Istanbul, Türkiye

More than 120 companies and business associations, along with 18 Local Networks, support UN Global Compact’s Business for Peace

(Istanbul, 30 September 2014) – Recognizing that business cannot thrive in societies that fail, and that peace and stability provide a key foundation for economic development, more than 120  companies from around the world have now joined Business for Peace (B4P). The UN Global Compact together with 18 of its Local Networks have championed the initiative since its launch by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last September.

Marking the first anniversary of Business for Peace, over 150 participants attended the inaugural B4P event, which concluded today. More than 20 companies joined the platform from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, Republic of Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States – bringing the total number of B4P signatories to 122. The Global Compact Network Ukraine also formally joined the initiative.

Hermes Equity Ownership Services Chairman and B4P Steering Committee Chair Sir Mark Moody-Stuart opened the gathering. He said, “One year after the launch of Business for Peace, this meeting brings leaders from business and civil society together to discuss real practical examples of business contributions to peace, ranging from employment and reintegration of former militia members to inclusion of disadvantaged groups of different religious backgrounds.”

Throughout the two-day meeting, the cross-sectoral and cross-thematic programme enabled participants to explore the challenges and opportunities of operating in complex environments. Special emphasis was placed on collaborative approaches to engage various types of organizations around thematic areas where business can make transformative contributions to peace.

Business for Peace is the first Global Compact platform in which Local Networks can join alongside companies. This bottom-up, grassroots approach offers hubs where companies and other stakeholders can share experiences and identify the factors critical to recovery within the country.

As more companies take up the challenge of advancing human rights, environmental protection, labour standards and anti-corruption in high-risk areas they not only can prevent harm, but can also make positive contributions to longer-term sustainable peace. Dr. Yilmaz Arguden, Chairman of Global Compact Network Turkey which hosted the event, highlighted this unique role of the private sector in a statement: “Without economic activity there cannot be peace and without peace there cannot be economic development. Therefore, the business world plays a critical role in maintaining peace.”

In order to increase awareness of the contributions business can make toward peace, seven of the 18 Local Networks in B4P have hosted national or regional launch events, providing a platform to identify thematic areas where business can make its greatest contributions to peace in that country or area:

• In Indonesia interfaith dialogue is being facilitated by the business community. A private sector roundtable was hosted by the Global Compact during the Sixth Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (August 2014) to promote inter-cultural and inter-religious peace and harmony.  
• The Colombian Local Network has engaged the national business community in the ongoing peace talks, making progress towards ending the decades-long violence in the country. Businesses have committed to assist with social integration of ex-combatants by changing their hiring practices while also supporting victims of the conflict. 

Read more about Business for Peace and download the inaugural Business for Peace Annual Event agenda.

Contact

Melissa Powell
Head, Strategy & Partnerships and Business for Peace
UN Global Compact
powell1@un.org