IRRI is committed to the UN Global Compact initiative’s pursuit of a sustainable future.
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the world’s leading agricultural research institution, through Director General Dr. Jean Balié has signed the letter of commitment to join the UN Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative on 13 September 2022 in the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna.
The Global Compact Network Philippines, the local entity of the UNGC is also present in the event, represented by its Vice Chairperson, Ms. Yayu Javier of the Philippine Marketing Association.
The UN Global Compact is a voluntary initiative based on CEO commitments to implement universal sustainability principles and to take steps to support UN goals. By joining the compact, an organization pledges to operate in ways that meet fundamental responsibilities in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
This is the world’s largest global corporate sustainability initiative where a company must voluntarily pledge to take actions in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over 16,000 companies and 4,000 non-business participants globally have embraced the commitments of the UN Global Compact.
“Being part of this initiative represents IRRI’s unwavering commitment to keeping climate change at the forefront of our research agenda. The three-pronged dimension of sustainability, i.e environment, social, and economic, is in the DNA of our work at IRRI and our goals are strategically aligned to propose and support solutions that will help attain the SDGs. Through our commitment to the UNGC, we will continue to ensure that the Ten Principles are integrated into our ways of working at IRRI and consistent with our pledge to establish a culture of integrity, solidarity and accountability not only for our people but for the planet,” said IRRI Director General Dr. Jean Balié.
Participants of the UN Global Compact are required to communicate their progress to their stakeholders on a yearly basis and to send a copy to the UN Global Compact Network. In the Philippines the network includes Meralco, Ayala Corporation, Smart Communications, and Globe Telecom. IRRI joins other CGIAR centers in working together in accelerating strategies for sustainability, especially in conducting agricultural research.
“As the local entity of the UNGC, the Global Compact Network Philippines looks forward to IRRI joining the UN Global Compact. IRRI's expertise in the field of food and nutrition security, inclusive human development, climate change, and partnerships and collaboration will help in upholding the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. And at the same time, we’re hoping for IRRI to join our private sector champion initiative that aims to help MSMEs recover from the consequences of the pandemic through collaboration among participating companies,” said UNGC Network Philippines Executive Director Octavio Peralta.
