Business and the U.N.: a global impact of shared values and principles.(speech of United Nations Sec. Gen. Koffi Annan)(Transcript)

Address by KOFI ANNAN, Secretary General of the United Nations

Delivered to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 31, 1999

I am delighted to join you again at the World Economic Forum. This is my third visit in just over two years as Secretary-General of the United Nations.

On my previous visits, I told you of my hopes for a creative partnership between the United Nations and the private sector. I made the point that the everyday work of the United Nations - whether in peacekeeping, setting technical standards, protecting intellectual property or providing much-needed assistance to developing countries - helps to expand opportunities for business around the world. And I stated quite frankly that, without your know-how and your resources, many of the objectives of the United Nations would remain elusive.

Today, I am pleased to acknowledge that, in the past two years, our relationship has taken great strides. We have shown through cooperative ventures - both at the policy level and on the ground - that the goals of the United Nations and those of business can, indeed, be mutually supportive.

This year, I want to challenge you to join me in taking our relationship to a still higher level. I propose that you, the business leaders gathered in Davos, and we, the United Nations, initiate a global compact of shared values and principles, which will give a human face to the global …