Effective Governance Dinner Highlights Role of Business in Supporting Sustainable Development

(New York, 10 December 2014) – In commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the UN Global Compact’s 10th Principle against Corruption and International Human Rights Day, the UN Global Compact convened a dinner on Effective Governance for Sustainable Development. The dinner was attended by 70 high-level leaders from business, civil society, Government and the UN, and explored actions responsible business can take to support Governments in tackling corruption, strengthening the rule of law and building more peaceful and inclusive societies.

In his keynote remarks, Georg Kell, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact highlighted the Global Compact’s mutually reinforcing workstreams that promote effective governance and sustainable development: Business for Peace, Anti-Corruption and Business for the Rule of Law. These workstreams offer guidance on how business can support peace building, eliminate corrupt practices, and strengthen the rule of law through their core business, social investment and philanthropy, advocacy and public policy engagement, as well as partnerships and collective action.

Tom Shropshire, Partner at Linklaters LLP moderated a discussion exploring the role of business in advancing effective governance as a complement to Government action, which was followed by an open discussion on actions business can take to contribute to improved governance in the countries in which they operate. Bob Collymore, Board Member of the UN Global Compact, delivered closing remarks at the dinner urging all stakeholders to play their part in helping to ensure safe and peaceful environments that will stimulate economic growth and enable society to thrive. 

• See Background Note
• See Dinner Programme 

Contact

Ursula Wynhoven
General Counsel and Chief, Governance and Social Sustainability
UN Global Compact
wynhoven@un.org