Colombia

Human rights training for entrepreneurs

A new alliance, “Enterprise and Human Rights”, was entered into on 5 March 2008 by the Colombian coordinator of the Global Compact, the Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Colombia, the Colombian representatives of the UN High Commission for Human Rights, the UN High Commission for Refugees and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the director of USAID in Colombia and the coordinator of CERCAPAZ signed. The objective is to educate entrepreneurs around the world so that they can help prevent human rights violations, forced displacement and corruption, for example. The hope is that entrepreneurs will also create solutions for these problems.

GC Colombia contact: Mr. Luis Ernesto Salinas, luis.ernesto.salinas@undp.org

Ethiopia

Regional Meeting for African GC Network Focal Points

The 2008 African Private Sector Forum, organized by the African Union Commission and the Global Compact in Addis Ababa on 23-24 January, provided the opportunity to convene the first Regional Meeting for GC Network Focal Points in Africa. Participants from 14 countries discussed challenges faced by Network Focal Points in Africa and exchanged best practices. They were also given an overview on the current status of Networks in the region, as well as updates on the latest tools, resources and engagement opportunities available to Global Compact participants.

Contact: Mr. Soren Petersen, Head of Local Networks, petersens@un.org

France

Forum des Amis du Pacte Mondial holds 3rd General Assembly

On 9 April 2008, the French association Forum des Amis du Pacte Mondial en France organized its 3rd General Assembly. The meeting convened 160 chairs, CEOs and executives, particularly Sustainable Development Directors, for a two-part meeting. The first portion of the general assembly was dedicated to approval of the 2007 accounts and the 2008 budget, as well as renewals and nominations of new members to the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee met immediately after the meeting to elect the new chairman of the association. Gérard Mestrallet, the Chairman and CEO of Suez, was elected to succeed Bertrand Collomb, Chairman of Lafarge, who had chaired the association during its first three years.

The second portion of the meeting was a discussion on climate change. Discussants included Bertrand Collomb, Gérard Mestrallet, Nicole Notat (Chairwoman of Vigeo) and Claire Tutenuit (General Delegate of the NGO Entreprises pour l’Environnement). The debate included a Question & Answer session, during which Brice Lalonde, Ambassador for France to the climate change negotiations, intervened to give the position of the French government.

GC France contact: Mr. Konrad Eckenschwiller, pacte-mondial@idep.net

Gulf States

GC Network in Gulf Region Launched

A new regional network of Global Compact participants in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was launched in Dubai on 7 April 2008. The event was organized by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), under the leadership of Global Compact Board Member Habiba Al-Marashi, who serves as the Focal Point in the Gulf region.  Over 150 high profile business leaders, government officials, Heads of diplomatic and UN missions and civil society representatives attended the launch. The initiative received the support of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, who was the patron of the event.

The Global Compact was introduced in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and neighbouring states by the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), the UAE-based NGO. EEG launched a Corporate Social Responsibility Network in year 2004, as an extension of its long term successful engagement with the business and corporate sector. The network currently has over 42 members from both public and private sectors, and has undertaken a range of value add initiatives to promote good CSR practices among business. Through promoting the Global Compact among its own constituencies and beyond, the EEG seeks to align local CSR practices with international standards of excellence, and facilitate a constant flow of ideas and exchange among companies in the Region and those globally.

GC Gulf States contact: Mrs. Habiba Al-Marashi, eeg@emirates.net.ae

Indonesia

Global Compact signing ceremony in Jakarta

Indonesia Global Compact Network (IGCN) has experienced a surge in signatories, with 53 new organizations making a pledge to the UN Global Compact. The total number of participants in Indonesia has surpassed 125. In collaboration with Indonesia Marketing Association (IMA), the signing ceremony took place on 13 December 2007 and was attended by high officials, including the Minister of Communication and Information, Mohamad Nuh, the Minister of Industry, Fahmi Idris, and UNDP representatives. Additionally, more than 500 executives took part in the event.

GC Indonesia contact: Mr. Yogi Y., yogi.adjie@gmail.com

Japan

Strengthened CEO-led Network

On 21 February 2008, 34 participants of Global Compact Japan Network (GCJN) gathered for a General Meeting to discuss strategies to re-energize and strengthen the network. An important outcome of the meeting was the unanimous endorsement by the General Meeting participants of a plan to transition to a CEO-led network. The new organizational structure will come into effect on 1 April 2008. The new strategy was developed to counter stagnating involvement on GC activities by signatory executives, and to energize network participation at the corporate executive level. The new organizational structure is intended to strengthen the network and provide opportunities and forums for discussions, primarily for corporate executives and senior executives, to deepen and develop their understanding of corporate citizenship issues.

GC Japan contact: Ms. Miki Watanabe, miki.watanabe@fujixerox.co.jp

Lithuania

First Lithuanian National Responsible Business Award

Within the framework of a joint project between UNDP Lithuania and the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, a new CSR acknowledgement system was established at the end of 2007. The selection of nominees for the first Lithuanian National Responsible Business Award was officially announced in November 2007, with the official award ceremony held on 8 April 2008. The award had three award categories – Employer of the Year, Partner of the Year and Socially Responsible Enterprise of the Year. Each of these categories had three sub-categories rewarding SMEs, large national, and foreign-owned multi-national companies separately. Three Lithuanian participants of the UN Global Compact initiative received awards within the category of Socially Responsible Enterprise of the year.

