Corporate Influence on Global Governance: GPF Analysis

SG_at_WEF_2014 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon meets with World Economic Forum Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab, Davos 2014. (UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe)

This section brings together recent reports and articles written by Global Policy Forum, tracking and analyzing the political influence of the private sector - particularly large transnational corporations - on arenas of global governance. Recent work focuses on the United Nations in particular, and how a small number of corporations, business associations, and private philanthropic foundations engage with multiple processes to ensure that the outcomes align with a global pro-business agenda. As this work illustrates, corporations and their proxies transform the discourse and/or block progressive outcomes in both the UN's sustainable development post-2015 and the business and human rights processes, pushing (overtly and/or silently) for "multi-stakeholder" governance models and voluntary, non-binding corporate social responsibility commitments.

2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | before

2019
Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2019 Reshaping governance for sustainability: Transforming institutions – shifting power - strengthening rights Global Civil Society Report on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs Beirut/Bonn/Ferney-Voltaire/Montevideo/New York/Penang/Rome/Suva, July 2019 ISBN 978-3-943126-46-4 www.2030spotlight.org
Nachhaltig nur auf dem Papier? Die ambivalente Rolle der Wirtschaft bei der Umsetzung der SDGs Briefing Herausgeber: Brot für die Welt/Global Policy Forum/MISEREOR> Autorin: Karolin Seitz Aachen/Berlin/Bonn, März 2019 Download (pdf, 234 KB)
A Fatal Attraction? Business engagement with the 2030 Agenda Working Paper Authors: Karolin Seitz, with substantial contributions from Barbara Adams, Laraine Mills and Jens Martens Published by Bischöfliches Hilfswerk MISEREOR, Brot für die Welt-Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung e.V., Global Policy Forum Aachen/Berlin/Bonn/New York, February 2019 ISBN 978-3-943126-45-7 Download the working paper here (pdf, 652KB).
Briefing Paper on the Zero Draft Unpacking Arguments against a Treaty Authors: Armin Paasch, Karolin Seitz, Eva-Maria Reinwald, Maren Leifker, Julia Otten Published by: Global Policy Forum Bonn, January 2019 Download the Briefing here (pdf, 100 KB) Download the German version here (pdf, 103 KB)

What you get for your dollar "Effective Altruism" - What it is, how philanthropic foundations use it and what are its risks and side-effects Briefing Author: Karolin Seitz Published by Bischöfliches Hilfswerk MISEREOR, Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung - Brot für die Welt, Global Policy Forum Aachen/Berlin/Bonn, January 2019 Download the briefing here (pdf, 239 KB).
2018
Philanthrocapitalism in global health and nutrition: analysis and implications Discussion Paper Authors: Nicoletta Dentico and Karolin Seitz Published by Bischöfliches Hilfswerk MISEREOR/Brot für die Welt/Health Innovation in Practice/Global Policy Forum/medico international Aachen/Bonn/Berlin/Geneva/Frankfurt a.M., October 2018 Download the paper here (pdf, 247KB) Download the Spanish version here (pdf, 1,6MB)
Statement of the "Treaty Alliance Germany" on the draft for a legally binding UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights (»Zero Draft«) Published by the Treaty Alliance Germany: Attac Deutschland, Brot für die Welt, BUND, CIR, CorA-Netzwerk für Unternehmensverantwortung, FEMNET, FIAN- Deutschland, Forschungs- und Dokumentationszentrum Chile- Lateinamerika, Forum Fairer Handel, Forum Umwelt und Entwicklung, Germanwatch, Global Policy Forum Europe, Goliathwatch, INKOTA, Medico International, MISEREOR, Mission EineWelt, PowerShift, SÜDWIND, WEED. September 2018 Download the statement here (pdf, 71,2 KB) Download the German version here (pdf, 103 KB)
Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2018 Exploring new policy pathways: How to overcome obstacles and contradictions in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda Report of the Civil Society Reflection Group on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Published by Social Watch, Third World Network, Global Policy Forum, Arab NGO Network for Development, Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era, Society for International Development, Public Servies International, Center for Economic and Social Rights with support from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Beirut/Bonn/Ferney-Voltaire/Montevideo/New York/Penang/Rome/Suva, July 2018 ISBN 978-943126-40-2 www.2030spotlight.org


