top of page
Green Podiums

Communication of Progress (CoP)

Financial Report

As a business* participant of the UN Global Compact, it is mandatory for your organisation, along with all participating organisations globally, to annually release a public report known as the Communication on Progress (CoP). This report will be made publicly accessible on the UN Global Compact website. This provides an excellent opportunity for your company to communicate its efforts in supporting and upholding the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

*Non-Business participants are only required to submit a Communication of Engagements (CoE) biannually. This can be done via the UNGC Dashboard.

A new way to communicate progress
on the Ten Principles is here

In 2023, a new CoP was introduced to facilitate participants to understand, measure, track, and disclose their performance on the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. The updated framework shifts from a narrative format to a standardised questionnaire supported by a digital platform. All business participants are required to disclose their progress using the new CoP system beginning in 2023. For relevant information and documents, please refer below.

The enhanced CoP enables participating companies of the UN Global Compact to:

Measure and demonstrate progress to stakeholders and the public on the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals in a consistent and harmonised way.

Build credibility and brand value by showing their commitment to the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Receive insight, learn and continuously improve performance by identifying gaps, accessing guidance and setting sustainability goals.

Compare performance against peers with access to one of the largest sources of free, public and comparable corporate sustainability data.

The enhanced CoP consists of two elements* that must be submitted through the CoP digital platform:

[1]

CEO Statement of Continued Support, publicly expressing your company’s ongoing commitment to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact at the highest level. The statement is a standardised template that is signed electronically.

laptop_sign.png

[2]

CoP Questionnaire, reporting on corporate action and performance related to the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

laptop_question.png

*For the 2024 reporting year, a sustainability report uploaded through the digital platform can be submitted in lieu of the CoP Questionnaire.

(Available in multiple languages)

CoP Guide Book Image.png

Refer to the CoP Guidebook for information on answering questions, accessing calculations, and exploring a glossary of key terms to assist you in completing the CoP questionnaire.

The reporting period for the mandatory 2024 CoP begins on 1 April until 31 July 2024. Organisations that do not submit their CoP within this window will be labelled as “Non-Communicating” – which limits their access to tools and resources of UNGC. 


There will be no grace period and extensions for participants. If a non-communicating participant fails to submit a CoP within six months of becoming non-communicating (by 31 December of each year), they will automatically be delisted.

