Abu-Ghazaleh, a Keynote Speaker at 2023 International Economic Summit on Social Responsibility
AMMAN – HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, founder and chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global (TAG.Global), has participated (digitally) in the ‘2023 International Economic Summit on Social Responsibility in the Business Sector’ that was held in Bahrain. Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh’s participation came in his capacity as the honorary patron of the Summit, and the honorary member of the International Union for Social Responsibility.
The Summit was attended by a host of business leaders, representatives from chambers of commerce, public and non-government economic institutions, and experts from the Middle East and North Africa region.
In his opening statement, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh reviewed the history of the UN Corporate Social Responsibility Charter, which was launched twenty years ago, when the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Kofi Annan asked him to draft a charter for social responsibility, through the UN Global Compact initiative, which Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh co-chaired with Mr. Annan and then with the succeeding UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon.
He emphasized that the Compact established a ten-principle Charter that cover all social aspects, including (corporate responsibility towards society, businesses responsibility towards women, businesses responsibility towards children, and businesses responsibility towards fighting corruption). Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh indicated that, “Such principles are simple and must be taught to become a community culture because they span all life aspects”.
On the principle of corporate responsibility, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh said, “I believe this principle is a message, a responsibility, and a duty, not a donation, but a community payback,” adding, “Society is the main contributor to our industry as businessmen, Our high standing in the business world is attributed to the society, thus, everything we offer is a duty.”
Concerning the Compact’s principle ragarding women, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh pointed out that he disagreed with those who call for women's empowerment since they do not need to be empowered. He stressed that women should be dealt with on the basis of equality; not to be given special roles, or to be granted rights which they already own.
In addition, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh referred to the tenth principle of the Global Compact which states that ‘Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery’, indicating that while chairing a session at the United Nations on the Compact, he stressed the importance of applying principle of honesty in business and international relations, noting that anti-bribery policies and procedures should be applied to the party that offered and the other that accepted a bribe .
Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh also referred to TAG.Global’s vision and mission, since its establishment 50 years ago till now, affirming that it chose to develop all programs related to capacity building and education.