Highjacking the SDGs? The Private Sector and the Sustainable Development Goals Report Authors: Marie-Luise Abshagen, Anna Cavazzini, Laura Graen, Wolfgang Obenland Published by: Brot für die Welt, German NGO Forum on Financing for Development, Unfairtobacco, Global Policy Forum, MISEREOR Berlin/Bonn, July 2018 Download the report here (pdf, 2,1 MB)
Regeln zu Wirtschaft und Menschenrechten Wirtschaftslobby gegen jegliche Verbindlichkeit und wie die Politik darauf reagiert Briefing Herausgeber: Bischöfliches Hilfswerk MISEREOR, Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung - Brot für die Welt, Global Policy Forum Autoren: Uwe Kerkow, Karolin Seitz Aachen / Berlin / Bonn, Mai 2018 Zum Download des Briefings (pdf, 270 KB)
Procedure and Format Options for an UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights Briefing Author: Harris Gleckman Published by Global Policy Forum and Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung-New York Office Berlin/Bonn/New York, April 2018 Download the briefing here (pdf, 249KB)
Die Agenda 2030, Geberprioritäten und ein neuer Funding Compact der UN Einige Lehren aus den Erfahrungen der WHO Briefing Herausgeber: Global Policy Forum Europe Autorinnen: Barbara Adams, Karen Judd und Karolin Seitz Bonn, März 2018 Zum Download des Briefings (pdf, 235 KB)
The UN Foundation – A foundation for the UN? Working Paper Authors: Barbara Adams and Jens Martens Published by Global Policy Forum and Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung – New York Office Bonn/Berlin/New York, March 2018 ISBN 978-3-943126-38-9 Download the working paper here (pdf, 928 KB)
One step further towards global regulation of business Report of the third session of the UN working group on a binding instrument on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights (“treaty”) Briefing Author: Karolin Seitz Published by Global Policy Forum and Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung—New York Office Bonn/New York, January 2018 Download the briefing paper here (pdf, 248 KB) Download the briefing paper in German here (pdf, 241 KB)
2017
TOWARD GLOBAL REGULATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND BUSINESS Position paper of the Treaty Alliance Germany on the UN treaty process on transnational corporations and other business enterprises Published by Attac Deutschland, Brot für die Welt, Bund für Umwelt- und Naturschutz Deutschland, Christliche Initiative Romero, CorA-Netzwerk für Unternehmensverantwortung, Femnet, FIAN Deutschland, Forschungs- und Dokumentationszentrum Chile-Lateinamerika, Forum Fairer Handel, Forum Umwelt und Entwicklung, Global Policy Forum, INKOTA-netzwerk, medico international, MISEREOR, PowerShift, SÜDWIND and WEED Berlin, December 2017 Download the full position papier here (pdf, 290 KB)
UN Treaty - Menschenrechte vor Profit Bündniszeitung Herausgegeben von Christliche Initiative Romero, Attac Deutschland, FIAN Deutschland, Südwind, MISEREOR, Brot für die Welt, DGB, CorA-Netzwerk für Unternehmensverantwortung, Global Policy Forum, medico international, European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR). Berlin, Oktober 2017 Zum Download der Bündniszeitung (pdf, 712 KB)
