Secretary-General Urges Board Members to Champion Corporate Sustainability

(7 May 2013, New York) – The UN Global Compact Board concluded its first meeting of the year today to provide guidance on the future direction of the initiative. Chaired by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the biannual meeting focused on key priorities including the ongoing Global Compact strategic review, the sustainable funding model, and opportunities to go to scale in order to achieve the stated goal of 20,000 participants by 2020.

The Secretary-General welcomed the progress made by the Global Compact in critical areas – including empowering Local Networks, expanding issue platforms and deepening engagement between the Global Compact and the UN – and encouraged Board members to do more to advance corporate sustainability.

“More than 7,000 companies have embraced the Global Compact principles,” he said. “Now, the challenge is to move from incremental progress to transformation – in markets and societies alike.”

The Board, comprising high-level representatives from business, civil society, labour and the United Nations, also discussed the private sector contribution to the post-2015 development process, ahead of the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit to be held 19-20 September 2013 in New York.

“The Global Compact Leaders Summit in September is an opportunity to show the world how business and the UN can work together towards common goals in critical areas, such as climate change, energy, water, food, women's empowerment, children's rights, decent jobs, and education,” said the Secretary-General.

Chaired by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the biannual Board meeting focused on key priorities including the ongoing Global Compact strategic review, the sustainable funding model, and opportunities to go to scale. (Photo Credit: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas)

The Board meeting marked a significant governance change following the establishment of the Global Compact Local Network Advisory Group at the Annual Local Network Forum in Geneva in April. The Advisory Group serves as a conduit for all country networks to raise ideas and provide guidance to the Global Compact Office in order to maximize the initiative’s global-local reach, knowledge and expertise. Australian Representative Matthew Tukaki will occupy the ex officio seat of the elected Chair of the Local Network Advisory Group.

A joint session with the Global Compact Government Group was convened for the first time, signalling the important role of Governments in strategic discussions of the initiative. Government representatives provided insights related to the design and themes of the 2013 Leaders Summit and helped to inform the Global Compact’s long-term fundraising strategy.

As part of the meeting, Board members also participated in a high-level luncheon, co-hosted by Permanent Representatives of Norway, Indonesia and Kenya to the United Nations. Featuring the UN Secretary-General and attended by approximately 60 Government representatives, including nearly 30 Permanent Representatives, the luncheon engaged participants on the contribution that business and the UN Global Compact can make to shape and advance the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

During his remarks, the Secretary-General also addressed the recent incidents in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in which hundreds of garment factory workers were killed as the result of the Rana Plaza building collapse.

He cited the events as evidence of the Global Compact’s relevance: “Too many businesses are still willing to sacrifice workers’ rights and safety for the bottom line.” He continued, “The Global Compact has an essential role to play in promoting safe and sustainable employment and opportunity.”

A complete Board Meeting report will be available shortly.

• Read the Secretary-General's remarks at Global Compact Board Meeting
• UN News: Secretary-General urges businesses, consumers to better know their supply chains
• The Global Compact Board

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