Cooperation between the United Nations and Business

Joint statement on common interests by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the International Chamber of Commerce
9 February 1998

On 9 February 1998, the Secretary-General of the United Nations met with representatives of the international Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to further the dialogue between the United Nations and the private sector. Representatives of more than 25 businesses from all regions of the world took part, along with Secretariat officials and, as observers, representatives of several United Nations Member States in their capacities as heads or members of intergovernmental bodies.

At the end of the meeting, the Secretary-General and ICC issued the following joint statement:

1. Broad political and economic changes have opened up new opportunities for dialogue and cooperation between the United Nations and the private sector. Such a partnership could give new impetus to the pursuit of a more prosperous and peaceful world.
   
2. There is great potential for the goals of the United Nations - promoting peace and development - and the goals of business - creating wealth and prosperity - to be mutually supportive. Development and peace are essential for trade and investment to occur and for business to grow. At the same time, thriving markets are a precondition for creating jobs, improving standards of living, spreading more widely the benefits of globalization and integrating developing countries into the world economy.
   
3. Achieving these goals depends greatly on the effective functioning of the global marketplace and on the existence of open, equitable, inclusive economic systems based on the free flow of trade, investment for economic growth and development and the avoidance of protectionist measures.
   
4. Growing economic interdependence among nations underscores the importance of supportive institutional frameworks. Business has a strong interest in multilateral cooperation, including standard-setting through the United Nations and other intergovernmental institutions and international conventions on the environment and other global and transborder issues.
   
5. The United Nations and the business community should work jointly to expand economic opportunities, especially in countries which may face marginalization. Ultimately, the promotion of development can succeed only if it leads to a situation in which investment sustains broadly based growth. In this regard, special attention must be given to the needs of African and the least developed countries.
   
6. Cooperation at the country level is largely about preparing the ground for business to invest on a scale and in a manner conducive to sustainable growth and development. Efforts by the international community to promote appropriate policies and good governance, to strengthen institutions and infrastructures, to eradicate poverty and to develop human resources are critical to the creation of a business-friendly environment. Taking into account the experience of business and drawing on its skills and resources can significantly enhance these efforts. Business is well aware that it must be a responsible partner in the social order in which it operates.
   
7. Further dialogue between the United Nations and the private sector should focus on articulating common interests, intensifying the search for partnerships and translating the potential of cooperation into concrete action. In particular, the business community should strengthen its dialogue with the relevant intergovernmental institutions and bodies, particularly the United Nations, including its organs such as the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council.

United Nations Headquarters
New York