Converge Sends Report On Sustainability And Responsible Business Practices To UN

Fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has submitted its 2023 Communication on Progress (CoP) report to the United Nations (UN), highlighting the strides made by the company in the areas of sustainability, human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption, as listed in the UN Global Compact.

Converge proudly shared how it has been making progress in fulfilling the Ten Principles of the UNGC in 2023. I Photo: Converge FibrX Facebook

The company disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) the various measures that it has been implementing in support of the key principles laid down by the UN.

Benjamin B. Azada, Chief Sustainability Officer of Converge, remarked, “Reporting on our sustainability gains is part of the push for transparency and accountability expected of signatories to the UN Global Compact. Converge is proud to share how we’ve been making progress in fulfilling the Ten Principles of the UNGC in 2023, which embody our responsibility to safeguard our people and our planet.”

Azada said that over 17,000 companies in more than 160 countries are committed to showing progress in the areas covered by the Ten Principles.

Likewise, he emphasized that each company participating in the UN Global Compact is expected to submit an annual report – the Communication on Progress – supporting The Ten Principles for reconfirmation.

These Ten Principles, he pointed out, include commitments such as the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor and encouraging the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies, which are spread across the four issue areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.

He added, “The UN Global Compact is a call to companies to align their strategies and operations with ten universal principles related to human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption, and take actions that advance societal goals and the implementation of the SDGs.”

He stressed that Converge continues to uphold customer privacy and data security, which is central to its Human Rights Policy.

As far as labor goes, the company champions workforce welfare by offering various benefits, engagement programs, and talent development to build leaders within its ranks.

In pursuit of its anti-corruption agenda, Converge employs a number of measures, including business integrity policies, transparency promotion, and technology utilization, to effectively manage corruption risks, he noted.

Regarding the environment, he said that Converge continues to seek opportunities to enhance energy efficiency and maximize the use of renewable energy.

It likewise conducted electrical audits, culminating in rectifications to align with the requirements for obtaining an Energy Management Systems certification (ISO 50001), he added.

Azada underscored that Converge also sustained efforts in procuring renewable energy from a mix of geothermal, solar, wind, and hydroelectric sources for both its Reliance IT Center and Clark sites.