UN Global Compact is a voluntary initiative for companies wanting to be proactive in adopting the UN Global Compact and begin implementing the Ten Principles ensuing from such adoption. These Principles provide a common framework for incorporating sustainability matters into businesses' strategies and operations.
The Principles are segregated into four categories, as follows:
Human Rights:
1) Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights;
2) Businesses should make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses;
Labor:
3) Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
4) Businesses should uphold the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
5) Businesses should uphold the effective abolition of child labour;
6) Businesses should uphold the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation;
Environment:
7) Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
8) Businesses should undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility;
9) encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies;
Anti-corruption:
10) Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.