ORLEN Rejoins the UN Global Compact
After several years away, ORLEN has rejoined the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest initiative uniting businesses committed to sustainable development under the auspices of the United Nations.
Becoming part of the UN Global Compact sends a clear message to investors and partners. It enhances public perception and strengthens market credibility, as the pledge to uphold the UN Global Compact’s principles plays an increasingly significant role in ESG assessments by stakeholders.
‘ORLEN first joined the organisation in 2003, just three years after its founding by the United Nations. However, five years ago, the Company withdrew for reasons that remain unclear and difficult to understand. Rejoining was a natural step in strengthening the ORLEN Group’s international standing. Implementing the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, which cover human rights, environmental responsibility, and corporate governance, aligns perfectly with our organisation’s philosophy and reflects our openness to continuous improvement. It also gives us the opportunity to promote these values among our employees by providing access to specialised resources and tools offered by the UN Global Compact Academy,’ said Ireneusz Fąfara, President of the ORLEN Management Board.
What are the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact? They are grouped into four areas: Human Rights, Labour, Environment, and Anti-Corruption:
- Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.
- Businesses should make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
- Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
- Businesses should uphold the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour.
- Businesses should uphold the effective abolition of child labour.
- Businesses should uphold the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
- Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.
- Businesses should undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.
- Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
- Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is the world’s largest initiative engaging businesses in the pursuit of sustainable development. Since its launch in 2000 by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, more than 25,000 members from 170 countries have joined. The UN Global Compact works with governments, public administrations, private sector companies, NGOs, and academic institutions, including over 220 organisations from Poland.
