Corporations & the United Nations

Over the past few years the United Nations has increasingly drawn criticism for its policies and efforts to cultivate transnational corporations as partners in development, international security, and humanitarian goals.  Kofi Anan's Global Compact has especially drawn fire for its potential to allow corporations with questionable records to wrap themselves in the legitimacy of the blue flag of the UN without being accountable for claims to respecting human rights, sustainability, and the rights of workers.

Civil society views

International Forum on Globalization

  One world, one governance system: UN yes, Bretton Woods no!  Article by David Korten

Alliance for a Corporate-Free UN - CorpWatch

Rio+10 and the corporate greenwash of globalization - Corporate Europe Observatory

United Nations views

United Nations and business - Official UN site on partnering with business.

Statement by UNICEF director Carol Bellamy

Business & industry views

Business Action for Sustainable Development - The industry coalition set up to address the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

World Business Council for Sustainable Development - Their plans for the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

World business message for the UN Millennium Assembly on the role of the UN in the 21st century - International Chamber of Commerce