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MONTHLY BULLETIN | MARCH 2026
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Breaking the Illusion: Why the Glass Ceiling Is Still Holding Women Back in Business
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On International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026, Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, reflected on how progress for women in business is masking deeper, structural inequalities that continue to limit access to real power. In an article for Reuters, Ojiambo argued that while representation on corporate boards has improved, the pathway to executive leadership remains constrained. Women are still significantly underrepresented in CEO roles and in the profit-and-loss positions that typically lead to them, with early career barriers continuing to shrink the leadership pipeline.
Her message for International Women’s Day was clear: businesses must move beyond symbolic progress and take deliberate, systemic action to build inclusive leadership pipelines—ensuring women are not just present, but positioned to lead.
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Embedding Integrity at the Heart of Business
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In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, technological change and rising stakeholder expectations, integrity has never been more critical. This updated practical guide from the UN Global Compact and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime offers companies a clear, actionable roadmap to strengthen anti-corruption ethics and compliance at every level of the organization.
Grounded in the concept of transformational governance, the guide moves beyond compliance to position integrity as a driver of long-term value, trust and resilience. Whether you are looking to enhance existing programmes or build new ones, it provides practical tools, real-world insights and step-by-step guidance to help turn commitment into action.
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Trending leading-edge Academy offerings
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1. Resetting the Narrative: Global Trends and the Power of WEPs
Explore where the private sector truly stands on gender equality at a pivotal moment for business. Drawing on insights from the UN Global Compact Communication on Progress data, findings from the Africa Business Leaders Coalition’s Gender Statement survey, reflections from Target Gender Equality participants, and analysis from UN Women’s latest report, this session examines what is driving measurable progress, where commitments are translating into results, and where gaps persist.
Enroll here »
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2. Mind the Gap: Advancing Equal Pay for Equal Value Through Collective Business Action
Discover why the gender pay gap remains a persistent barrier to advancing gender equality—despite decades of corporate commitments—and what it will take to close it. This forward-looking, multistakeholder conversation brings together leaders from business, government, international organizations, and civil society to examine what is holding progress back, what is driving measurable advancement, and how companies can work collectively to achieve equal pay for work of equal value.
Enroll here »
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3. Rewriting the Code: Collective Action to Center Women in the Digital Workplace Transformation
Uncover how accelerating digital transformation and AI adoption will shape the future of gender equality—and why collective private sector action is essential to ensure progress rather than regression. Participants will gain concrete strategies to intentionally center women in digital transformation efforts and embed gender equality into technology development, workforce strategy, and AI governance—individually and collectively.
Enroll here »
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Have questions about the Academy and how you can implement it across your company? View our new user guide here.
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Learn, Share, Lead: Join a UN Global Compact Peer Learning Group
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Peer Learning Groups offer a unique opportunity for companies to come together in a trusted, confidential setting to exchange best practices, tackle shared challenges and accelerate progress on critical sustainability issues. Designed for practitioners, these groups provide direct access to industry experts, curated insights and a global network of like-minded professionals.
In collaboration with Global Compact Country Networks, the 2026 Peer Learning Groups will focus on seven priority areas: Just Transition, Gender Equality, Living Wage, Water Resilience, Sustainable Finance, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Human Rights—supporting companies to take more ambitious, practical action where it matters most.
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Accelerating Gender Equality: Turn Commitment into Action
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The Target Gender Equality Accelerator is a high-impact, six-month programme designed to help companies move from ambition to measurable progress on gender equality. Delivered by the United Nations Global Compact in collaboration with UN Women, the programme supports businesses in translating their commitments into concrete actions—aligned with global best practices and frameworks such
as the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs).
Through a combination of expert guidance, interactive e-learning and opportunities for regional and global engagement, participants gain the tools and insights needed to drive meaningful change across their organizations.
Programme details:
Registration open: 12 March –
31 May 2026
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Climate Ambition Accelerator 2026: From Targets to Transformation
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Ready to align your climate strategy with science? Applications are now open for the Climate Ambition Accelerator—an intensive six-month programme designed to help companies set credible, science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with the 1.5°C pathway and accelerate progress toward net-zero by 2050.
Delivered through Global Compact Country Networks, the Accelerator offers access to global expertise, peer learning and practical tools—supporting companies to move from commitment to real-world implementation.
Programme details:
Applications open: 19 February 2026 30 – April 2026
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UN GLOBAL COMPACT JOURNAL
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In March UN Global Compact welcomed 260 new companies.
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Largest companies (by employee number) to join:
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- Inument Solutions Ltd, Singapore
- AUMOVIO SE, Germany
- Ipca Laboratories Limited, India
- VIRU FROZEN S.A., Peru
- Royal FrieslandCampina N.V., Netherlands
- Oshkosh Corporation, United States of America
- Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Germany
- VIRU AVOCADO S.A., Peru
- Telkom SA Soc Ltd, Korea, Republic of
- NCS Pte. Ltd., Singapore
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ABOUT THE UN GLOBAL COMPACT
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As a special initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General, the UN Global Compact is a call to companies worldwide to align their operations and strategies with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Our vision is clear: to mobilize business to transform sustainability ambition into action at the scale the world demands. With more than 25,000 participants and a presence in over 100 countries through 5 Regional Hubs and more than 70+ Country Networks and expansion territories, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.
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COUNTRY NETWORKS AND EXPANSION TERRITORIES
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