Local Networks in Asia/Oceania Region Meet to Discuss Business Engagement in Post-2015 Development Agenda

(Jakarta, 26 February 2014) – The Global Compact Local Network Regional Meeting – Asia/Oceania concluded today in Jakarta, Indonesia. Attended by representatives from Local Networks in Australia, Bangladesh, India, Japan, Maldives, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam, and Indonesia, the meeting focused primarily on outcomes from the Global Compact Leaders Summit 2013, and the launch of the Post-2015 Business Engagement Architecture.

New issue platforms and engagement opportunities were presented to Local Networks as vehicles for business to contribute to the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Special focus was given to the recently launched Business for Peace platform, the UN Global Compact Business Partnership Hub, Social Enterprise and Impact Investing, and the Business and Education Framework. The newly instituted Communication on Engagement (COE) for non-business participants was also discussed.

The meeting also marked the beginning of the consultation process in the region on the Post-2015 Business Engagement Architecture, which will be open for input until 14 March 2013. Representatives engaged in discussions on the Architecture and agreed to use the new framework as a foundation for their upcoming strategic processes. The consultation on the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also conducted as agreed at the 2013 Annual Local Network Forum in Geneva.

A half-day partnership training was conducted by TPI with Local Networks and Indonesian business representatives as a means of building local capacity and engagement in the region. The training not only focused on creating partnerships, but also providing guidance on how to discuss the work of the UN Global Compact and to encourage new businesses to become signatories of the Global Compact and the Local Networks.

Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in two site visits to local companies and discuss the challenges and opportunities they face in integrating corporate sustainability principles into their business strategy and operations.

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Contacts

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

Ryo Kobayash
Regional Networks Manager – Asia/Oceana
UN Global Compact
kobayashi@unglobalcompact.org