UN Global Compact Leaders' Summit: time to move from aspirations to performance
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On 24 June 2004 the Global Compact Leaders' Summit will take place at the UN Headquarters in New York.
The Summit, to be chaired by Kofi Annan, will assemble the leaders of companies participating in the UN Global Compact initiative, international labour and civil society organizations in addition to selected governments' officials, to take stock of the Global Compact and chart its future course.
Amnesty International, The Ethical Globalization Initiative and Oxfam International will take the opportunity of this event to highlight with the UN Secretary General areas in which further action is needed in order to strengthen the Global Compact's credibility and effectiveness, including:
(a) Confirm the establishment of the Integrity Committee and conciliator(s),as part of the Integrity Measures being discussed at the Advisory Council; and publicize this mechanism and keep its operations transparent so that civil society groups can raise their concerns about the conduct of specific companies or industries.
(b) Challenge companies to move beyond current efforts, beyond rhetoric and policy dialogues, and demonstrate the tangible impact of their activities on human rights, labour rights and environment including by actively using tools such as those already developed as part of the Global Compact’s policy dialogues.
(c) Express support for the process underway within the UN human rights system to clarify the responsibilities of companies for the promotion and protection of human rights and encourage companies to use this opportunity to test the Norms adopted by the UN human rights Sub-Commission as a useful complement to principles one and two of the Global Compact.
"To make a lasting impact on the shape and direction of globalization, we believe the Global Compact now needs to be strengthened with greater systems of accountability and performance."
These recommendations followed another call made by Amnesty International and other organizations to address similar concerns in a letter sent last year to Louise Fréchette -Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Amnesty International raises concerns with the United Nations Global Compact
