On 5-6 March, the United Nations Global Compact, in partnership with the Pacific Institute, convened the inaugural working conference of The CEO Water Mandate... Companies represented included Nestle..., The Coca-Cola Company..., Hayleys..., SABMiller...and Suez... Participants engaged in the sharing of best and emerging pratices related to direct operations, supply chain management, watershed protection, transparency, public policy, community engagement, and collective action. These areas constitute the major elements of The CEO Water Mandate, launched by the UN Secretary-General in July 2007 to engage companies on the emerging crisis in fresh water availability and sanitation.