 At the World Economic Forum, Davos on January 31,
1999 the UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan challenged world business leaders to
"embrace and enact" the Global Compact, both in their individual corporate
practices and by supporting appropriate public policies. These principles cover human
rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
"The GRI is an important
complement to my own Global Compact initiative, which advances universal principles in the
same areas, and provides a value-based platform for efforts to foster good corporate
citizenship through learning, projects and dialogue. I commend the close collaboration
between the GRI and the Compact, and the key role played by the UN Environmental Programme
in both."
Companies participating in both initiatives
recognize that the GRI is a practical expression of the Compact, and that companies which
report under the GRI fully meet the Compact’s reporting requirements. I hope that
over time, all Global Compact companies will make use of the GRI and, conversely, that all
GRI companies which do not yet support the Compact will do so soon."
Kofi Annan
Secretary General,
United Nations |
• Rights
The Secretary General asked world businesses to:
1: support and respect the protection of international human rights
within their sphere of influence; and
2: make sure their own corporations are not complicit in human rights
abuse.
• Labour
The Secretary General asked world business to uphold:
3: freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right
to collective bargaining;
4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and
occupation.
• Environment
The Secretary General asked world business to:
7: support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental
responsibilities; and
9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly
technologies.
• Anti-corruption
10: business should work against all forms of corruption, including
extortion and bribery.
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