The UN Global Compact is an inclusive initiative open to companies committed to implementing the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, and communicating on progress. To ensure the UN Global Compact policies and practices safeguard the integrity and reputation of the United Nations and the values it upholds, the initiative maintains a few exceptions that restrict participation. Applicants that meet the following exclusionary criteria cannot join the UN Global Compact: 

• Subject to a UN sanction;
• Listed on the UN Ineligible Vendors List for ethical reasons;
• Derive revenue from the production, sale and/or transfer of antipersonnel landmines or cluster bombs;
• Derive revenue from the production and/or manufacturing of tobacco;
• Organizations that receive from or provide significant support to companies that fall within the product-based exclusionary criteria. 

In August 2025, the UN Global Compact introduced a new process for formal non-business participation to ensure stronger alignment with our mission and strategic priorities. Previously, applications were reviewed without a formal assessment of mission alignment. The updated approach places greater emphasis on thoughtful screening to promote meaningful and impactful engagement.

Non-business organizations interested in formal participation submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), which undergoes a joint review by the UN Global Compact Office and the relevant Country Network. This review assesses eligibility, mission alignment, and potential contribution to the initiative’s goals. If, based on this review, an Expression of Interest is deemed suitable to move forward, the organization will be invited to proceed to the application phase and asked to submit a letter of intent from their CEO before a final review is conducted. Please note that the full process can take up to 6 months from start to finish.

This enhanced process helps maintain the UN Global Compact’s integrity and focus while continuing to offer meaningful opportunities for non-business to engage with the initiative.

Please note that the review of expressions of interest and applications is conducted by the relevant Country Network in coordination with the UN Global Compact Office

Non-Business Categories eligible to submit an Expression of Interest

The following categories of non-business organizations are eligible to express interest in joining the UN Global Compact as non-business participants. To submit an EOI, organizations must meet the general eligibility criteria outlined in the Joining Policy, as well as the category-specific criteria listed below. In addition, non-business organizations must have been legally registered for at least two years prior to submitting an EOI.

Labour Organizations

• Must be a nationally or internationally recognized trade union or other accredited labour organization.

Business Associations

• Potential to advance recruitment of business members to the UN Global Compact
• Potential to significantly advance the mission of the UN Global Compact among the members of the business association itself
   

Civil Society Organizations and Other

• Provide critical knowledge and expertise to programming of the UN Global Compact or Country Networks
• Challenge and support business participants in advancing their commitment to the UN Global Compact
• Play a critical role in securing business accountability within the UNGC

Academic Institutions

• Academic institutions interested in joining the UN Global Compact are encouraged to join the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative. PRME is an integrated part of the UN Global Compact and PRME members are recognized as UN Global Compact participants. 

Application Process

• Complete the Expression of Interest Questions
• Provide basic organizational information including name, website, number of employees, type, country of registration, proof of registration, and respond to the Integrity Statement.
• Complete the mission-related questions outlining your organization’s mission, its alignment with the UN Global Compact, and your planned activities to support its mission.

2. Define the Primary Contact Point and Highest Level Executive

• The Primary Contact Point will ensure communication between your organization and UN Global Compact. They will receive regular emails including the UN Global Compact Monthly Bulletin, Communication on Engagement deadlines and updates on news and events.

Once the Expression of Interest (EOI) is submitted, it will undergo a joint review by the UN Global Compact Office and the relevant Country Network. Due to the high volume of EOIs, only organizations deemed a suitable fit will be contacted. Those selected to proceed will receive follow-up information within six months of submission.

1. Complete the Expression of Interest Questions

• Provide basic organizational information including name, website, number of employees, type, country of registration, proof of registration, and respond to the Integrity Statement.
• Complete the mission-related questions outlining your organization’s mission, its alignment with the UN Global Compact, and your planned activities to support its mission.

2. Define the Primary Contact Point and Highest Level Executive

• The Primary Contact Point will ensure communication between your organization and UN Global Compact. They will receive regular emails including the UN Global Compact Monthly Bulletin, Communication on Engagement deadlines and updates on news and events.

Once the Expression of Interest (EOI) is submitted, it will undergo a joint review by the UN Global Compact Office and the relevant Country Network. Due to the high volume of EOIs, only organizations deemed a suitable fit will be contacted. Those selected to proceed will receive follow-up information within six months of submission.

DE-LISTING

The UN Global Compact is an inclusive initiative for companies that commit to align with the ten universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. In order to maintain the integrity and reputation of the initiative, the UN Global Compact has developed criteria for delisting participants.

Companies and organizations that are delisted from the initiative:

• Will be reflected as such on the UN Global Compact website;
• Will have all formal relationships with the UN Global Compact and/or Global Compact Country Network(s) terminated (whether held in an individual or
• company/organizational capacity)1;
• Are not allowed to use the UN Global Compact name or logo, even if such permission had been granted prior to their removal; and
• May result in the forfeiture of financial contributions, including required annual contributions or contributions made to support any engagement opportunity such as sponsorships, etc.

All companies or organizations that are no longer part of the initiative are given the status of “delisted,” with a reason for delisting, and it is reflected as such on the UN Global Compact website. Delistings can either occur for integrity reasons or for administrative reasons, which are usually based on a request by the participant.

