6.02.2004 ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK - On 24 June 2004, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan will convene the Global Compact Leaders Summit at U.N. Headquarters in New York. The Summit will be the largest gathering ever of CEOs, government officials and leaders of civil society on the topic of global corporate responsibility. Approximately 400 participants will attend the one-day Summit, including hundreds of chief executive officers and senior executives of major international corporations. President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil will deliver the keynote luncheon address.

Participants will assess the progress of the United Nations Global Compact and announce new initiatives. CEOs and other leaders will exchange experiences regarding the implementation of the Global Compact's principles in the areas of human rights, labor conditions and the environment.

Launched by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2000, the Global Compact today includes more than 1,400 companies. The Global Compact is the world's largest voluntary corporate responsibility initiative, with networks and activities in more than 70 countries worldwide.

Media representatives are invited to attend the Summit. To learn more about the Global Compact Leaders Summit and to register and obtain U.N. media credentials for the event, please visit www.unglobalcompactsummit.org.

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