What is Communication on Progress? How does it help to incorporate transparency and accountability amongst participants? Answer the questions with reference to UN Global Compact transparency and accountability policy.

UN Global Compact incorporates a transparency and accountability policy known as the Communication on Progress (COP). The Communication on Progress (COP) is an annual disclosure to stakeholders on progress made in implementing the ten principles of the UN Global Compact in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and in supporting broader UN development goals. The COP is posted on the Global Compact website by business participants. Failure to issue a COP will change a participant's status to non-communicating and can eventually lead to the expulsion of the participant. Joining the Global Compact is a widely visible as commitment to the ten principles. A company that signs-on to the Global Compact specifically commits itself to: set in motion changes to business operations so that the Global Compact and its principles become part of management, strategy, culture and day-to-day operations; publish in its annual report or similar public corporate report (e.g., sustainability report) a description of the ways in which it is supporting the Global Compact and its principles (Communication on Progress), publicly advocate the Global Compact and its principles via communications vehicles such as press releases, speeches, etc. Ideally, COPs should be integrated into a participant's existing communication with stakeholders. such as an annual or sustainability report. However, in case a participant does not publish such reports, a COP can be a standalone report that is made available for stakeholders through other public communication channels (e.g., websites. Newsletters, intranets, company notice boards. included with payroll, etc.). COPs should be issued in the company's working language and if the company determines a need, in additional languages. Participants are asked to supply a URL link to their COP and to upload the COP itself (as a PDF, PowerPoint. or word document) to the Global Compact website in order to meet the COP submission requirement.