CoP Timeline.png

CoP Questionnaire

CoP Guidebook

Questionnaire Deep Dives

Governance

Human Rights

Environment

Anti-Corruption

CoP course from the UNGC Academy

CoP Courses

  • 2] Is there a fee to join the Corporate Sustainability Engagement Programme?
    Yes, a fee will be determined based on the customised programme.
  • 1] How can my company get involved in this programme?
    This programme is exclusively offered to participants of the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) and is custom-tailored to meet the unique needs of each company. You may contact tanzhiying@ungcmalaysia.org to learn more.
  • 2] Who can join the UN Global Compact?
    Participation in the UN Global Compact is open to any business genuinely committed to implementing the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact throughout its operations and sphere of influence, communicating on its progress annually. Properly constituted (under prevailing national law) companies from any industry sector are eligible for participation, except for companies: Subject to a UN sanction Listed on the UN's Ineligible Vendors List for ethical reasons. Earning revenue through the production, sale and/or transfer of anti-personnel landmines or cluster bombs Earning income through the production and/or processing of tobacco. For non-business organisation participation, kindly refer to more information here.
  • 4] What are the commitments upon joining?
    Submission of Communication on Progress (CoP) on an annual basis together with the CEO Statement of Continued Support via a digital platform. For more info, visit the CoP page. Payment of annual contribution fee Failure to comply with the above two obligations will result in expulsion or the company being delisted from UNGC.
  • 9] Is UNGCMYB part of the UN in Malaysia?
    UNGCMYB is registered as a non-profit entity in Malaysia and adheres to local laws and regulations. As a local network we are directly under the purvey of the UN Global Compact.
  • 1] What is the difference between the United Nations Global Compact and UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB)?
    The United Nations Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, mobilising a global movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders. It provides a platform for business and non-business entities to proactively network and engage in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. Participation in the UN Global Compact signifies a visible commitment to implementing, disclosing, and promoting its Ten Universal Principles. Local Networks, such as the Malaysia & Brunei Network, advance the initiative and its Ten Principles at the country level. Our role is to support organisations and private sectors in engaging with the UN Global Compact, ensuring the implementation of its principles, and providing guidance to translate sustainability commitments into action. By providing a platform for dialogue and learning, we create opportunities for multi-stakeholder engagement and collective action.
  • 7] Is signing the Global Compact the same as signing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
    No. The SDGs are a multisectoral agenda that can be worked on independently by civil society, companies and governments. The UN Global Compact supports the business sector with tools, content and resources to facilitate the integration of the SDGs into their business strategies.
  • 5] Can participating/ member companies use the UNGC Logo?
    While the UN Global Compact logo is for use by the initiative only, companies are encouraged to use the Endorser "We Support" logo after obtaining permission through the online request system. It can be used, for example, on websites and relevant print materials to communicate your commitment to the initiative and raise awareness of the UN Global Compact. To obtain permission on the usage of the Endorser logo, companies must submit an official request using the online logo request system. Companies are required to indicate where and how the logo would be used. Every use of the Endorser logo requires prior permission. To use the authorised Endorser logo, an organisation is required to: Be an active Participant of the UN Global Compact, with an active CoP status. For Non-Businesses, have an active Communication of Engagements (CoE) status. Kindly refer here for the logo policy and brand guidelines.
  • 8] Which organisations currently participate in the initiative?
    The UN Global Compact has over 22,000 participants globally, with over 270 companies participating in the Malaysia & Brunei local chapter. You can view the list here and filter participants by country, sector, type of organisation, among other criteria.
  • 6] Is UN Global Compact a certification or consultancy?
    No, the UN Global Compact is not a certification or consultancy, nor is it legally binding or substitute for any regulatory approaches. The UN Global Compact is a principles-based voluntary business initiative anchored in the United Nations, which supports companies to work strategically in driving sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • 3] Can company subsidiaries join the UN Global Compact?
    Yes. Subsidiaries that wish to underline their commitment and become a UN Global Compact signatory alongside their parent company are welcome to become a member of UNGCMYB to actively participate in both our local and global activities. Subsidiaries can join either independently or through their parent company: Independent Joining Subsidiaries can join independently if the parent company is not yet a member. The subsidiary is required to provide its own Letter of Commitment, and will receive a separate profile on the UNGC website. The subsidiary is also required to fill out their own Communication on Progress (CoP) report annually and annual membership fee is calculated on the basis of the subsidiary's turnover/revenue. Joining via Parent Company The subsidiary can use its own or the parent company's Letter of Commitment, and will receive a separate profile on the UNGC website. The subsidiary is given an option to fill out their own CoP annually or adopt its parent company's CoP. Annual membership fee via this application is RM10,000 for a non-listed entity in Malaysia and RM20,000 for a listed entity in Malaysia.
  • 2] Does my company need to be a UNGCMYB participant to join?
    No, companies don't need to be UNGCMYB participants to join. However, as pioneers of the Forward Faster initiative, they have the opportunity to go through all six phases of the Local Forward Faster Framework. Participants, on the other hand, are eligible for specific phases/events/programs within the six phases. Subsidiaries of parent companies participating in the UN Global Compact are welcome to commit separately to one or more of the Forward Faster initiative targets provided they are also UN Global Compact Participants in their own right.
  • 1] Does my company need to commit to all the targets to participate?
    No, it doesn’t. Companies have the flexibility to commit to as few or as many business targets as they prefer to participate in the Forward Faster initiative.
  • 6] My organization was delisted due to no CoP submission. What do I do?
    Your organization will have to rejoin the UN Global Compact. Please contact our Member Relations team with the following documents: - A valid, completed CoP - A letter of re-commitment
  • 1] When am I expected to submit my CoP after joining UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei?
    New joiners are required to submit their first CoP within the submission period of the following calendar year after joining. For example, if a business joins in 2024, they are expected to submit their first CoP in 2025.
  • 2] How do I submit the CoP?
    The CoP is to be submitted through the CoP digital platform, accessible via the UNGC Dashboard by any of the organisation’s designated contact points.
  • 4] My organisation is a subsidiary of a UNGC Participant. Do I have to submit a CoP?
    Subsidiaries are not required to submit their own CoP. If the parent company and subsidiary are linked in our system, the completion of the 2023 CoP should appear on the subsidiary profile as well, and their status should reflect the parent company submission. However, subsidiaries may choose to submit their own CoP to show their entity’s activities, progress and data.
  • 5] My organisation’s status is “Non-Communicating”. How do I become “Active”?
    The Participant status will change to “Active” once the CoP is submitted. If there is still no CoP submission by 31 December of the year, your organisation will be delisted.
  • 3] What time period should my CoP data cover?
    Organisations are required to complete the CoP questionnaire using data from the most recent closed data collection process. Ideally, the CoP data should cover a twelve-month period closed within the twelve months prior to the submission of the CoP (e.g., for the 2023 CoP, a company could use data covering the period from July 2021 to June 2022; January 2022 to December 2022; or April 2022 to March 2023, among other examples). Companies will be ask to indicate the period covered by their CoP data at the beginning of the questionnaire and should maintain consistency over the years regarding the period covered to facilitate better comparability over time.
  • 7] Where can I find all relevant information regarding the CoP requirements, due dates, delisting policy and more?
    You can find up-to-date information on the CoP page, CoP Academy page, or the Help Scout FAQ tool, and join the Participant Q&A sessions, available for registration on theUN Global Compact Events page.
  • 8] Where can I find relevant information and guidance to help me answer each question in the CoP questionnaire?
    The CoP Guidebook is the primary resource for content-related questions. It provides guidance, rationale, and links to references to related reporting standards for additional information.
  • 1] Is there a fee to join the Accelerator?
    Participants of UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) can join ALL Accelerators for FREE.
  • 3] What is the mode of delivery? Is the programme conducted in-person or virtually?
    All Accelerator programmes are delivered virtually, with the exception of the SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals, which is conducted both in-person and virtually.
  • 2] How many representatives from my company can enroll in the Accelerator?
    Participants of UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) may designate up to 2 representatives for each Accelerator. However, for the SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals, companies may designate up to 8 representatives.

Still need help? Check out the Help Scout FAQ tool or

reach out to the CoP team at cop-support@unglobalcompact.org.

bottom of page