4C SIGNATORIES ONLY – Convened by the UN Global Compact Office, the event will bring together Caring for Climate signatories to share practices in managing risks and opportunities related to climate change, poverty alleviation and global issues. Implications of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) for business will be examined.
For information and to confirm participation by a Caring for Climate signatory, please contact Lila Karbassi ().
2010 Event Calendar
February
Human Rights Working Group Meeting (9 February, Online)
Engaging Philanthropy to Promote Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (22 February, New York)
March
Responsible Investment & Business Practices in Conflict-Affected Countries (1-2 Mar, Khartoum)
Marketplace on Innovative Financial Solutions for Development (4-5 Mar, Paris)
Equality Means Businesss (9 Mar, New York)
Global Compact Asia Pacific Regional Conclave 2010 (16-17 Mar, New Delhi)
Sustainability Virtual Summits: Smart ICT (30 Mar – 1 Apr, Online)
April
Second Meeting of Caring for Climate Signatories (7-8 April, Geneva)
UN System Private Sector Focal Points Meeting (13-14 April, Geneva)
CEO Water Mandate Working Conference: Water and Public Policy (15-16 April, New York)
B4E Business for Environment Global Summit 2010 (22–23 April, Seoul)
June
VIII Annual Local Networks Forum (23 June, New York)
2010 Global Compact Leaders Summit (24–25 June, New York)
August
Global Compact China - Japan - Korea Roundtable Conference (Date TBD, Shanghai)
World Expo 2010: UN Global Compact Exhibition at the UN Pavilion (2-13 August, Shanghai)
September
Third UN Private Sector Forum: The Millennium Development Goals (Date TBD, 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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Published 5 February 2010