The objective of this report, commissioned by the UN Global Compact and based on consultations among its stakeholders, is to assist the United Nations, its agencies and Member States in identifying and designing practical policies to promote the integration of conflictsensitive business practices into broader strategies of conflict prevention, management and sustainable post-conflict recovery.

The report seeks to achieve four aims:

• Identify gaps in existing initiatives and propose ways for public policy to extend or deepen these initiatives and enhance their effective implementation
• Identify and discuss key areas where public policy responses are needed in order to harness the positive potential of business in zones of conflict, as well as mitigate against negative business impacts throughout the conflict cycle
• Develop policy recommendations regarding how the United Nations system, governments and international financial institutions can further engage the private sector in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, particularly through enhanced coordination, publicprivate partnerships and multistakeholder initiatives
• Explore ideas about the creation of new initiatives to address emerging challenges