The Founding Assembly of the UN Global Compact Network of Croatia held
The Founding Assembly of the Global Compact Network of Croatia was held in the Croatian Employers’ Association. The founders of the Global Compact Network of Croatia association are: Croatian Employers’ Association, Fortenova grupa, AD Plastik d.d., Mazars Cinotti Audit d.o.o., Agrivi d.o.o., Ernst & Young d.o.o., Telemach Hrvatska d.o.o., Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development, Spona Code d.o.o., Hrvatski telekom d.d., INA d.d., Cemex Croatia d.d., Dalekovod d.d., RIT Croatia, Hendal d.o.o.
At the meeting, the Charter of the Global Compact Network of Croatia was adopted, and a decision was made on the establishment and submission of an application for registration of the Association. The Management Committee in its current composition was also confirmed: AD Plastik d.d., Marinko Došen, President of the Management Board; Agrivi d.o.o., Matija Žulj, President of the Management Board; Fortenova grupa, Marina Burazer, Director for ESG and Marketing; Croatian Employers’ Association, Irena Weber, Director General; Mazars Cinotti Audit d.o.o., Vali Marszalek, ESG director for the Adria region; Saponia d.d., Marijana Sabljić, manager of the management system and sustainability team of Saponia.
The UN Global Compact’s local networks, which include Croatia, promote corporate sustainability at the national and regional level, helping companies to understand local opportunities, challenges, and expectations. Subsequently, the Management Committee of the UN Global Compact of Croatia was elected and given a mandate for further management and leadership of the network.
Global Compact Network of Croatia has been active since 2007 and today has 75 members from the business and non-business sectors. After 15 years of activity within other organizations, first UNDP, then HR BCSD, and finally 10 years within the Croatian Employers’ Association, the network met the conditions for independence and continuation of independent activity within the global network of the UN Global Compact. After completing the registration, the Management Committee of the Global Compact Network of Croatia will announce a competition for an executive director so that the association can start all activities from the beginning of 2024.
The UN Global Compact is the world’s largest initiative for sustainable development and corporate sustainability, with nearly 24,000 members in 167 countries and 62 local networks worldwide. As a special initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the UN Global Compact was given the mandate to guide and support the business community around the world in the progress and fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda. Member companies and signatories of this Global Agreement are obliged to operate in compliance with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, which take into account the fundamental responsibilities of business in the field of human rights, labor, the environment, and the fight against corruption, and which are based on internationally accepted UN declarations and conventions, and thus act as a normative authority for responsible business. By incorporating the Ten Principles into strategies, policies, and procedures, and by establishing a culture of integrity, companies not only support their core responsibilities to people and the planet but also ensure long-term business success. Companies that respect the Principles of the UN Global Compact have a better position in the international business environment and the possibility of recognizing potential comparative advantages and developing their competitiveness.
