LOCAL corporate leaders, captains of industry and senior Government officials gathered in Windhoek on Wednesday to witness the launch of the country's UN Global Compact Network.

The newly launched business initiative is a global concept whereby companies integrate a number of social and environmental concerns into their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis, with the aim of advancing corporate social responsibility in the country.

Compact Network will generally facilitate access to business information, tools and technical inputs through its strong relations with other UN entities, development agencies and civil society.