Global Compact Local Networks Regional Meeting – Africa and MENA Convened

(Accra, 21 February 2014) – The Global Compact Local Networks Regional Meeting for Africa and MENA concluded this week in Accra, Ghana. Local Networks from Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Egypt, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda were represented. The meeting focused on the outcomes of the Global Compact Leaders Summit 2013, the Post-2015 Business Engagement Architecture and renewed efforts by the Global Compact to scale up corporate sustainability in Africa.

Recently launched issue platforms, such as the Business and Education Framework and Business for Peace, were introduced as ways to help companies in Africa and MENA to continue raising awareness for corporate sustainability throughout the continent. The UN Global Compact Business Partnership Hub and the Social Enterprise Collaboration Lab were also highlighted as mechanisms for increasing engagement and collaboration.

Participants at the Regional Meeting were able to attend two training sessions – one on partnerships led by the Partnering Initiative, and one on reporting led by the Global Compact. In addition, participants had an opportunity to give their feedback and share their insights on governance issues and engagement opportunities.

During the same week, the UN Global Compact and the Global Compact Network Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO, hosted a special CEO roundtable discussion on corporate sustainability in Ghana. The event convened over 50 business leaders from a variety of industries, including banking, mining and manufacturing. The roundtable provided a forum for current Global Compact business signatories from Ghana to interact with non-signatories, and discuss the challenges and opportunities of integrating corporate sustainability principles into their business practices. Discussions highlighted the need to change negative investor perceptions of doing business in Ghana, and encourage good corporate citizenship – through platforms such as the Global Compact – as a first step towards building a stable environment for companies and investors and enhancing long-term business profitability and sustainability. 

• See the agenda
• Learn more about Global Compact Local Networks

Contacts

Walid Nagi
Head of Local Networks
Regional Networks Manager – MENA
UN Global Compact
nagi@un.org 

Tiina Mylly
Regional Networks Manager – Africa
UN Global Compact
mylly@un.org