"Towards Global Partnerships": Development of the Secretary-General’s Report

January 2009 – July 2009

Project context

In recent years, partnerships between business and the United Nations (UN) have been hailed as promising approaches to better meet the challenge of making globalization work for all. The UN and its Agencies, Funds and Programs have continuously scaled-up their partnership engagement as a consequence. Today, partnerships have become an integral part of the UN system and the business community alike. While not all partnerships have managed to realize their full potential, many produce significant results, helping to more effectively implement the Millennium Development Goals. In preparation for this year’s General Assembly Resolution and as a follow-up to Resolution A/62/211 adopted by the General Assembly in December 2007, GPPi is working with the UN Global Compact Office to contribute to the development of the Secretary-General’s Report "Towards Global Partnerships", which will be presented at the 64th session of the General Assembly.  

Project objectives

The report will provide an overview of recent trends in the relationship between the UN and the private sector. In particular, it will analyze the implications of the global economic crisis on the partnership agenda. It will review recent partnership initiatives and will provide several concrete case examples of different types of partnerships. While last reports focused on large corporations, this report seeks to incorporate the perspective of small businesses, businesses from developing countries and emerging economies. Moreover, it will trace in detail what steps UN Agencies, Programs and Funds have taken to implement the recommendations proposed in the previous partnership report of the Secretary-General. Special attention will be given to the crucial issue of impact assessment. Based on an analysis of current challenges and lessons learned, the report will identify priority areas for activities related to partnerships and propose steps to further strengthen the UN’s capacity for partnering.