18-Jan-2015
Jordan Global Compact Network launched
AMMAN------- January 18, 2015-------- Under the patronage of HE Dr.
Talal Abu- Ghazaleh, former Vice Chair of the Global Compact, the Jordan Global Compact Network was launched in
a special ceremony attended by representatives of the public and private
sectors, ambassadors as well as representatives of diplomatic missions and
international organizations.
In his keynote speech, HE Dr.
Abu-Ghazaleh congratulated the launching of the Jordan Global Compact Network
and recalled the establishment phases of the Compact in 2007 saying:“The Global
Compact was the product of joint efforts where I participated as a founder to
develop the corporate social responsibility at the United Nations. I had the
honor to serve as the Vice Chair of the Global Compact during the tenure of
both Mr. Kofi Anan and Mr. Ban Ki-moon”.
He indicated that the Global Compact is
the only institution led by the Secretary General in his capacity as a Chairman
rather than as a Secretary General. He also made clear that the significance of
the Compact lies in its ten basic principles that constitute a contract and an
agreement between the member companies of the Global Compact and the United
Nations. The only requirement for corporations and institutions is to comply
with the Compact’s objectives and principles, and to annually report on its
achievements towards fulfilling those principles, which aim at creating a
better community.
He added “In addition to the Jordan
Network, we launched the Network in Egypt and Syria. Work is now underway to
launch similar networks in Lebanon and the GCC states”.
HE Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh commended the
decision of HE Dr. Abdullah Nsour, the Jordanian Prime Minister, in
establishing an advisory committee on corporate social responsibility. At the
same time, he expressed appreciation of the role and initiatives of HE Mrs.
Reem Abu Hassan, the Minister of Social Development, for recommending the
formation of the committee that includes in its membership, besides Talal
Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAG-Org), public and private entities.
He stated that Talal Abu-Ghazaleh
International Institute for Social Responsibility (TAGIISR) provides support to
businesses as well as public and private entities in applying social
responsibility, promoting awareness and serving as consulting experts for
businesses as well as public and private entities.
Mr. Mustafa Nasereddin, Chairman of
Jordan Global Compact Network, delivered a speech welcoming all attendees and
expressed appreciation for the support and sponsorship of HE Dr. Talal
Abu-Ghazaleh. He also indicated the establishment phases of the Network which
led to its launching. He said “what have been achieved today is just the
beginning”, calling upon businesses, institutions and civil society
organizations to join the Jordan Network and eventually the Global Compact,
which will allow prospects of progression and shifting towards globalization. The only requirement from such businesses is
to annually report on their achievements towards fulfilling the Global Compact
principles.
Mr. Walid Naji, Head of the Local
Networks Unit at the Global Compact, pointed out the existence of more than 80
local networks worldwide affiliated to the Compact. The role of those networks
is to spread awareness, introduce the Global Compact’s ten principles and
customize them to each country’s local environment, economic situation and
social conditions.
HE Mr. Paul Bandeen Eichel, the Dutch
Ambassador, delivered a statement where he tackled the role of Dutch government
in supporting social responsibility initiatives, including a workshop organized
in 2013 with the participation of TAG-Org and Amman Chamber of Commerce.
HE Mr. Issa Murad, Head of Jordan
Chamber of Commerce, appreciated the role of HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh in
supporting and sponsoring many initiatives of corporate social responsibility.
He also indicated the Chamber’s willingness to provide all necessary logistics,
including hosting Jordan Network headquarters at the Chamber’s premises, and
contribute to spreading the Network’s mission and objectives among the Chamber
members in order to urge them to join the Network and comply with its
objectives and principles.
During the ceremony, a number of
working papers were presented:
- · * Initiatives and Sustainability of
Corporate Social Responsibility in Jordan; by Eng. Ra’of Al Dabbas, Senior
Advisor at the Ministry of Social Development.
- · * Mrs. Alexandra Tarazi, In charge of the
Relationships between the Global Compact and Local Networks in the MENA Region,
introduced the mission and objectives of the Global Compact, the methods of
participation therein and the requirements of annual reporting for member
companies.
- · * UN Global Compact success stories
from Aramex presented by Mr. Rami Hattar, and from Nuqul Group presented by Mr.
Tariq Abu- Ghazaleh.
A memorandum of understanding was also
signed during the ceremony between Jordan
Global Compact Network , represented by its Chairman Mr. Mustafa Nasereddin, and
the Local Networks Unit at the Global Compact, represented by the Head of the
Unit Mr. Walid Naji.