Global Compact, an important network

In 1999, at the behest of then U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Global Compact was created to stimulate businesses to be progressively more responsible by urging them to apply the U.N. principles related to human rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption. Companies that endorse the Global Compact are assisted in defining a clear vision that influences their corporate culture and are urged to continuous improvement through advocacy, insight, and support.

Among the most recent initiatives are the Climate & Gender Accelerators, programs aimed at supporting companies in implementing responsible practices and fostering the advancement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda globally in the areas of climate change, gender equality, integrating the SDGs into business strategy and empowering young people. Accelerators are aimed exclusively at UN Global Compact member companies and run in close collaboration with local networks. Today the Global Compact Network brings together more than 20,000 companies operating in 160 countries.