Secretary-General's message to the 57th Congress of "Femmes Chef d'Entreprises Mondiales"

Your organization and the United Nations share a common interest in promoting economic and social progress. And we both recognize the important link between empowering women and achieving development.

As leading business executives, you provide an example not only for other female entrepreneurs, but for women in general.

I hope that those among you who are not yet members of the United Nations Global Compact -- which promotes ten universal principles related to human rights, labour rights, the environment and anti-corruption, and which is the world's largest corporate responsibility and sustainability initiative -- will join soon.

The global economic crisis continues to unfold. Many people have lost trust in markets and the business community. Still, the world looks to businesses to help find sustainable, equitable solutions to the many serious challenges we face. Your engagement is also important in securing a meaningful outcome at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December. I hope you will join our “Seal the Deal” campaign and urge governments to do what is needed to respond to the climate change threat.

Businesses that lead responsibly will help to green our economy, protect our environment and promote better living conditions around the world –all while realizing their own goals, too. I look forward to the contributions you and your entrepreneurial spirit will make to building a more prosperous future for all.