First Responsible Business Directory Ukraine Launched in Kyiv

Kyiv, 19 September, 2007 The launch of the first edition of Responsible Business Directory Ukraine was conducted today in Kyiv at the conference hall of the Hyatt Hotel within the frameforke of the Global Compact Initiative in Ukraine, and in partnership with the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, European Business Association, American Chamber of Commerce and with the support of Ukraine Citizen Action Network (UCAN). During the launch the first bilingual publication in Ukraine featuring socially responsible companies that work in the local market and implement corporate social responsibility  practices in the country was presented. 

"The Directory is a unique publication since for the first time it presents Ukrainian companies from a different perspective - the perspective of their behavior as corporate citizens", stated UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine  Francis O'DONNELL, in his welcoming address to the attendees of the launch. "The responsibility of the companies finds its way in two dimensions: striving to respond to the needs of the society by engaging in community development and environmental protection, and trying to be responsible towards their employees and to practice business ethics principles at workplace", he added. 

This event was also attended by the Government representatives, Ms. Oksana SLYUSARENKO, Deputy Minister of Economy and Ms. Natalya IVANOVA, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy who complimented private sector's engagement, realized in corporate social responsibility, on the way to social and economic well-being of the country. 

The publication aims to contribute to the promotion of a new image of national businesses that meet social, environmetal and governance objectives. The event attracted more than 120 participants including representatives of the country's leading companies, featured in the Directory, foreign diplomatic corps and media. 

Ms. Barbara FELITTI, UCAN Country Director stressed the Directory's importance for the overall development of business sector in Ukraine. "UCAN has been a proud partner in the preparation of this valuable publication", noted Ms. FELITTI. 

"Ukrainian business is a part of European business, especially when the mutual cooperation ties become stronger, social responsible business practices and standards appear very high on the agenda" stated Ms. Andrea RAFFASEDER, President of the European Business Association in Ukraine. "I hope that the Responsible Business Directory will become an annual publication", she added. 

Mr. Jorge ZUKOSKI, President of the American Chamber of Commerce expressed a hope that the publication would serve as an inspiration to the Ukrainian business community by inheriting the corporate social responsibility principes in their activities and thus boosting the development of Ukraine. 

The Responsible Business Directory incorporates CSR company profiles into one source of information. The Directory will be also contributing to the establishment of a new business community in Ukraine that justifies its existence not only in terms of profit, but also service to the society at large which becomes a tribute to the international business practice tendencies. This publication is a wonderful resource of information for a wide audience and will be distributed within the country and also abroad. 

Photo report of the event  

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Responsible Business Directory Ukraine is the first bilingual publication in Ukraine featuring corporate social responsibility profiles of 60 companies that work in the local market and implement responsible business practices in the country. The Directory contributes to promotion of the national businesses that strive to meet social, environmental and governance objectives. Online version of the Responsible Business Directory will be available at www.un.org.ua and http://www.globalcompact.org.ua/ as of 1 October, 2007.

Global Compact initiative was successfully launched in Ukraine in April 2006 with the support of leading local and multinational companies as well as senior representatives of Government. The initiative aims at making its 10 universal principles on human rights, labour, corruption and the environment part of business strategy and operations around the world.

For more information, please, contact Global Compact Communications Officer, Ms. Aleksandra AFANASIEVA (044) 253 93 63, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .