Global Compact Network Korea Hosts the Leaders Summit Korea 2017

The following is an article submitted by a Global Compact Local Network. Please contact the local network contact person listed below with any questions regarding its contents.

(Seoul, 11 September 2017) – The Global Compact Network Korea hosted the Leaders Summit Korea 2017 on Monday, 11 September 2017 at the Walkerhill Hotel Vista Hall, Seoul. Nearly 400 leaders from business, Government, civil society and academia attended. The Summit held in celebration of the network’s 10th anniversary comprised special events such as ‘the Global Compact Value Awards’ and ‘the CEO Support for Achieving SDGs.’ Moreover, H.E. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who was recently appointed Honourary President of the Global Compact Network Korea, delivered the keynote.

Said Mr. Ban: “It is quite moving to know that my 10 years of office coincided with the Global Compact Network Korea’s first 10 years.” He added, “Companies all over the world can become a key partner in finding solutions for the greatest threats to the world community by joining the Global Compact. I hope that more companies will engage in corporate sustainability and social responsibility to create a better world. In this journey, the Global Compact Network Korea will be your trustworthy partner. As the Honourary President, I too will endeavour to leverage my previous experience as the UN Secretary-General to help Korean companies show leadership in the global community.”

Following the keynote, ‘the Global Compact Value Awards’ were given to ten UN Global Compact signatories that have been at the forefront of implementing the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact for the past 10 years. Seoul Metropolitan Government, Korea Airports Corporation, Korea Tourism Organization, KT, LG Electronics, SK Telecom, DGB Financial Group, Yuhan-Kimberly, Samduk Tongsang Co., Ltd., and Korea Human Rights Foundation received the award for their commitment to CSR. The awardees were evaluated based on their alignment with the values of the UN Global Compact’s values, involvement in key initiatives and projects, transparent communication with the stakeholders, and support for the Global Compact Network Korea.

Moreover, “CEO Commitment to SDGs” aimed to encourage Korean business leaders to join the global endeavors for the achievement of the SDGs. As a result, 31 Korean leaders from private and state-owned companies, public organizations, cities, and civil society made a statement of commitment to advance the SDGs and to integrate the Global Goals into their strategies and operations. These participants include Korea Midland Power Co. Ltd., Korea Green Foundation, CJ CheilJedang, and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction.

At the Korea Leaders Summit Korea 2017, the Global Compact Network Korea also announced the release of 2017 Korean Companies in Support of the Sustainable Development Goals and distributed it to Government officials, business leaders and civil society representatives at the event. This compilation of case examples includes vision, core strategy, policy and actions of 28 private and state-owned companies, public organizations and cities in Korea.

The Summit brought together various stakeholders including the participants of the Global Compact Network Korea, Government, civil society and academia to celebrate the past and envision the future corporate sustainability partnership to come. 

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• See further details on the 2017 GC Network Korea Leaders Summit 2017
• Learn more about the CEO Support for Achieving SDGs
• Learn more about the ‘2017 Korean Companies in Support of the Sustainable Development Goals’

Global Compact Network Korea Contact:

Ms. Eunkyung (Eva) Lee
Chief/Senior Researcher
Global Compact Network Korea
Email: gckorea@globalcompact.kr