UN Global Compact Welcomes the Belt and Road Leaders’ Endorsement of the Ten Principles

UNITED NATIONS, New York, April 30, 2019 /3BL Media/ — Lise Kingo, CEO & Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact, welcomed the joint communiqué from the Leaders' Roundtable of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, calling it a significant endorsement of the role of the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact in helping business make their critical contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The joint statement by nearly 40 Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to the 2030 Agenda, reiterating all stakeholders’ responsibility to promote peace, development, human rights and mutually-beneficial cooperation, and honour the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law. The leaders called on all market players in the Belt and Road cooperation to fulfill their corporate social responsibility and follow the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact.

“We are delighted and encouraged by this endorsement of our Principles from world leaders,” said Lise Kingo. “It is in the core of our mission to support companies to do business responsibly by aligning their strategies and operations with Ten Principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and take strategic actions to advance broader societal goals, such as the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Speaking at the roundtable, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “To transform our world, we need inclusive, sustainable growth that uplifts surrounding communities, responds to the needs of all, brings women into the economy of tomorrow, and is fully compatible with the Paris Agreement on climate change and the SDGs. Together — and the Belt and Road Initiative is an absolutely crucial instrument for that — we can move farther down the road to realizing the 2030 Agenda and to achieving our global vision for people, planet and prosperity.”

Initiated by the Government of China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative is a development strategy involving infrastructure development and investments in 152 countries. The 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was held in Beijing from 25 to 27 April 2019 with the theme ‘Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future.’

In his opening remarks, President Xi Jinping of China emphasized that all parties involved should make support of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development an integral part of Belt and Road cooperation, and pursue economic growth, social progress and environmental protection in a balanced way.

Earlier this year, the UN Global Compact together with the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) brought together more than 40 Chief Executives of local and global companies — including Lise Kingo — to discuss responsible business practices in China and abroad.

About the United Nations Global Compact

As a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations Global Compact works with 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 UN Global Compact guides and supports 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 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.

Contact

UN Global Compact
Leila Puutio
Coordinator, Communications
Tel: +1 646-884-7523
Email: media@unglobalcompact.org