Politische Gestaltungsmacht für die sozial-ökologische Transformation Privatisierung, Partnerschaften, Unternehmensmacht und die Umsetzung der Agenda 2030 Internationale Politikanalyse Autor: Jens Martens Herausgeber: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung und Global Policy Forum Berlin/Bonn, August 2017 ISBN 978-3-95861-928-9 Download (pdf, 250 KB)
SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2017 Reclaiming policies for the public: Privatization, partnerships, corporate capture and their impact on sustainability and inequality - assessments and alternatives Report of the Reflection Group on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Published by Social Watch, Third World Network, Global Policy Forum, Arab NGO Network for Development, Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era, Society for International Development, Public Servies International, Center for Economic and Social Rights with support from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Beirut/Bonn/Ferney-Voltaire/Montevideo/New York/Penang/Rome/Suva, July 2017 ISBN 978-3-943126-33-4 www.2030spotlight.org
Partnerschaften mit Risiken Über die Chancen, Gefahren und Nebenwirkungen von Multi-Akteur-Partnerschaften für nachhaltige Entwicklung Ein Dossier von Brot für die Welt, Global Policy Forum und MISEREOR in Zusammenarbeit mit der Redaktion welt-sichten Konzept und Redaktion: Karolin Seitz, Klaus Schilder, Mareike Haase, Anja Ruf Aachen/Bonn/Berlin/Frankfurt a.M., Mai 2017 24 Seiten Zum Download des Dossiers (pdf, 2.020 KB)
Corporate influence on the G20 The case of the B20 and transnational business networks Author: Jens Martens Published by Global Policy Forum and Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung ISBN 978-3-943126-32-7 Bonn/Berlin/New York, March 2017 Download the full paper here (pdf, 900 KB).
Die Wirtschaftslobby und die G20 Die Business20 und das Geflecht transnationaler Unternehmensnetzwerke rund um die G20 Briefing Autor: Jens Martens Herausgegeben von Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung und Global Policy Forum Bonn/Berlin, März 2017 Das gesamte Briefing hier zum Download (pdf, 300 KB)
Globale Partnerschaften Wundermittel zur Umsetzung der 2030-Agenda? Bericht Autoren: Jens Martens und Karolin Seitz Herausgeber: Global Policy Forum Europe ISBN: 978-3-943126-31-0 Bonn, Februar 2017 68 Seiten Zum Download des Arbeitspapiers (pdf, 1,3 MB)
Multi-Akteur-Partnerschaften in der 2030-Agenda Elemente eines rechtlichen und institutionellen Rahmens Briefing Autoren: Jens Martens und Karolin Seitz Herausgeber: Global Policy Forum Europe Bonn, Februar 2017 Zum Download des Briefings (pdf, 200 KB)
Gestiftete Entwicklung? Die Kooperation zwischen der deutschen Entwicklungspolitik und privaten Stiftungen Bericht Autor/innen: Jens Martens und Karolin Seitz Herausgeber: Brot für die Welt, Global Policy Forum, MISEREOR Aachen/Berlin/Bonn/New York, Januar 2017 ISBN 978-3-943126-29-7 Download (pdf, 880 KB)

