Created in 2000, the United Nations Global Compact is a UN initiative that encourages multinational corporations to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and corruption. Under the Compact, corporations are brought together with UN agencies, labor groups and civil society and asked to respect the environment and human rights, abolish child labor, recognize collective bargaining rights, and reject bribery and extortion. If agreed to, these corporations are then acknowledged as being responsible partners with the UN. Some corporations display the UN logo when advertising their products. However, according to the Compact itself, once companies declare their support for these principles, "This does not mean that the Global Compact recognizes or certifies that these companies have fulfilled them."

Critics believe that without any effective monitoring and enforcement provisions, the Global Compact fails to hold corporations accountable. They claim there is a conflict of interest for the United Nations to have relationships with private companies, some of which have been responsible for damaging environments and abusing human rights. They also claim some companies use their membership in the Compact as an alternative to, and an excuse not to participate in, international regulations governing corporate accountability.
Supporters say that, with more than 9,500 companies in 160 countries, the Global compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative.

Proposed Legislation: To include verification and enforcement provisions to the U.N. Global Compact partnership with corporations.
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Maxine Waters (CA)