UN Global Compact launches local network in Morocco

The United Nations Global Compact has officially launched its local network in Morocco. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the UN Global Compact, the General Confederation of Moroccan Companies (CGEM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Morocco. Each party was represented respectively by Mr. Ole Lund Hansen, Chief, Local Networks, Ms. Miriem Bensaleh-Chaqroun, President of CGEM, Mr. Philippe Poinsot, Resident Coordinator of the UN System and Resident Representative of UNDP in Morocco.
The launch follows several milestones of development for Global Compact Network Morocco. March 2017 saw the signing of both the project document for establishment as an emerging network, and the financing agreement under which seven leading companies committed to fund the implementation of the Moroccan network for two years.
Reflecting on the goal of this partnership, Ms. Bensaleh-Chaqroun noted it was “to launch a virtuous dynamic to promote, within our companies, in their daily activity, the commitment towards human rights, labour standards, environmental protection and fighting against corruption.”
Mr. Poinsot added that “the Global Compact Network Morocco will not only enable member companies to benefit from valuable experience exchange and knowledge available on its different platforms, but it will also allow shedding the light on the many positive contributions of Moroccan private sector towards the achievement the Global Goals of the 2030 Agenda.” Attending companies were encouraged to be part of this positive change movement.
Describing the unique and holistic approach of the UN Global Compact as “very business driven,” Mr. Hansen explained that the initiative “has one foot deeply rooted in the UN, and the other one in the private sector, allowing it to speak both to responsibility and to opportunities for the private sector.”
www.unglobalcompact.org