The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. It aims to mobilize a global movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders to create the world we all want.
To make this happen, the UN Global Compact supports 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 UN Sustainable Development Goals, with an emphasis on collaboration and innovation.
The UN Global Compact provides a principle-based framework, best practices, resources and networking events that have revolutionized how companies do business responsibly and keep commitments to society.
By catalysing action, partnerships and collaboration, the UN Global compact makes transforming the world possible — and achievable — for organizations large and small, anywhere around the globe.
For more information please visit the UN Global Compact website.
The Global Compact Network Pakistan (GCNP) is the Pakistani, business-led network of the UN Global Compact.
As the principal sustainability initiative in Pakistan, the GCNP brings together participants of the UN Global Compact, including a number of Pakistan’s leading companies, civil society organizations and academia to advance responsible business and the private sector’s contribution to sustainable development.
We lead, enable and connect business and stakeholders to create a sustainable future by acting responsibly and finding opportunity for positive impact. We do this by providing a platform for dialogue, learning, influence and action that is practical and leading edge. We guide businesses on how a principles-based approach to doing business by advancing the Ten Principles and the contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) drives long-term business success.
The GCNP is recognized as a trusted convener and adviser on responsible and sustainable business practices by sustainability practitioners. We provide business with a meeting point to share and build best practice and connect with networks and experts in Pakistan.
Participation in the UN Global Compact is open to any business genuinely committed to implementing the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and communicating on progress in implementing the principles each year.
Properly constituted companies (under prevailing national law) from any industry sector are eligible for participation, except those listed here. Non-business organizations — civil society organizations/NGOs, academic institutions, business associations, foundations, labour organizations, public sector organizations and cities — are also encouraged to become signatories to the UN Global Compact.
The UN Global Compact also has separate policies for micro-enterprises and subsidiaries:
- Micro-enterprises: If you have fewer than ten direct employees the UN Global Compact will consider your application for participation if the Local Network supports such an application. If you would like to learn more about this process, please contact info@gcnp.org.pk
- Subsidiaries: If you are a subsidiary of a parent company that is a UN Global Compact signatory you can join the initiative in Pakistan. In some cases, the parent company’s UN Global Compact commitment applies to all subsidiaries. Other times, subsidiaries can choose to become UN Global Compact signatories alongside their parent company. Either way, you can become a member of the Global Compact Network Pakistan.
Properly constituted companies (under prevailing national law) from any industry sector are eligible for participation, except those companies that derive revenue from controversial weapons, including the production, sale and/or transfer of antipersonnel landmines or cluster bombs and those that derive revenue from the production and/or manufacturing of tobacco.
New applications for participation are also checked against a global database to see if the company concerned is the subject of a UN sanction. Companies that have been suspended or removed for ethical reasons by the Procurement Division of the UN are also excluded from participation.
Any other information found in the database is shared with the Local Network Focal Point, if one exists, for the relevant country for additional input. For more information, please read the UN Global Compact Joining Policy.
The UN Global Compact provides a universal language for corporate responsibility and provides a framework to guide all businesses regardless of size, complexity or location.
We’re your guide in every step of the way. We’ll help you commit to, assess, define, implement, measure and communicate your sustainability strategy
As a voluntary initiative, the United Nations Global Compact seeks wide participation from a diverse group of businesses. As a participant of the UN Global Compact, a company:
- Sets in motion changes to business operations so that the UN Global Compact and its Ten Principles become part of the strategy, culture, and day-to-day operations;
- Is expected to publicly advocate the UN Global Compact and its principles via communications vehicles such as press releases, speeches, etc; and
- Is required to communicate with their stakeholders on an annual basis about progress in:
- Implementing the Ten Principles and
- Efforts to support societal priorities
The Communication on Progress (CoP) is a visible expression of your commitment to sustainability and your stakeholders can view it on your company’s profile page. Companies that fail to report or to meet the criteria over time may be removed from the initiative.
No. The UN Global Compact is a purely voluntary initiative. It does not police or enforces the behavior or actions of companies. Rather, it is designed to stimulate change and to promote corporate sustainability and encourage innovative solutions and partnerships. You can read more about our integrity measures here.
Sustainability is not just for big business, and the UN Global Compact counts thousands of SMEs in its participant base. As the UN Global Compact is a principles-based initiative, it has relevance to, and can be implemented by, companies of all sizes, across all sectors and regardless of whether you are operating domestically or internationally.
Please visit the UN Global Compact membership benefits page and the Global Compact Network Pakistan membership benefits page for fee information.
We’re glad that you’re interested in taking the next steps to become a member of the UN Global Compact and to actively engage with the Global Compact Network Pakistan (GCNP). The next steps are:
- Become a signatory to the UN Global Compact
- Complete the Global Compact Network Pakistan (GCNP) Membership Form
To become a member of the GCNP, you must first be a signatory to the UN Global Compact or be a subsidiary or affiliated office of a global signatory.
Both business and non-business organizations (e.g. business associations, civil society organizations, foundations, labour organizations, academic institutions and cities) are encouraged to join.