NEWS
HUMAN RIGHTS AND BUSINESS
Annan on Sullivan Global Corporate Principles November 2 U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said putting the "Global Sullivan Principles" into practice can help implement his own proposed Global Compact between the United Nations and business, which calls for business to "do more to protect human rights, the environment, and labor standards."

"The Global Sullivan Principles can help us implement the Compact and give global markets more of a human face," Annan added in prepared remarks at the official launching of the "Global Sullivan Principles" November 2 at U.N. headquarters in New York.

The principles stress "the social responsibilities of corporations," the secretary-general said.  "The United Nations needs the world's businesspeople to help it achieve its aims and, equally, world business needs a strong United Nations."

Following is the abridged text of Annan's remarks: November 2, 1999

GOOD CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP, BUSINESS REPUTATIONS, INTIMATELY TIED, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS CORPORATION LEADERS

Reverend Leon Sullivan is known throughout the world for his bold and principled efforts to dismantle the system of apartheid in South Africa.  It is no exaggeration to say that Reverend Sullivan, and all who joined him in that campaign, helped to shape the conscience of the international community. Today, he is showing yet again how much a committed individual can do to change lives and societies for the better. The Global Sullivan Principles stress the social responsibilities of corporations.  It was once fashionable to say that corporations are responsible only to their shareholders, and that the business of business is business.  Today, enlightened business leaders recognize that their reputations, and even their bottom lines, are intimately tied to good corporate citizenship.  They know that consumers care about the environment, and do not like the exploitation of child labour.  More and more, what makes sense to ordinary, decent people makes good business sense as well.

The question today is not whether corporations have social responsibilities; clearly they do.  No, the crucial question now is how to create an environment in which business does what it does best - create jobs and wealth -- while ensuring that people's basic needs are met.

A Global Compact between the United Nations and business calls for business to do more to protect human rights, the environment and labour standards.  The Global Sullivan Principles can help us implement the Compact and give global markets more of a human face. As we enter a new millennium, the United Nations needs the world's businesspeople to help it achieve its aims and, equally, world business needs a strong United Nations.  Together, we can bring to life the values of the United Nations Charter.  Putting the Global Sullivan Principles into practice will be a big step in that direction.

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State)

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