The United Nations officially announces the participation of Etisalat Misr in the Global Compact

The United Nations officially announced the participation of Etisalat Misr in the Global Compact. The UN Global Compact is the largest global initiative in the area of corporate social responsibility, where members from a number of international companies are committed through their conduct and strategies to ten universally accepted principles in the areas of labour, environment, anti-corruption, and human rights.

Etisalat joined this global initiative crowning its recognition and leading role in the field of social responsibility and the implementation of important initiatives that impacted the Egyptian society, including "Origin", which aims to solve water related issues, the projects aims to provide clean drinking water in 7 governorates as well as provide irrigation management solutions. The project also includes a component that aims to contribute to combating kidney failure, a direct result of unclean water. Etisalat’s CSR program also contains other projects in the fields of special needs, humanitarian aid and the environment.

In this regard, Gamal El-Sadat, Chairman of Etisalat Misr expressed his delight with this great achievement and said that it serves the company's objectives in mainstreaming corporate social responsibility on a global scale, and calls other companies to follow the example of "Etisalat Misr" in their practices ultimately creating an stronger impact on society. El Sadat stressed that being a member of the global compact is an achievement on a global scale and a substantial addition to the international awards received in the past two years which proves that the company aims not only for profit but also to contribute to the development of the Egyptian society.

El Sadat added that the participation will allow the company to benefit from the expertise of the United Nations and the international companies participating in this agreement, as well as gain access to the latest research and information available and provides the opportunity to attend training programs related to CSR which ultimately benefits the company and its contributions in this field.

Mohamed Khalil, Head of Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility in Etisalat Misr stated that Etisalat Misr is participating in the global compact with qualification and commitment to the ten principles. Etisalat commits to have a positive approach to environmental challenges, to undertake initiatives to broaden the scope of social responsibility in regards to the community and the environment and finally, to encourage the development and dissemination of environmentally friendly technologies.

Khalil added that the membership provides those in the field of corporate social responsibility with various development opportunities, the UNGC’s workshops and conferences expose participants to the latest practices, the strongest calibres and the most experienced consultants in the field. The aim is to network and ultimately gain experience to offer the latest techniques and methodologies that strengthen the social participation of companies around the world.

It is worth mentioning that the United Nations Global Compact spread extensively among companies in the world, participants have increased at a rate of 30% in 2008 only between small and medium-sized companies, and large corporations around the globe. The focus of this international agreement is for the world to gain social legitimacy of businesses and markets, where companies agree to adhere to the business practices and the ten universal principles which contribute to the establishment of a global market that creates a more stable, equitable and inclusive corporate world.

4/6/2009