The second UN Global Compact Leaders Summit gathered more than 1000 participants from business, government and civil society in Geneva, Switzerland, from 5-6 July 2007.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who chairs the UN Global Compact Board, opened the meeting by remarking that the Global Compact has lived up to its promise to bring business together with other stakeholders, as well as to infuse markets and economies with universal values. The Leaders Summit, which is the largest event convened by the UN on the issue of corporate citizenship, launched a number of new initiatives and projects, including: a Business Leadership Platform on climate change; a set of Principles for Responsible Management Education; and a CEO Water Mandate. In their statement on climate change, business leaders urged governments to take “urgent and extensive action” to avoid the risk of serious damage to global prosperity. The statement commits more than 150 business leaders to take on voluntary targets to increase energy efficiency and reduce their carbon burden, and urges governments to provide a “robust global policy framework” for combating climate change.
In addition, three landmark studies from the UN Global Compact, McKinsey and Goldman Sachs that were released argue that integrating corporate responsibility and related environmental, social and governance policies into management practices delivers long-term business value. Participants also adopted the ‘Geneva Declaration,’ pledging to comply with labor, human rights, environmental and anti-corruption standards.
Links to further information
UN Global Compact Press release, 5 July 2007
UN Global Compact Press release, 6 July 2007
UN News release, 6 July 2007
The Geneva Declaration
Caring for Climate: The Business Leadership Platform (Summit statement on climate)