(New York) – The U.S. Network of the UN Global Compact today issued the report of its first working conference of 2009 – Integrating CSR Into Public Policy Initiatives.

The conference, which took place on 13 May in Washington D.C., drew nearly 80 senior representatives and experts from the private sector, public sector, civil society, and academia. Conference sessions focused on such areas as Engaging Policymakers; Multi-Stakeholder Engagement; and Public-Private Partnerships. In addition, the event featured breakout sessions on Climate-Water; Sustainability and Finance; and Responsible Transitions.

“One of the most important and rapidly evolving trends is the convergence between corporate sustainability issues and public policy objectives – at the local, national, and international levels”, said Gavin Power, Deputy Director of the UN Global Compact. “On a host of critical environmental and social issues, the private sector finds itself in a position to engage in public policy spheres that positively advance both commercial and societal objectives. But such interactions need to be carried out with a high degree of transparency and accountability. That is one of the main messages coming out of this conference”.

The conference included some of the largest corporations headquartered in the United States. U.S. corporate engagement in the UN Global Compact has grown rapidly during the past two years. The U.S. Network is now the fifth-largest of the UN Global Compact’s approximately 80 country networks. Operationally, the U.S. Network convenes two theme-based working conferences per year. Previous conferences have focused on topics such as Climate Change; Responsible Procurement; and Business and Human Rights.

The second working conference of 2009 will take place in the latter half of 2009.

* Conference Report (pdf)

Contact
Gavin Power
Deputy Director
UN Global Compact
gro.nunull@grewop

Cecily Joseph
Director, Corporate Responsibility
Symantec Corporation
& U.S. Network Focal Point
moc.cetnamysnull@hpesoj_ylicec