The United Nations Global Compact
The United Nations strongly encourages all vendors to participate actively in the Global Compact. This initiative fosters responsible corporate citizenship and promotes universal social and environmental principles to address the challenges of globalization, involving both the private sector and other social actors.
The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact
The Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact are derived from: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
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| Human Rights | |
| Principle 1: Businesses should 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 | |
| Principle 3: Businesses should uphold 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 respect of employment and occupation. |
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| Environment | |
| Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges. Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies. |
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| Anti-Corruption | |
| Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery. | |
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The Application Process
There are two different types of applications: Business Application and Non-Business Application.
Business Applicants who are eligible to join the UN Global Compact fall under the following definitions:
- Company: Any legal entity engaging in business, such as a corporation or partnership, with at least 250 full-time direct employees and/or any state-owned companies.
- SME (Small and Medium Enterprise): Same as a Company but with less than 250 employees. Companies are required to have at least one direct employee and active operations.
| Step 1 |
Review the Application Guidelines for a detailed step-by-step guide to the Business Application joining process. |
| Step 2 |
Prepare a Letter of Commitment addressed to the UN Secretary-General and signed by your company's highest-level executive (or equivalent) committing to implement the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, take action in support of the Sustainable Development Goals and submit an annual Communication on Progress (COP). |
| Step 3 |
Complete the Online Application Form and upload a digital copy of the Letter of Commitment signed by the highest-level executive. The name of the highest-level executive who signed the Letter of Commitment must correspond with the entry name in the online registration form. |
Non-Business Applicants who are eligible to join the UN Global Compact fall under the following categories:
- Academic Institutions
- Business Associations
- Cities and Municipalities
- Civil Society Organizations
- Foundations
- Labour Organizations
- Public Sector Organizations
- Corporate Social Responsibility Organizations
| Step 1 |
Review the Application Guidelines for a detailed step-by-step guide to the Non-Business Application joining process. |
| Step 2 |
Prepare a Letter of Commitment addressed to the UN Secretary-General and signed by your company's highest-level executive (or equivalent) committing to implement the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, participation in the activities of the initiative where feasible and submit a biennial submission of a Communication on Engagement (COE). |
| Step 3 |
Complete the Online Application Form and upload a digital copy of the Letter of Commitment signed by the highest-level executive. The name of the highest-level executive who signed the Letter of Commitment must correspond with the entry name in the online registration form. |
Please refer to the United Nations Global Compact website for detailed application instructions by visiting the “” section.