NRS International celebrates first year of the UN Global Compact UAE Local Network
NRS International today celebrated the first anniversary of the UN Global Compact UAE Local Network at a high profile event at The Address Hotel Dubai Mall. The UN Global Compact (UNGC) is an initiative that encourages businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, and since the inception of its Local Network, NRS International has played a central role as a member of its steering group committee.
The event was attended by UN Resident Coordinator Frode Mauring, the UNGC Head of Local Networks Walid Nagi, and a diverse group of 200 stakeholders including large companies, SMEs, government entities, academics, and sustainability and compliance professionals. The keynote speakers emphasises the key role that Local Networks can help in spreading adoption of its UN principle-based framework for businesses, which states ten principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption.
The main goals of this one-day event were to highlight the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relevance to all stakeholders; to share practical solutions to integrating the SDGs and UNGC 10 principles into corporate practice; to encourage participation in the UNGC; and to share UAE Local Network Achievements.
The event comprised four key sessions, and NRS International participated in two of these. Corporate Social Responsibility Manager of NRS International, Nicole Malick, moderated the first session which introduced the audience to the Women Empowerment Principles, showcasing them as an effective tool in advancing SDG #5 ‘gender equality’. Rune Bosselmann, Director of TANA Netting, spoke on the CEO panel, exploring why leaders are joining the UNGC and how they see the SDGs playing a role in the future.
This event is a prelude to preparations for the UN Global Compact Networks Worldwide Conference, which will be held in Dubai on 23 – 25 October 2016 in the presence of the UNGC networks of more than 100 countries.