Hosted by the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, the awards ceremony attracted many high level Government representatives, business representatives, trade unions and media.

GC Lithuania contact point: Ieva Labanauskiene, UNDP Lithuania, ieva.labanauskiene@undp.org

Moldova

“Green Day” partnership to improve public garden

Around 170 employees from 13 companies participating in the United Nations Global Compact network in Moldova (GCNM) spent Saturday, 12 April 2008, together in “Valea Trandafirilor” public garden situated in Botanica district of Chisinau municipality. For three hours, volunteer teams planted flowers, painted benches, raked leaves, dug tree beds and swept alleys. “Green Day” was the first item on the GCNM action plan for 2008. 

CSR business plan contest

On April 15 2008, the network members concluded the national business plan contest for the young conducted by ANTiM (National Association of Young Managers of Moldova). The GC Network in Moldova offered a special prize for the best business plan submitted that respects and promotes corporate social responsibility values.

GC Moldova contact: Ms. Aurelia Braguta, aurelia.braguta@undp.org

Panama

CSR Forum

“Responsible Competitiveness, Panama’s New Challenge” was the theme of the Panama Global Compact Local Network’s (PGCLN) 2nd Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Forum, which took place on 30 October 2007. Featured topics were responsible competitiveness, international CSR trends, and the proposed ISO 26000 SR guidance standard.

GC Panama contact: Mrs. Donna Grant – Blackie, dgrant@apede.org or pactoglobal@apede.org.

Russia

Launch of the GC Network in Russia

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attended the launch of the Global Compact Network in Russia during his meeting with over 30 top executives of Russian businesses. “I welcome today’s launch of a Global Compact Network in Russia as a great sign that Russian businesses, representing one of the world’s largest economies, are putting their weight behind the universal values of the United Nations,” said the Secretary-General.
 
The role of the Russian network will be to facilitate the progress of companies engaged in the Global Compact with respect to implementation of the ten principles, while also creating opportunities for multi-stakeholder engagement and collective action.  There are currently 24 members of the Global Compact in Russia, including big companies such as the United Company Russian Aluminum, the Russian Railways, Interros Group of companies, Renova, Sistema as well as the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) and several NGOs. 

GC Russia contact: Ms. Asel Abdurahmanova, asel.abdurahmanova@undp.org

Serbia

Launch of the GC Network in Serbia

The United Nations in Serbia and the National Bank of Serbia jointly launched the UN Global Compact initiative on 6 December 2007.  The launch was held at the new headquarters of the National Bank of Serbia in Belgrade and gathered together approximately 150 leaders of industry, representatives of trade unions, business associations, academia and civil society organizations.

The launch followed the receipt by the UN Resident Coordinator’s office in Serbia of the first wave of letters from companies and organizations operating in Serbia, such as BFC Lafarge, Holcim, Deloitte, Cisco Systems, EFG Eurobank, Pireaus Bank, Societe Generale Bank, Credite Agricole - Meridian Bank, and Smart Kolektiv. All pledged to advance the Global Compact principles.

GC Serbia contact: Mr. Stevan Vujasinovic, stevan.vujasinovic@undp.org

Slovenia

Europe Networking Event

In partnership with Bled Forum on Europe Association, UNGC Slovenia hosted a Networking Event on 6 March 2008. Jerome C. Glenn, Director of the Millennium Project from Washington, DC, spoke about the business implications of global climate change. Case examples provided lessons on how sustainability can be incorporated into core business strategy and innovations, as well as bring significant competitive advantage to a company.

GC Slovenia contact: Mrs. Nadia Zhexembayeva, nadya.zhexembayeva@iedc.si

Spain

Ongoing dialogue and learning forums

On 7 November 2007, the Spanish network ASEPAM (Asociación Española del Pacto Mundial) organized a dialogue forum in where Spanish participants discussed how to meet stakeholders’ expectations through the Communication on Progress. During the last period of 2007, the network also organized two learning forums on best practices, one regarding the implementation of the 10 principles and the other sharing practices to combat climate change.

GC Spain contact: Mr. Salvador García-Atance, bdiez@lealtad-scr.es

South Africa

17 South African companies sign-on to the Global Compact

On 10 April 2008, CEOs and senior executives from 17 leading South African companies gathered at AngloGold Ashanti Offices in Johannesburg to sign on to the United Nations Global Compact. The signing ceremony marked the closing of “The Global Compact in Africa” conference, co-hosted by the National Business Initiative (NBI) and the Stellenbosch University Unit for Corporate Governance in Africa. 

The one-day conference explored the meaning of the Global Compact in Africa, particularly the unique role that companies operating on the continent can play by implementing the ten Global Compact principles. A wide range of topics were discussed, including the role of South Africa as a dominant regional economy, the influence of China and India on Africa, regional water issues, the state of corruption, responsible management education, and case studies on practical implementation.

GC South Africa contact: Ms. Hermien Botes, botes.hermien@nbi.org.za