Mexico set to officially pledge commitment to Annan's Global Compact initiative

Mexican President Vicente Fox is expected today to officially launch United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Global Compact initiative, which seeks to advance good corporate citizenship and responsible globalization.

According to the UN Development Programme (UNDP), President Fox will launch the initiative at a conference in Mexico City that will be attended by nearly 400 business and civic leaders. The Global Compact will now be established around the world with more than 50 country networks.

The Global Compact is a United Nations inter-agency initiative championed by Mr. Annan and designed to challenge businesses around the world to take greater responsibility in society and to act upon a set of universally recognized principles in the areas of human rights, labour rights and the environment.

Since its initial launch in July 1999, the Compact has attracted the participation of hundreds of companies, labour groups, academic institutions, and civil society organizations.