Chinese Companies Address Responsible Business in High-Risk Areas and Human Rights

(Beijing, 17 April 2013) – Today concluded a two-day conference for business executives on “Sustainable Business in the Global Context: Rights, Risks and Responsibilities” in China. The event was organized by the United Nations Global Compact, Global Compact Local Network China, the Global Business Initiative on Human Rights, the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management.

Bringing together over 200 senior business leaders from China and abroad, together with investors and other stakeholders, the event presented a unique opportunity to share good practices, challenges and lessons learned on two critical topics: responsible business and investment practices in high-risk areas, and the corporate responsibility to respect and support human rights. The event was followed by an interactive Roundtable for Practitioners on Risk Management and Human Rights on 17 April.

As China’s companies increasingly operate overseas and become more integrated into the global economy, the conference enabled Chinese business leaders to explore the challenges and opportunities of implementing responsible business and investment practices in high-risk environments. Chinese companies are taking steps to pursue responsible business practices even in difficult operating environments and advance sustainable development – helping to ensure their long-term success while making a positive contribution to the societies in which they operate.

Featuring a vibrant Global Compact Local Network representing over 250 Chinese participants, the event demonstrated that many Chinese companies are exploring how to better align their operations with the Global Compact’s ten principles and deepen their engagement on human rights issues. Chinese business representatives shared with foreign business leaders their experiences on how they respect and support the UN Global Compact principles in all countries of operation.

The conference helped to build the business case for corporate respect for human rights in global operations – in alignment with both the UN Global Compact principles and the UN Guiding Principles – and highlighted practical ways in which companies can respect and support human rights. Participants discussed the rationale for considering human rights performance when making business partnership and investment decisions. The value of partnerships and collective action was also featured as a way to enhance corporate contributions to society.

The event provided an occasion to launch the UN Global Compact-PRI Guidance on Responsible Business and Investment in High-Risk Areas: A Resource for Companies and Investors in China. Adopting a pragmatic approach, this resource supports companies in developing policies and procedures to align their operations with their commitment to the Global Compact in challenging operating environments. It also serves as a common reference point for more constructive engagement between companies and investors.

• Download the Guidance on Responsible Business and Investment in High-Risk Areas: A Resource for Companies and Investors. English | 中文

Contacts

Melissa Powell
Head, Business and Peace
UN Global Compact
powell1@un.org

Meng Liu
China Representative
UN Global Compact
lium@un.org