Integrity reasons for delisting:

1. Failure to communicate on progress:
   • Business participants: The UN Global Compact requires all business participants to submit an annual Communication on Progress (CoP) that outlines the company’s efforts to implement the Ten Principles. A business participant will be designated as “non-communicating” on the UN Global Compact website if it fails to submit all elements of the CoP by the end of the submission period on 31 July. If a “non-communicating” business participant fails to submit a CoP by 31 December, it will be delisted from the UN Global Compact for “failure to communicate on progress” on 1 January of the new year. For more information, please refer to the 2024 CoP Policy.
   • Non-business Entities: Since 2015, all non-business entities participating in the UN Global Compact are required to submit a biennial Communication on Engagement (CoE), starting from the date of their enrollment. If a non-business entity fails to meet this biennial submission requirement, it will be marked as “non-communicating” on the UN Global Compact website. If this status persists for more than six months, the organization will be delisted for “failure to communicate on progress.”For more information, please read the CoE Policy. 

2. Failure to engage in dialogue: Under the Integrity Measures’ dialogue facilitation process, participants are required to respond to third party concerns raised with the UN Global Compact Office within a two-month deadline. If a participant fails to respond within the required deadline, it may be listed as “non-communicating” on the UN Global Compact website until such dialogue commences. If the status persists for a year, the company will be delisted for failure to engage in dialogue. For more information, please refer to the Integrity Measures Policy.

3. Other reason related to integrity: The UN Global Compact reserves the right to delist participants for:
   • Egregious or persistent misuse of the UN and/or UN Global Compact name and/or logo. The UN Global Compact reserves the right to refer cases to the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs;
   • Learning after an applicant is accepted that the participant provided false or misleading information in the application form;
   • Suspension or removal from the UN Vendor List;
   • When egregious or systematic abuse of the Ten Principles is admitted by an authorized company representative or there is a finding of guilt in a court of law, as a last resort the company may be delisted if their continued participation in the initiative is detrimental to the reputation and integrity of the overall UN Global Compact and its Country Networks.

In addition, as of October 2017, the initiative no longer accepted companies that derive revenue from the production and/or manufacturing of tobacco. Participants that fell within the tobacco exclusion were delisted on 15 October 2017. Should an active participant be subsequently found to meet the tobacco exclusion the UN Global Compact reserves the right to delist them. For more information, please refer to the Integrity Policy Update.

Other reasons for delisting:

1. Participant requested withdrawal: The UN Global Compact is a voluntary initiative, and participants are free to end their participation at any time. Participants may decide to withdraw if they determine they are not in a position to continue their participation in the initiative or if they are unable to uphold their commitment to the Ten Principles. The intention to withdraw should be communicated in writing by an authorized representative of the participating company or organization and specify the reasons for ending the commitment.

2. Merger or acquisition/ Organization no longer exists: A participant no longer exists as a separate entity.

3. Consolidation of commitment under the parent company: A company’s commitment to join the UN Global Compact applies not only to its headquarters, but also to all subsidiaries, local branches and country offices. Parent companies that prefer that their subsidiaries do not remain individual participants of the initiative can consolidate their commitment. In this instance, the parent company’s CoP will cover all subsidiaries’ activities. For more information, please refer to the Subsidiary Policy.

RE-JOINING

All participants delisted from the UN Global Compact that wish to rejoin the initiative will have to submit the below documents:

• Letter of Recommitment to the UN Secretary-General from the chief executive (or equivalent) pledging to make progress on the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and take action in support of UN goals. The Letter shall also include an explanation of the reason for delisting along with corrective measures; and
• Valid CoP or CoE reporting requirement.

The UN Global Compact reserves the right to request proof of payment for any outstanding invoice related to the required annual financial contribution.

The UN Global Compact will consider the following during the readmission process:

• The results of a due diligence review;
• The substance of the Letter of Recommitment and CoP or CoE.

These additional documents/criteria, depending on the specific reason for delisting, are required:

Failure to Engage in Dialogue

Submit a response letter to the third party in the dialogue facilitation process

Suspension or removal from the UN Vendor List

Submit proof of reinstatement in the UN Vendor database

Other reasons related to integrity (Reputational concerns as a result of a finding of guilt or admission of wrongdoing)

All de-listings for this reason will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The UN Global Compact generally recommends companies that are de-listed for this reason to wait at a minimum three years before re-applying in order to provide sufficient time to address the issues of concern. This requirement also applies to companies who decided to voluntarily withdraw for their inability to continue to uphold their commitment to the Ten Principles. 

Re-admission will be based on a substantive review of the following:
Whether the CoE sufficiently describes actions taken to remedy the situation detailing alignment to the Ten Principles.

If applicable, the company should provide the outcome of an assessment conducted by a regulatory body or independent third party.

Other reasons related to integrity (Egregious abuse of the UN/UN Global Compact name or logo)

Submit clearance from the UN Office of Legal Affairs.

Product-based exclusionary criteria

Demonstrate that revenue is no longer derived from the production and/or manufacturing of tobacco.

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