Business Forum Advances Uptake of Environment and Anti-Corruption Principles in Latin America and the Caribbean

(Lima, 6 November 2012) – More than 300 representatives from business, government, civil society, academia and Local Networks convened for the II Latin America and Caribbean Global Compact Business Forum, ahead of the annual Local Networks Regional Meeting.

The Forum was organized by the Regional Center for the Support of the Global Compact in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the support of the Global Compact Network Peru and the Confederacion Nacional de Instituciones Empresariales Privadas (CONFIEP). Twenty panelists represented the private sector, the UN Global Compact, other UN organizations, the LAC Regional Center, the Peruvian Government, media and academia.

The Business Forum sought to promote and encourage integration of the Global Compact's ten principles into the business strategies and daily operations of companies throughout the region. The meeting also showcased efforts taken by the private sector to enhance implementation of the environment and anti-corruption principles. There was particular focus on sustainable and responsible mining due to the importance of this sector in the region, with the goals of minimizing environmental impacts, creating employment and improving social conditions. The Forum also provided insights on current regional developments related to anti-corruption standards and mechanisms to support the private sector in improving transparency.

As part of the Forum, a number of speakers delivered remarks on advancing corporate sustainability throughout Latin America:

• H.E. Juan Jimenez Mayor, Prime Minister of Peru, underscored the Forum as a key opportunity to strengthen the competitiveness of companies in Peru and the region.
• Humberto Speziani, President of CONFIEP, highlighted efforts of Global Compact business participants in the region to incorporate responsible environmental practices, as well as the role of the private sector in building strategic partnerships to advance ethics and transparency.
• Diego de la Torre, President of the Global Compact Network Peru, emphasized the importance of a market economy in which companies operate responsibly and sustainably to produce positive impacts on society and the environment.

Also presented at the Forum was a collection of eight best practices from Global Compact participants on environment and anti-corruption. These examples were selected by a committee of representatives from Universad Externado de Colombia, the LAC Regional Center, and Colombian and Paraguayan Local Networks who reviewed 45 proposals from 31 companies in seven countries.

• Learn more about the Latin America and Caribbean Global Compact Business Forum and the LAC Regional Center.
• Learn more about the Global Compact’s principles on environment and anti-corruption.
• Read about the Local Networks Regional Meeting Americas.

Contact

Walid Nagi
Acting Head, Local Networks
UN Global Compact
nagi@un.org