The leading global corporate sustainability project, the UN Global Compact, recently celebrated its 15th year with a sequence of events spanning three days. The event Global Compact + 15: Business As A Force For Good, had 1,000 participants who assessed the UN Global Compacts contribution towards enhancing a global corporate sustainability movement over the past fifteen years, the role it played in raising a global sustainability movement, and its future routes on topics ranging from anti-corruption and climate to human rights.

The three-day programme concluded with a gathering of government, business and civil society leaders, at the UN General Assembly Hall, expounding the role the private sector plays in expanding global priorities.

The UN Global Compact was launched officially on July 26, 2000 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

At another event, Business For Peace, Deputy UN Secretary Jan Eliasson, drew the participant’s attention to the crucial role business plays in peace, secondary only to the UN Security Council and governments.

Eliasson explained how the decisions a company makes on employment and investment, on environment protection, on its dealings with local communities and on general recruitment and training, have an impact on lowering conflict and fostering peace in society.

The United Nations Global Compact is the brainchild of the United Nations, established to promote businesses around the globe to incorporate sustainable and socially sound policies and to give an account of their implementation.

Aspiring to create a sustainable and inclusive global economy through which all communities, markets and the public can derive long-term benefits, the UN Global Compacts works in close association with businesses from around the world.

Companies can connect with civil society, labour groups and UN agencies and, through the Cities Program, cities can join the Global Compact.