7 May 2013: The UN Global Compact Board convened from 6-7 May 2013, in New York, US, during which members: provided guidance on the future direction of the Compact; discussed the private sector contribution to the post-2015 development process, ahead of the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit to be held 19-20 September 2013 in New York; and focused on key priorities, including the ongoing Global Compact strategic review.

The Board is composed of high-level representatives from business, civil society, labor and the UN, and chaired by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Ban welcomed progress made in critical areas, such as empowering Local Networks, expanding issue platforms and deepening engagement between the Global Compact and the UN. He encouraged Board members to do more to advance corporate sustainability, and said “too many businesses are still willing to sacrifice workers’ rights and safety for the bottom line,” referring to the recent deaths of garment factory workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The latest biannual Board meeting marked a governance change following the establishment of the Global Compact Local Network Advisory Group in April, which aims to serve as a conduit for all country networks to raise ideas and provide guidance to the Global Compact Office in order to maximize the initiative’s global-local reach, knowledge and expertise. The Board meeting included a joint session with the Global Compact Government Group for the first time, with government representatives: providing insights related to the design and themes of the 2013 Leaders Summit; and helping to inform the Global Compact’s long-term fundraising strategy. In addition, Board members participated in a high-level luncheon, co-hosted by the UN Permanent Representatives of Indonesia, Kenya and Norway, where participants discussed the contribution that business and the UN Global Compact can make to shape and advance the post-2015 development agenda. [UN Global Compact Press Release] [UN Press Release] [UN Secretary-General’s Remarks]