UN Global Compact Launches New Report on Human Rights as the Foundation of Sustainable Business

GENEVA, November 26, 2018 /3BL Media/— In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Global Compact has released a new report — Human Rights: The Foundation of Sustainable Business — showcasing opportunities for businesses of all sizes and sectors to strengthen and scale up their efforts on human rights.

Launched at the 2018 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva, the report highlights how the UN Global Compact is working with its business participants and other partners to advance human rights, featuring a compilation of company examples, key resources and relevant activities at the global and local levels.

“The Universal Declaration has particular relevance to the business community,” says Lise Kingo, CEO & Executive Director of the UN Global Compact. “We have called on businesses to adopt a principles-based approach that places human rights at the centre of their strategy. Meaningful business action on the Global Goals is not about just finding an easy entry point. The deep changes needed to achieve the Goals will require transforming value systems, establishing a culture of integrity and aligning business practices with universal principles.”

The report celebrates the important progress that has been made by the business community on human rights, while at the same time recognizing there is still a long way to go before respect for human rights is truly universal. In highlighting the critical human rights challenges that we continue to face today, the report points to the 40 million people still in modern slavery around the world, as well as the widening economic gender gap.

Building on the findings of the 2018 UN Global Compact Progress Report — where only 27 per cent of companies reported performing risk assessments directly linked to human rights, and only 17 per cent reported conducting impact assessments linked to human rights — the report challenges companies to move from commitment to action by deepening their efforts to respect and support human rights throughout their supply chains and operations.

The report also presents snapshots of how the UN Global Compact has worked to elevate and scale its engagement with business in the area of human rights in the lead up to the 70th anniversary — ranging from working with the UN Global Compact Board to stand up for human rights, to hosting training sessions on the Academy learning platform including with the former High Commissioner for Human Rights, to convening human rights-focused CEO Roundtables around the world.

More Information

The Human Rights: The Foundation of Sustainable Business report celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and builds upon the UN Global Compact Progress Report. The report highlights insight and initiatives by Global Compact Local Networks around the world, presents snapshots of current practices from companies participating in the UN Global Compact and showcases initiatives that are advancing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

About the United Nations Global Compact

As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Launched in 2000, the mandate of the UN Global Compact is to guide and support the global business community in advancing UN goals and values through responsible corporate practices. With more than 9,500 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries, and more than 70 Local Networks, it is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world.

For more information, follow @globalcompact on social media and visit our website at www.unglobalcompact.org. Join the conversation with us on social media by using the hashtag #StandUp4HumanRights.