HomeAbout AGSSustainable DevelopmentGlobal CompactSecond communication on progress

2nd communication on progress, April 2011

In this second Communication on Progress, we chose to focus on the fight against corruption, extending to fraud in all its forms, by describing our actions implemented to date and setting new goals. It is an affliction whose eradication requires constant vigilance on the part of companies.

Furthermore, this communication is also an opportunity to evaluate and strengthen the partnership between AGS-MOBILITAS and the NGO, Planet Urgence, in our fight against deforestation in Mali and Indonesia. AGS-MOBILITAS also wishes to encourage a large number of companies to join the

UN Global Compact and to forge partnerships. Our next communication will be an evaluation and consolidation of programmes we have undertaken under the UN Global Compact framework, namely respect for the environment, be it nature or man, and improved working conditions, which have always been part of our corporate responsibility policy.

I. Principle n°10: Anti-Corruption

Principle n°10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

Deeply respectful of the law, AGS-MOBILITAS has always made the fight against corruption and fraud a priority. Aside from this being obligatory for good corporate management, it is a moral and legal imperative.

Thus, AGS-MOBILITAS supports and shares the UN’s anti-corruption goals adopted in 2003. As a company involved in mobility in 76 countries world-wide, and through our transport and logistical activities, we have been exposed to a great deal of extortion solicitation from both government and companies. As a result we have put in place strict control measures. We also endeavour to give our staff the best training possible to provide them, and our external partners, with the best practices and most appropriate conduct in the fight against corruption. These policies are essential to developing an ethical business environment, which is vital for the developing countries in which we operate, and is conducive to successful economic growth.

“That which endangers society is not the large-scale corruption of a few but the apathy of all.”
From: Democracy in America (1835-1840), Alexis de Tocqueville.

II. Group objectives

• To reinforce awareness of corruption and its applicable penalties.
• Strengthen procedures for the resistance to extortion solicitations.
  To this end, AGS-MOBILITAS has developed the following main tools:
  Senior management participation in training organised by the anti-corruption commission of CIAN.
• The distribution of the CIAN handbook, “Resisting extortion solicitations in tax and custom smatters”, to all managers world-wide. This handbook is accompanied by a letter from AGS-MOBILITAS’ CEO, requesting that recipients and their staff use it as a guideline.

III. Group action

Conscious of the disastrous impact of corruption in numerous developing countries,
AGS-MOBILITAS has decided to act by training and informing its staff and partners.

• The CEO’s commitment

In this spirit, the CEO of AGS-MOBILITAS has committed to the anti-corruption commission of the “Conseil des Investisseurs Français” in Africa – CIAN.

This organisation, of which the CEO Alain Taieb is an administrator, includes about one hundred French companies present on the African continent.

Founded in 2002, the anti-corruption commission allows for the creation of a forum for the sharing of ideas and expertise dedicated to the prevention and methods of resistance to extortion solicitations. The President of this commission, Philippe
Montigny, manages ETHIC Intelligence International, the principle certification agency for anti-corruption.

• Training and sharing of good practices

Alain ‘Boulnois’, the Vice-President of AGS-MOBILITAS and President of the Ethics and
Professional Conduct Committee, took part in numerous meetings, described in Annex
1 of this document, to learn, witness, share and promote our methods with our partners.

Christophe Mordelet, Director of Human Resources for AGS-MOBILITAS, responsible for legal expertise and member of the Ethics and Professional Conduct Committee of the
Group, will in 2011 participate in the training cycle of Ethic Intelligence.

This training will enhance his expertise and increase his efficiency and knowledge when answering questions on this matter within AGS-MOBILITAS.

For further details regarding this training please refer to Annex 2 of this document.
Taking into account the necessity for strong co-operation throughout the company to effectively fight against this phenomenon and its global effect, AGS-MOBILITAS has also sent some of its senior executives to relevant seminars abroad.

ABC (Anti Bribery and Corruption) training/awareness event.

• As part of our on-going relationship with our contractors, we are now extending the scope of this dialogue to include targeted training. BP Angola, by this email, is inviting your company to participate in this important event.

• The sessions will be held on Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th November 2010, starting at 14:00. The sessions will last for a maximum of 2.5hrs and will be held at BP's Sunbury-on-Thames offices. At this session multiple companies will be represented. The target attendees from your company (a maximum of 3) should be your BP Angola Account Manager (or other suitable contact who is UK based) and a representative from Finance / Compliance.

• Please find attached a pre-read presentation.

