Trade and Development / UN Global Compact; Additional contribution to the Business for Peace initiative in 2013-2014

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

UN Global Compact (UNGC) is a global corporate leaders’ initiative, launched by UN Secretary-General, which aims at transforming the business world to operate, both in developed and developing countries, in a socially and environmentally sustainable and responsible manner. UNGC advances human rights, gender equality, good governance and environmental sustainability in the form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and partnerships between companies and the UN System. UNGC on the largest global network that advances the business commitment to CSR and sustainable development. Finland has funded the UNGC through the UN Trust Fund since 2009. UNGC's operations have significant indirect development impacts, particularly in poor developing countries and growing economies: increase in business; economic growth; increased number of jobs; business activity for human rights, women's status, good governance and environment; growth in tax and export incomes; and more partnerships between companies and the UN in order to advance sustainable development. UNGC launched the Business for Peace (B4P) initiative at the Global Compact Leaders Summit on 20 september 2013. B4P aims at engaging companies to advance peace and security and responsible business conduct in conflict/post-conflict countries and fragile states.