2.23.2004 ET

(CSRwire) Global Compact Launched in Egypt

More than 200 leaders representing Egyptian business, government, civil society and academia gathered in Cairo on 9 February to formally launch the Global Compact in Egypt. The event, which was hosted by the Egyptian Federation of Industries, marks the first launch of the Compact in an Arab nation. (See http://www.unglobalcompact.org)

Global Compact and EFMD Launch Global Responsibility Initiative

On 29 January, the Global Compact and the European Foundation for Management Development(efmd) announced a unique partnership to address the question of how to best develop a new generation of globally responsible business leaders. The partnership is manifesting itself in a joint and open invitation which was launched on the occasion of efmd's 2004 Annual Meeting in Lisbon for the deans and directors of more than 200 business schools worldwide. (See http://www.unglobalcompact.org)

Chirac and Secretary-General Welcome Establishment of French Compact Network

On the occasion of the launch of the French Global Compact Network in Paris on January 27, President Jacques Chirac and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stressed their support for the Global Compact and the importance of international business cooperation. In his keynote speech following the launch event, Secretary-General Kofi Annan underlined the leadership role of many French companies and welcomed their commitment to the Global Compact. "I am grateful to French business leaders for organizing such an impressive national movement and giving practical meaning to the Compact," the Secretary-General said. He also expressed hope that the French Global Compact Network would become a model for other national networks to follow.

Referring to the Global Compact's ongoing work on transparency and anti-corruption, which included a policy dialogue on the issue in Paris on 26 January, the Secretary-General called on all stakeholders to "recognize that the fight against corruption is essential to give meaning to all the principles we seek to uphold." (See http://www.unglobalcompact.org)

Global Compact Convenes Dialogue on Transparency and the Fight Against Corruption

The Global Compact, in partnership with the French Ministry of Economy, Finances and Industry, convened an international policy dialogue in Paris on 26-27 January 2004 on the topic of "Transparency and the Fight Against Corruption." The meeting, which will take place at the Ministry, included nearly 150 participants and leading experts representing business, government, civil society, academia and the UN. (See http://www.unglobalcompact.org)

Secretary-General Addresses World Economic Forum

On 23 January 2004, Secretary-General Kofi Annan delivered a keynote address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In his speech, the Secretary-General highlighted the rapid growth of the Global Compact, which today includes 1,300 companies from more than 70 countries, in addition to dozens of civil society and labour organizations. While applauding participating companies for their commitment to the Global Compact and its principles, the Secretary-General urged more corporate leaders to step forward and accept the Compact's challenge - to help embed markets with universal values in order to create a more sustainable and inclusive global economy. (See http://www.unglobalcompact.org)

Global Compact Initiates Consultations on Corruption

From the inception of the Global Compact, questions were raised regarding the need for a principle-based approach to fighting corruption within the Global Compact framework. With the signing of the UN Convention Against Corruption on 9 December 2003, the issue has gained new relevance. Against this background the Global Compact Office has started inclusive, transparent and comprehensive consultations with participating companies to solicit their views regarding a potential introduction of a principle against corruption. Please visit our Policy Dialogue page on "Transparency and the Fight Against Corruption" for more information.(See
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/Portal/?NavigationTarget=/roles/portal_user/dialogue/Dialogue/nf/nf/transparency)

Leading Japanese Companies Join

Following the launch of the Global Compact Network Japan in Tokyo on 21 December 2003, several leading Japanese companies, including Nissan, Toshiba and Asahi Shimbun, announced their commitment to the Global Compact and its principles. (See http://www.unglobalcompact.org)

Hans Corell Delivers Speech at American Bar Association

On 17 January Mr. Hans Corell, the Under- Sectretary-General for Legal Affairs at the United Nations, delivered a keynote speech at the American Bar Association's midwinter council meeting in Santa Barbara, California. The speech entitled "The Business Lawyer and International Law" focused a number of topics, including the Global Compact. Mr. Corell said that while the Global Compact is voluntary in nature, it is essential that corporate lawyers take a broader look at the responsibilities of companies, noting that failure to consider issues such as human rights -- especially in areas where laws are weak or non-existent -- can have damaging repercussions for a company. (See http://www.unglobalcompact.org)

Workshop Held on Small Business Development

On 15-16 January, a United Nations workshop on "Partnerships for Small Enterprise Development" was held at UN Headquarters in New York, co-sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Unilever, and the Global Compact.The workshop explored numerous examples of partnerships in support of small-enterprise development, including case studies involving a host of small businesses in developing countries and presented by Unilever, Shell, Hewlett-Packard, Anglo American, and Bolsa Amazonia/DaimlerChrysler. (See http://www.unglobalcompact.org)

First National Development Agency to Join

On 8 January 2004, Agençe Française de Développement (AFD) became the first public development institution to embrace the Global Compact and the nine principles. (See http://www.unglobalcompact.org)

Japan Network Established

On 21 December 2003, representatives of Japanese Global Compact participants and UN agencies established the Global Compact Japan Network in order to help Japanese companies advance the nine principles.(See http://www.unglobalcompact.org)

General Assembly Supports Global Compact Activities

Following lengthy negotiations, the fifty-eight session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted on 19 December Resolution A/RES/58/129, "Towards Global Partnerships," which outlines general principles and institutional lessons learned regarding partnerships and the role of the private sector in the work of the United Nations. The resolution takes note of the Global Compact and welcomes related activities. (See http://www.unglobalcompact.org)

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