UN Global Compact

Novartis and the UN Global Compact

The United Nations Global Compact was spearheaded by UN secretary general Kofi Annan in January 1999 to help achieve “globalization with a human face” and extend the benefits of globalization to all. It calls on business and other stakeholders to support 10 principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption. The Global Compact has grown to become the world’s largest corporate citizenship initiative with nearly 5 000 corporate participants.

Novartis was among the first signatories to the Global Compact (see our commitment to the Global Compact). On the day of becoming a member, in July 2000, Novartis chairman and CEO Dr Daniel Vasella stated: “Novartis would like to see the Global Compact become a catalyst for concrete actions by enterprises and nations. We are convinced that such a common effort will facilitate the transition to sustainable development.”

This initial commitment at the highest level started an internal conversation on our role and responsibilities as a good corporate citizen. It was also a decisive factor in embedding the values endowed by the Global Compact into our corporate culture, management systems and operations. For more information on how we are implementing the GC, see two case studies: Novartis and the UN Global Compact initiative and Opportunities and risks of the United Nations Global Compact.

Visit the United Nations Global Compact website

Visit the Novartis and the 10 principles section

Discover our Commitment to the Global Compact
(30 KB)

Learn more on Novartis and the UN Global Compact initiative
(28 KB)

 

 

The Global Compact is rooted in our company

Today, the Global Compact is embedded in our operations and we have established management systems to enable us to measure, monitor and report on our progress. We expect our employees to live up to its 10 principles and integrate its core values into their day-to-day work. As an example, corporate citizenship achievements and targets are integrated into the annual performance reviews of senior managers.

Yet, implementation of the Global Compact is an open-ended process. We are striving for continuous improvement, and we want to achieve a feedback-controlled management cycle that not only keeps the implementation alive but also constantly renews it by injecting impetus. Listening to our stakeholders provides such impetus as it informs our vision and values on society's evolving demands.

Two founding documents govern our responsibilities:

Discover how our Corporate Citizenship Policy defines our responsibility as a company
(65 KB)

Discover how our Code of Conduct defines the obligations of associates
(62 KB)

All levels of management are charged with bringing the Global Compact to life:

• Board of directors through the Audit and Compliance Committee
• Executive committee through the Corporate Citizenship Committee (chaired by Thomas Wellauer, Head Corporate Affairs, Member of the Executive Committee of Novartis)
• Business divisions – Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines & Diagnostics, Sandoz (generics) and Consumer Health – through corporate citizenship organizations

 

 

Reporting

Transparent reporting is a central part of our commitment to the Global Compact. In addition to our yearly Communication on Progress, we issue a complete GRI report. Our 2007 GRI report uses the GRI G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines at an application level of A+, checked and confirmed by the GRI.

Download the GRI report
(1.03 MB)

Below you will also find detailed 2008 information on:

Download our Key performance indicators
(39 KB)

Download our results of Corporate Citizenship-related projects in 2008 and targets for 2009
(76 KB)

Learn more on Novartis acces-to-medicine projects 2008
(41 KB)

 

 

Contact

Christine Elleboode-Zwaans
Corporate Citizenship Initiatives
Corporate Communications

Tel: +41 61 324 33 48

christine.elleboode-zwaans@novartis.com

 

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