The UN Global Compact
About Global Compact
UN Global Compact (UNGC) is an international corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiative. Created in 2000 at the call of the ex-UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the UNGC has become an important tool for involving business in the formation and promotion of the sustainable development concept.
The UNGC is growing and demonstrating a new approach to the very nature of business, one that goes beyond the dogma of profit at any cost and becomes on the same side with society, sharing and creating common values with it in the interests of man and nature, humanity and the planet. The UNGC has significantly influenced the fact that the reliability and prospects of any business has begun to be assessed in economic, environmental, social and ethical terms in their conscious relationship.
The inclusion of the UNGC principles in commercial and business strategies, and public confirmation of commitment to the UNGC and the 2030 Agenda are now widely recognized indicators of responsible corporate practices and good business reputation, as well as important elements of long-term business sustainability.
“I propose that you, the business leaders gathered in Davos, and we, the United Nations, initiate a global compact of shared values and principles, which will give a human face to the global market.” (UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in an address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, 1999)
UNGC Mission
The mission of the UNGC is to mobilize a global movement of responsible companies that, in different political, economic, environmental, cultural, geographical and other conditions, share and implement the same ethical principles (the Ten UNGC Principles) on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption, as well as support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contribute to their achievement.
UNGC Participants
Participants of the UNGC are, first of all, companies of all sizes and forms of ownership, as well as organizations and non-profit associations working with business in the context of the sustainable development agenda, which publicly declare their support for the mission of the initiative at the level of top executives and take on the obligations of the UNGC participants, the fulfillment of which is confirmed by regular Communication on Progress. The UN Global Compact brings together more than 12,000 members from 160 countries around the world, representing more than 68 million of their employees and workers.
20 years and beyond
For 20 years, the UNGC has been inspiring and supporting business to be a force for good and create the world we want.
The UNGC has a historic role to play in shaping modern business standards, a new understanding of business leadership and in expanding the concept of corporate responsibility to the boundaries of sustainable development. The UNGC contributes to the transition of sustainability topic to the level of top decision makers taking personal responsibility for the further actions of their companies in letters addressed to the UN Secretary-General, who heads the Board of the UNGC.
The Global Compact has always been and remains an incubator of ideas, a tool to stimulate and develop best practices, a club of like-minded people and a unique global partnership.
Global Compact+15: Business as a Force for Good