2016
“Morality cannot be legislated, but behaviour can be regulated” Bericht über die zweite Tagung der UN-Arbeitsgruppe zur Erstellung eines verbindlichen Rechtsinstruments zu Wirtschaft und Menschenrechten, 24.-28. Oktober 2016, Genf Briefing Autorin: Karolin Seitz Herausgegeber: Brot für die Welt, Global Policy Forum, MISEREOR Aachen/Berlin/Bonn, Dezember 2016 Download (pdf, 641 KB)
FENSA - a fence against undue corporate influence? The new Framework of Engagement with non-State Actors at the World Health Organization Briefing Published by Brot für die Welt/Global Policy Forum/MISEREOR Author: Karolin Seitz Aachen/Berlin/Bonn, September 2016 9 pages Download the briefing paper (PDF, 795 KB)
The Struggle for a UN Treaty Towards global regulation on human rights and business Report Published by Global Policy Forum/Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung—New York Office Authors: Jens Martens and Karolin Seitz Berlin/Bonn/New York, August 2016 61 pages ISBN 978-3-943126-28-0 Download the Working Paper (PDF, 712 KB) Download the German version (PDF, 1,4 MB)
2015
Philanthropic Power and Development Who shapes the agenda? Report Published by Brot für die Welt/Global Policy Forum/MISEREOR Authors: Jens Martens and Karolin Seitz Aachen/Berlin/Bonn/New York, November 2015 76 pages ISBN 978-3-943126-21-1 Download the Working Paper here. Download a German summary here.
Fit for whose purpose? Private funding and corporate influence in the United Nations Report Published by Global Policy Forum Authors: Barbara Adams and Jens Martens Bonn/New York, September 2015 140 pages ISBN 978-3-943126-20-4 Download full report here (PDF, 2,5 MB) For single chapters, please see here.
2014
Corporate influence through the G8 New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition in Africa Working Paper Author: Wolfgang Obenland Published by Global Policy Forum/Brot für die Welt/MISEREOR Aachen/Berlin/Bonn/New York, August 2014 ISBN 978-3-943126-18-1 Download here (pdf, 590 KB).
La influencia empresarial en el proceso post-2015 Cuadernos 2015 y más Working Paper Autora: Lou Pingeot Editores: Plataforma 2015 y más, MISEREOR, GPF, Brot für die Welt Madrid, Julio de 2014 Descárguelo aquí (pdf, 1,1 MB)
Beyond the “Partnerships” Approach: Corporate Accountability Post-2015 GPF Briefing 2 Download here (pdf, 80 KB)
Privatizing Global Governance: Corporate Influence at the United Nations GPF Briefing 1 Download here (pdf, 90 KB)
Corporate Influence on the Business and Human Rights Agenda of the United Nations Working Paper Author: Jens Martens Published by Brot für die Welt/Global Policy Forum/MISEREOR Aachen/Berlin/Bonn/New York, June 2014 ISBN: 978-3-943126-16-7 Download here (pdf, 800 KB).
Contracting Insecurity Private military and security companies and the future of the United Nations Report Author: Lou Pingeot Published by: Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung—New York Office and Global Policy Forum Bonn/New York, February 2014 Download here (pdf, 1,5 MB)
Corporate influence in the Post-2015 process Working Paper Author: Lou Pingeot Published by: Brot für die Welt/Global Policy Forum/Misereor Aachen/Berlin/Bonn/New York, January 2014 Download here (pdf, 630 KB)
2013
Whose Development, Whose UN? Report Authors: Barbara Adams and Lou Pingeot Published by: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Berlin/New York, November 2013 ISBN 978-3-86498-698-7 Download (pdf, 170 KB)
Misdirecting finance – who benefits? Comments by the Civil Society Reflection Group on Global Development Perspectives Published by the Civil Society Reflection Group on Global Development Perspectives, September 2013. Download (pdf, 140 KB)
The New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition in Africa: Is the initiative by the G8 countries suitable for combating poverty? A Policy Paper by the German NGO Forum on Environment & Development July 2013 Published by the German NGO Forum on Environment & Development Download (pdf - 500 KB)
2012
Dangerous Partnership: Private Military and Security Companies and the UN Report Author: Lou Pingeot Published by: Global Policy Forum/Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung New York, June 2012 Download (pdf, 950 kb) Download executive summary (pdf, 190 kb
2011
Civil Society and the United Nations (December 2011) This paper from Global Policy Forum describes and analyzes the relationship between civil society and the UN. The essay charts the struggle since 1945 to enlarge NGO access, from the first steps in the 1940s and ‘50s, to the blossoming of new organizations in the 1970’s, the dynamism of the 1990s, and the increasing difficulties of 2000 and beyond. (Global Policy Forum) [First published by Uppsala University in Global Civil Society: Shifting Powers in a Shifting World, 2011] Download (pdf, 105 KB)
before
Problematic Pragmatism (June 2008) Global Policy Forum's Jens Martens gives a critical analysis of the 2008 report by UN Special Representative for Business and Human Rights John Ruggie – "Protect, Respect and Remedy: a Framework for Business and Human Rights." Martens calls the report "a description of the status quo" that does not leave the door open for developing new ideas on international law and corporate responsibility. Martens offers concrete steps, based on Ruggie's recommendations, towards increasing corporate accountability, such as creating an International Advisory Center, using Security Council sanctions and strengthening national complaints mechanisms. Jens Martens: Problematic Pragmatism. The Ruggie Report 2008: Background, Analysis and Perspectives June 2008 Published by Misereor and GFP Europe Download (pdf, 400 KB)