Bern, Press releases, 21.10.2010

“Global Compact” aims to integrate private-sector companies into international efforts in the field of development cooperation. In 2010, Global Compact will celebrate its tenth anniversary. To mark the occasion, experts will take part in a discussion on 26 October organized by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development on the achievements to date and the challenges of the future.

Since the launch of Global Compact, Switzerland has been a key and committed supporter and promoter and has made a significant contribution towards recognition of this global initiative in political, financial and organizational terms.  

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Global Compact, the SDC and the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development are organizing a public event on 26 October to which the media are also invited. Experts in the fields of administration, business, non-governmental organizations and development cooperation will meet at the Paul Klee Centre in Berne to discuss the significance, benefits and future challenges of Global Compact. Attendees will include Georg Kell, Executive Director of Global Compact, theologian Hans Küng, SDC Director General Martin Dahinden and Klaus M. Leisinger, President of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development.  

Global Compact is an initiative of the United Nations. It was launched ten years ago by the then Secretary General Kofi Annan with the aim of integrating the private sector more closely into implementation of the UN development goals. Whereas only 40 companies were members in 2000, Global Compact has since developed into the most important initiative in the field of corporate responsibility and now numbers over 8,000 members.  

The conference on the millennium development goals held in September in New York highlighted the need for greater cooperation in the field of state-run development cooperation with the private sector.  

Over the next few years, Switzerland will continue to contribute financing to the implementation of Global Compact’s strategic 2011-2013 three-year plan.


Further information:

Further details of registration and panel lists (fr)


Address for enquiries:

Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: (+41) 031 322 31 53
Fax: (+41) 031 324 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch


Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Last update 19.07.2023

  • FDFA Communication answers media queries Mondays to Fridays during office hours and operates a weekend emergency on-call service.

Contact

FDFA Communication

Federal Palace West
3003 Bern

Phone (for journalists only):
+41 58 460 55 55

Phone (for all other requests):
+41 58 462 31 53

Start of page