The UN initiative has supported international efforts such as the UN Global Compact Ten Principles for achieving peace[9] and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

[10] Former secretary-general of the United Nations Kofi A. Annan has stated that "It is important to inspire and encourage businesspersons to be conscious of the role they can play as individuals to foster stability and peace.

[12] Saxegaard has said that he finds inspiration in this quote from Adam Smith:[13] Markets could not flourish without a strong underlying moral culture, animated by empathy and fellow-feeling, by our ability to understand our common bond as human beings, and to recognize the needs of others.

[4][15] Business for Peace honourees have been studied to better understand their ethical leadership qualities and their potential role as drivers of change in peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding.

They tend to follow ethical business practices such as (1) emphasizing shareholder returns for the promotion of jobs, economic development, and reductions in poverty (2) following the rule of law, avoiding corruption, recognizing contract and property rights, and engaging in dispute resolution; and (3) building community both externally as socially responsible corporate citizens, and internally through employee engagement, employee rights, and gender equity.

[17] A selection of speakers who have contributed to the Summits: Kjell Magne Bondevik, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, Roberto Servitje (Grupo Bimbo), Guy F. Tozzoli (World Trade Center), Vijay Kalantri (All India Association of Industries), Jan Egeland, Bob Geldof, Nabil Shaath, Anders Källström, Khater Massaad, Jinghai Zheng, John Lervik, Margaret Beckett, Erik Solheim, Festus G. Mogae, Kandeh Yumkella, Jeremy Rifkin, Anthony J. Venables, Gobind Nankani, Petter Nore, Long Yongtu, Timothy L. Fort,[21] Patricia Aburdene,[22] Juan Carlos Echeverry, Børge Brende, Henrik Syse and Erna Solberg.