Business for Peace Platform Unveiled at UN Global Compact Leaders Summit
New York, September 19, 2013 /3BL Media/ – The neutral grounds of workplace and marketplace, and the natural desire of businesses large and small to operate in settled conditions and as part of strong societies, are tools for a new initiative on Business for Peace.
The platform, to be formally launched by the UN Secretary-General at the triennial UN Global Compact Leaders Summit on 20 September in New York, aims to engage companies in actions that contribute to peace in a wide range of environments, including periods of strife, situations which may turn into conflict and post-conflict conciliation.
Representatives of companies participating in 17 country networks of the UN Global Compact – the world’s largest corporate sustainability network – and more than 45 individual firms met at a kickoff event today at the Global Compact Summit.
Organizers say that “B4P” builds on over a decade of work, drawing on practices that have been adopted by companies in diverse parts of the world. The platform is the next step on the way to elevating and strengthening support for business contributions and for public-private dialogue to advance peace.
Documentation of successful actions for peace by companies, investors and business networks was presented in a resource publication issued at today’s event. Responsible Business Advancing Peace offers a practical understanding and suggests measures and actions through which companies, investors and local networks can make a positive contribution to peace.
In particular, the new Business for Peace issue platform will support infrastructure development; providing food, water and shelter for refugees or other victims of conflict; job training, especially for ex-combatants and youth; foster entrepreneurship and job creation; and promoting inter-cultural and inter-faith understanding and tolerance.
“Joining this issue platform will help companies in troubled zones to better identify and manage risks, engage in dialogue to establish local priorities and conciliate among groups, and benefit from experiences in other parts of the globe,” said Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, former Chairman of Royal Dutch/Shell Group, chairman of Hermes Equity Ownership and Vice-Chairman of the board of the UN Global Compact. “It also allows companies in more settled situations to support peace around the world, and to support overseas affiliates that may find themselves in a conflicted or high-risk environment.”
Given the importance of local context, a unique feature of this platform, Sir Mark stressed, is that Global Compact Local Networks from around the world can join, alongside companies. These networks are becoming powerful hubs where companies and others can share experiences and focus on the critical factors for each particular country.
A partner in the new initiative is the Oslo Business for Peace Awards.
Also participating in the 20 September launch of B4P are International Chamber of Commerce Secretary-General Jean Guy Carrier; and Oil and Natural Gas Ltd. (ONGC) Chairman and Managing Director Sudhir Vasudeva.
The following day, Saturday 21 September, is the UN International Day of Peace.
- Download the Business for Peace Resource Package
- Learn more about Business for Peace
About the UN Global Compact
Launched in 2000, the United Nations Global Compact is both a policy platform and a practical framework for companies that are committed to sustainability and responsible business practices. As a multi-stakeholder leadership initiative, it seeks to align business operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to catalyze actions in support of broader UN goals. With 8,000 corporate signatories in 145 countries, it is the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative. www.unglobalcompact.org
About the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit
Chaired by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2013: Architects of a Better World (19-20 September) brings together chief executives with leaders from civil society, Government and the United Nations to unveil a new global architecture for corporate sustainability. As the Millennium Development Goals 2015 deadline approaches, the Summit will set the stage for business to shape and advance the post-2015 development agenda – putting forward an architecture for business to contribute to global priorities, such as climate change, water, food, equality, decent jobs, and education, at unprecedented levels. www.leaderssummit2013.org
Founding Participants of Business for Peace
Global Compact Local Networks
Canada, Colombia, Egypt, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Turkey, Uganda and the United Kingdom. In addition, the Regional Center for the Support of the Global Compact in Latin America and the Caribbean is acting in support of Local Networks.
Companies
Alvimedica (Turkey), ANDESCO (Colombia), Bahrian Travel (Sudan), Barrick Gold Corporation (Canada), Better Life Education Ltd (Myanmar), Blue Moon Ltd (Egypt), Bogota Chamber of Commerce (Colombia), Burns & Baker Associates Pty Ltd (Australia), Caribbean Office of Tade & Development Ltd (Trinidad & Tobago), Carlos Alberto Palta (Colombia), CIWI (Germany), The CSR Agency (Romania), CTC Group (Sudan), Dal Motors Group (Sudan), Empressa de Energia de Bogota (Colombia), E-Prospects (UK), Happy Forest International Group (China), INDUPALMA (Colombia), ISAGEN (Colombia), Khalid Emran Ltd (Afghanistan), Lonmin (UK), Magma Ingeniero Contratistas SAS (Colombia), Mainstay Property Solutions (Thailand), Mas Holdings (Sri Lanka), Monsour (Egypt), Mynamar Polestar Travel & Tours (Myanmar), ONGC (India), Pacific Rubiales Energy (Colombia), PT Martina Berto, Tbk (Indonesia), PT Rajawali Corpora (Indonesia), PT Singaland Asetama (Indonesia), PT Tandan Sawita Papua (Indonesia), PT Trans Javagas Pipeline (Indonesia), Pulau Umang Resort Hotel of PT Griya Sukses Mandiri (Indonesia), Sagya (Sudan), Sakhi Barbar Construction Company (Afghanistan), Sinopec (China) ,Sudatel (Sudan), Sutrac (Sudan), Telefonica Colombia (Colombia), Tippel S.A. (Colombia), Toks (Mexico), Unilever (Anglo-Dutch), Virtusa (Sri Lanka).
Media Contact
Kristen Coco
Public Affairs and Media Relations
UN Global Compact
cocok@un.org
+1 917-367-8566 / +1 917-288-0787
