Inaugural Meeting of the Global Compact Board to Be Held June 28

Abu-Ghazaleh Calls for Creating Anti-Corruption Culture in the Arab Region

NEW YORK - Under the patronage of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the Inaugural Meeting for Global Compact Board will be held on June 28, 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

The Global Compact Board is a key component of the UN initiative?s governance framework, which was introduced following a comprehensive review that was conducted in 2004-2005.

The Board, launched officially on April 20, 2006, embraces ten business representatives, four representatives of business associations and labor groups, four representatives of civil society organizations as well as two ex-officio members.

Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazleh, Chairman and CEO of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAGorg), has been appointed by Annan as a Board member for his long record of commitment to the Global Compact?s mission and principles.

The twenty- member body endows the Global Compact with a wide range of expertise, as its members are well-known leaders from many countries, industries and sectors.

 In the Meeting, the Board members will tackle various issues mainly evolution, strategic positioning, funding, leadership and development, local networks, tools and resources, as well as governance.
 
In addition, Board members are acting as champions to promote issues such as human rights, environment, anti-corruption, labor and responsible investment. Three of these members have already shared specific plans for promoting and advancing the Global Compact: 

1.  Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh: Focused outreach in the Arab region, emphasizing the importance of creating an anti-corruption culture.
2.  Ms. Mary Robinson: Establish multi-stakeholder human rights working group to deepen relevant activities.
3.  Mr. Oded Grajew: Develop the argument for the unique value of the Global Compact, including the ?worldwide? nature of the initiative and its operation within the domain of the United Nations.

Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact brings business together with UN agencies, labor, civil society and governments to advance universal principles in the areas of human rights, labor standards, the environment and anti-corruption. With more than 2,500 participating companies in over 90 countries, it is the largest voluntary corporate citizenship initiative in the world. More than 50 local networks advance the Global Compact?s principles at the national and regional level.