We were deeply saddened at the passing on 16 September of John Ruggie, former UN Assistant Secretary-General and close advisor to Secretaries-General.

Mr. Ruggie was a renowned scholar and academic who brought his wisdom and vision to several landmark United Nations initiatives. 

He played a key role in crafting the Millennium Development Goals and contributed to the launch of the UN Global Compact in 2000. He was also the architect of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The ‘Ruggie Principles’, as they have become known, have since made their way into numerous national laws and have helped to shape and elevate the importance of human rights in business.

The Secretary-General conveys his deepest condolences to John Ruggie’s family and he trusts that they will take comfort in the immense impact he had on the world.