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MONTHLY BULLETIN | OCTOBER 2026
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Dakar Forum Calls on African Businesses to Move from Human Rights Commitments to Action
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African businesses are being urged to strengthen human rights protections and corporate accountability as the continent accelerates its transition to a greener economy. The call came as more than 1,100 delegates from 45 African countries gathered in Dakar for the fifth Africa Business and Human Rights Forum, co-organized by the UN Global Compact and partners. Discussions focused on turning commitments into practical action, protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring that economic growth and the green transition deliver benefits for all. The message from Dakar was clear: Africa's sustainable development must put human rights at its heart.
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Powering Progress: Why the Energy Transition Is Now a Business Priority
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The global energy transition is no longer just a climate imperative. It is a business priority, central to competitiveness, energy security and long-term growth. In a new article, UN Global Compact CEO and Executive Director Sanda Ojiambo reflects on discussions with nearly 200 business leaders, policymakers and UN representatives at the UN Private Sector Forum, outlining five priorities to accelerate clean energy investment and deployment. From unlocking finance in emerging markets to removing policy barriers and ensuring a just transition, she makes the case for businesses to turn ambition into action. With COP31 approaching, the message is clear: the companies that invest and act now will be better positioned to compete and thrive in the energy economy of the future.
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14th Annual High-Level Meeting of Caring for Climate
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Convened by the United Nations Global Compact, the United Nations Environment Programme and UN Climate Change, the 14th Annual High-Level Meeting of Caring for Climate will bring together senior leaders from business, government, finance, civil society and the United Nations to advance credible climate implementation.
Apply to attend»
For a full list of our COP31 events visit here
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UN Global Compact at the 15th Annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights
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The 15th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights will take place from 23–25 November 2026, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. This year’s theme is “UNGPs at 15: Building on Gains, Confronting Gaps, Reimagining the Future”. The annual Forum brings together over 4,000 leaders and changemakers from governments, business, civil society, the UN and beyond to shape the global agenda on business and human rights and set the direction for the years ahead. As the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, the UN Global Compact will be there, mobilising businesses to have a strong voice in that conversation.
Register here »
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Trending leading-edge Academy offerings
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1. NEW! Integrity by Design: Setting up an Anti-Corruption Ethics and Compliance Programme
This 60-minute course, developed in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, allows learners to explore how to build an anti-corruption programme aligned with their organization's strategy, strengthen their ethics and compliance, and apply practical approaches to preventing corruption.
Enroll here »
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2. How to Finance Your Sustainability Strategy
This module explores the challenge of financing for small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) aiming to transition to a more sustainable economy. It covers the landscape of available sustainability funding and provides steps SMEs can take to leverage sustainability to finance their business.
Enroll here »
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3. How procurement decisions can advance decent work in supply chains
This course focuses on best practices for sustainable procurement, providing guidance on engaging with suppliers to improve decent work in the global supply chain. It introduces the UN Global Compact Decent Work Engagement Toolkit for Sustainable Procurement, designed to help procurement teams integrate decent work considerations, set KPIs, and engage meaningfully with suppliers.
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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TAKE ACTION WITH KEY STUDIES AND PROGRAMMES FROM THE UN GLOBAL COMPACT AND GLOBAL COUNTRY NETWORKS
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How Is Your Company Using AI to Strengthen Business Integrity? Share Your Experience
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Artificial intelligence is transforming how companies manage compliance, tackle corruption and strengthen business integrity. But what is working in practice and what challenges remain? The UN Global Compact and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are inviting businesses to share their experiences through a new survey as part of the Think Lab on AI for Business Integrity. From successful initiatives to early pilots and lessons learned, your insights will help shape practical guidance for companies on using AI responsibly and effectively in compliance, ethics and integrity functions. Responses will remain confidential. Have your say by 6 November 2026.
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Applications Open for the 2027 Business & Human Rights Accelerator
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Ready to turn your company's human rights commitments into action? Applications are now open for our 2027 Business & Human Rights Accelerator, a three-month programme that helps companies identify, prioritize and address human rights and labour rights risks across their operations and value chains. Through expert-led workshops, peer learning and practical tools, participants will develop a tailored Action Plan to strengthen human rights due diligence and drive meaningful change within their businesses. The programme begins in February 2027, with applications closing on 30 November 2026.
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Join the UN Global Compact at the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva
Fifteen years after the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights were established, how can businesses accelerate progress and close persistent gaps? From 23–25 November 2026, the UN Global Compact will join business leaders, policymakers and civil society at the 15th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva. Under the theme UNGPs at 15: Building on Gains, Confronting Gaps, Reimagining the Future, the Forum will explore how companies can strengthen accountability, advance human rights due diligence and turn commitments into meaningful action. Join us to exchange ideas, learn from business leaders and help shape the next chapter of responsible business.
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UN GLOBAL COMPACT JOURNAL ARTICLES TO CHECK OUT
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In September UN Global Compact welcomed 241 new companies.
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Largest companies (by employee number) to join:
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- "China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited” "中国建筑股份有限公司", China
- BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., China
- NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., Japan
- China Hongqiao Group Limited, China
- Reykjavik Geothermal, Iceland
- SICURITALIA GROUP HOLDING S.P.A. IN BREVE ANCHE SGH - S.P.A., 0Italy
- Aktieselskabet Schouw & Co., Denmark
- Emirates Flight CateringUnited, Arab Emirates
- ADNOC Drilling Company PJSC, United Arab Emirates
- Marubeni-Itochu Steel Inc., Japan
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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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Follow us on social media
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#TenPrinciples #UnitingBusiness
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