Human rights are universal and every person around the world deserves to be treated with morality equally. Basic rights include freedom of speech, privacy, health, life, liberty and security, as well as an adequate standard of living. While governments have the duty to protect individuals against human rights abuses by third parties, businesses are recognizing their legal, moral and commercial need to get involved.

Businesses, as the sector who has minimum responsibilities to meet to respect human rights must act with due diligence to avoid harming the rights of others. This means they must address any negative human rights impacts related to their business and must also abide by international standards and avoid causing or contributing to adverse human rights impacts through their activities and relationships.

The UN Global Compact’s human rights principles (Principles 1 and 2) are derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We call on companies to respect and support internationally-proclaimed human rights, and to ensure they are not complicit in human rights abuses. The UN Global Compact promotes tools and resources aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. We also offer engagement opportunities to help businesses respect and support human rights.

Economic growth alone is not enough to ensure equity, social progress and to eradicate poverty. All employees around the world should have proper working conditions. However, child labour and forced labour still occur nowadays as global supply chains. Perilous workplaces continue to exist and discrimination remains a challenge.

Companies need to uphold labour standards across their own operations and value chains. Decent work involves employment that is productive and delivers a fair income. It also should ensure workplace security, social protection, better prospects for personal development and social integration. Businesses should also focus on non-discrimination, equal opportunities and treatment (including for men and women), and freedom to express workplace concerns.

The UN Global Compact’s labour principles (Principles 3, 4, 5 and 6) are championed by the International Labour Organization (ILO). We provide guidance and support to address a range of issues, including child labour, forced labour and discrimination. We also help companies address issues of freedom of association and collective bargaining. Much of our work also falls under our Human Rights and Supply Chain activities.

The world today is facing unprecedented, interconnected environmental challenges in areas including climate change, water, energy, biodiversity and agriculture. With business relying on natural resources directly and via supply chains, new corporate efforts are needed to address environmental responsibilities, value natural capital, and better understand the linkages between resources.

To prepare for this increasingly challenging landscape, the Global Compact’s work on environment is designed to help companies develop a holistic and comprehensive strategy. It recognizes the growing linkages among various environmental issues – climate, food, water – as well as their connections to social and development priorities.

The Global Compact pushes companies to move beyond traditional approaches based largely on compliance and narrow risk assessments. We ask business to actively address environmental risks and opportunities, and have major efforts underway with business in the areas of climate, water and food. As a result, we are seeing businesses around the world preparing for a more sustainable future and becoming part of the solution.

UN Global Compact implement the third pillar of UN Global 10 Principles involving Principles 7,8, and 9. These principles are derived from the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.

Corruption is a considerable obstacle to economic and social development around the world. It has negative impacts on sustainable development and particularly affects poor communities.

For companies, corruption disrupts business growth, escalates costs and poses serious legal and reputational risks. It also raises transaction costs, undermines fair competition, impedes long-term foreign and domestic investment, and distorts development priorities. Regarding to the good understanding that Investors have that corruption can negatively impact value and pose financial, operational and reputational risks to their investments, new and tougher anti-corruption regulations continue to emerge worldwide. All companies need robust anti-corruption measures and practices to protect their reputations and the interests of their stakeholders.

Championed by the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, The UN Global Compact’s 10th Principle states that “Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.” We call on companies to develop policies and programmes to address all forms of corruption. We challenge companies to join peers, governments, UN agencies and civil society to realize a more transparent global economy.