UN Member States Renew and Strengthen the UN Global Compact's Mandate

(New York, 6 December 2013) – Today the Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (Economic and Financial Committee) adopted a resolution on the evolving strategic engagement between the United Nations and the private sector.

The resolution, under General Assembly agenda item 26 (Towards global partnerships: A principle-based approach to enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and all relevant partners), reiterates the Global Compact’s broad mandate, which is to “to advance United Nations values and responsible business practices within the United Nations system and among the global business community”.

The UN Member States welcomed efforts by all relevant partners, including the private sector, to engage in development and recognize the critical role the private sector plays in advancing internationally agreed goals – including the Millennium Development Goals – through partnerships, employment and investment, new technologies and vocational training. Specifically, the resolution recognizes “the vital role that the United Nations Global Compact Office continues to play with regard to strengthening the capacity of the United Nations to partner strategically with the private sector.”

The UN Secretary-General’s leadership on partnerships was strongly supported, and his call to improve collaboration of the United Nations with all relevant partners, including the private sector, was welcomed.

For the first time, UN Member States welcome the important role of Global Compact Local Networks in diffusing United Nations values and principles and facilitating partnerships with business on a broad scale. UN Global Compact Local Networks are also recognized for gathering input from businesses on the Post-2015 Development Agenda and promoting poverty eradication and sustainable development.

The resolution further elaborates on the importance of the UN Global Compact’s integrity measures and welcomes various issue-based platforms, placing a special emphasis on the Women’s Empowerment Principles.

Every two years the UN Global Compact reports to the UN General Assembly on its progress in engaging the private sector to implement responsible business practices and support UN goals. This constitutes an important political review process that takes stock and elaborates next steps for the UN Global Compact.

UN Global Compact Executive Director Georg Kell commented: “The strong mandate of this resolution reflects the universal support of UN Member States that the UN Global Compact enjoys in advancing UN values and principles throughout the marketplace.”

The resolution was agreed by consensus and draws upon the report of the UN Secretary-General on "Enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and all relevant partners, in particular the private sector” (A/RES/66/223). The UN Global Compact’s progress will next be reviewed in 2015.

• General Assembly Resolution (A/C.2/68/L.24)
• Report of the UN Secretary-General on "Enhanced cooperation between the United Nations and all relevant partners, in particular the private sector" (A/68/326)

Contact

Ursula Wynhoven
General Counsel
UN Global Compact
wynhoven@un.org