United Nations Global Compact - The Ten Principles

The Ten Principles

The Global Compact was initially launched with nine Principles. June 24, 2004, during the first Global Compact Leaders Summit, Kofi Annan announced the addition of a tenth principle against corruption in accordance with the United Nations Convention against Corruption adopted in 2003. This step followed an extensive consultation process with all Global Compact participants.

Human Rights
Businesses should:

• Principle 1: Support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
• Principle 2: Make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labour Standards
Businesses should uphold:

• Principle 3: the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
• Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
• Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
• Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation.

Environment
Businesses should:

• Principle 7: support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
• Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote environmental responsibility; and
• Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-Corruption

• Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.