The Netherlands and UNDP

UNDP and the Netherlands are developing partnerships with business in UNDP's focus areas, including supporting countries in their engagement of the business sector in dialogues on national development and policy issues, and engaging business directly in project activities. The Secretary General's Global Compact, which asks businesses to embrace and act upon nine universal principles in the areas of human rights, labor rights and environment, provides a value-based platform for UNDP's engagement with business at the country level: UNDP and the Netherlands are currently piloting country practical initiatives that bring government, civil society and business together to discuss how business can contribute to local development priorities. Below are examples of projects and initiatives implemented with Unilever, Shell, ABN AMRO and TNT, all of which are members of the Global Compact.

Unilever

UNDP's innovative Growing Sustainable Business Initiative pairs business enterprises with NGOs and local governments to generate both development and commercial returns. In Tanzania for instance, the initiative has brought together the Dutch company Unilever, the World Conservation Union, the Netherlands Development Organization and the World Agroforestry Centre.These partners are working with local communities and businesses to cultivate Allanblackia trees, which yield seeds used in soap and margarine, along with a source of local revenues and jobs. Read more...

Shell

Shell and UNDP have long worked together on community projects. In China, UNDP and Shell carried out a "social impact assessment" ahead of the construction of a pipeline across the country. In Azerbaijan, Shell contributed to the organization of training courses on first aid and psychological rehabilitation during disasters among women's associations. Other joint initiatives include a $600,000 funding partnership agreement for the “UNDP-Shell Forest Conservation Project” in the Ayubia National Park, which is in the North of Pakistan. The aim of the project is to prevent deforestation in the Park, and provide an alternate fuel Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) so as to reduce the population's reliance on forest wood. Read more...

ABN AMRO

On May 10, 2006, Dutch bank ABN Amro became one of the ten winners of the World Business Awards, which showcase the best practices of the business sector in alleviating poverty and boosting development to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The World Business Awards are organized by the International Chamber of Commerce in association with UNDP and The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF). ABN AMRO and Brazil's Banco Real, which merged in 1998, have initiated a project to use recycled paper in all aspects of their business. Read more...

TNT

UNDP and TNT have taken part in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives for several years. In Bulgaria for instance, the partners took part in a scheme that is designed to help disadvantaged 18 to 22 year-olds to enter the labour market through training programmes. As a result, in September 2005 TNT Bulgaria became the first company in Bulgaria to be awarded with the Global Compact's Social Accountability Certificate. Read more...