• As places are limited we would appreciate if you could advise us by return, your confirmation of attendance, preferred date (either the 3rd or 4th November) and nominated attendees to neela.chauhan@uk.bp.com (+44 (0)1932 768402)

• VENUE: BP ICBT, Sunbury-on-Thames. Building B, Orange Space (Please go to Building B reception, directions attached).

Jamie Seymour
 Category Specialist D&C

BP Angola
Office: +44 (0)1932 763800
Mobile: +44 (0)7717 782734
james.seymour@uk.bp.com

• Informing AGS-MOBILITAS staff

• Employee awareness, at all levels, to actively fight against fraud or extortion solicitation is the cornerstone of MOBILITAS’ anti-corruption policies. AGS-MOBILITAS is very proud of its values and corporate culture. These are conveyed through a policy of ambitious in-house training (see COP 2010).

• Conscious of the importance, complexity and sensitive nature of this subject, AlainTaieb, CEO of AGS-MOBILITAS, has written a letter to all branch managers world-wide(Annex 3). In addition to its symbolic significance, this initiative ensures that colleagues faced with these difficulties, often frequently, are aware of the understanding and support of management to develop solutions in accordance with laws and ethics.

• Furthermore, the handbook accompanying this letter, which is in English and French, provides tips and practical methods to avoid falling for certain traps set by extortion experts.

• Summary of Group action

VI. Control and monitoring

• Statistical control and accounting

A side from the legal aspects, the control and precise tracking of accounts is part of AGS-MOBILITAS’ thorough management practices. This requirement stems not only from management and shareholders, but also its customers and partners.

• EVALUATION OF RESULTS

The trust of our customers and partners is another important indicator. These are often large international corporations, government agencies and administrations. They have extremely stringent requirements in the fight against corruption.

They selected us as a service provider according to various criteria:

Firstly, the quality and reliability of our services. Secondly, our concern for privacy is also crucial for many of our customers (management of their archives, mobility of expatriates etc.).

But beyond these technical criteria, they have chosen us for our principles and ethics that involve the entire AGS-MOBILITAS group.

Audits conducted by our clients in this area have allowed them to test our strength when faced with extortion solicitation.

VII. Principle n°7: A practical approach to the environment

Principle n°7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges

All human activity has an impact on the environment. As a mobility enterprise we contribute, through transportation and logistics, to CO2 emissions and consume paper when packaging our customers’ effects. Therefore, we have established very strict control procedures and compensation programmes to reduce our carbon footprint. We also strive to encourage our employees and external partners to use best practices and environmental habits.
Alerted to the disappearance of forests (13 million hectares per year), AGS-MOBILITAS has decided to act and to invest in reforestation programmes by partnering with an environmental
NGO: Planète Urgence.

MOBILITAS has subsidised two Planète Urgence programs since 2010:

• An agro-forestry developmental program in Mali
• A project for the restoration of the mangrove forest in northern Indonesia to the
  north of Sumatra

Our objectives

• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
• Protection of bio-diversity
• Socio-economic development

Therefore in 2010 MOBILITAS pledged to plant one tree for each international removal conducted by its branches.

Through its archiving division, AGS-Mobilitas also committed to compensating for its clients’ use of paper by planting one tree for every 15 boxes archived by our subsidiary, ARCHIV SYSTEM

In 2010, AGS-Mobilitas, in partnership with Planete Urgence, planted 10 000 trees in Mali and 5000 in Indonesia.

Highly satisfied with the implementation of these programs and positive impact on staff and partners, AGS-Mobilitas has renewed its commitment to Planete Urgence. 

Furthermore, AGS-Mobilitas had already commissioned 18 000 trees in 2011, being an increase of 20% from 2010.

  Mali 11 000                                                                         Indonesia 7000

VIII. Principle n°8: Environmental responsibility initiative

Principle n°8: Businesses undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility

AGS-MOBILITAS has enhanced its communication tools to sensitise clients to the programme and the impact that their activities have on the environment. Therefore, all those using MOBILITAS services receive a certificate showing the number of trees planted on their behalf in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint.

These documents will soon contain a link which clients can access to check the exact location
of the tree or trees which were planted on their behalf.

http://www.planete-urgence.org/environnement/geolocalisation.php#

Conclusion

Corruption at all levels is rampant throughout the world but it has the greatest impact on countries with fragile economies and hinders their development.

Therefore, over and above the technical and legal aspects, AGS-MOBILITAS has made the fight against corruption a priority. Thus, AGS-MOBILITAS contributes towards a more ethical business climate, as well as more equitable and sustainable development in all the 76 countries where we are present.