United Nations Development Programme launches Phase 2 of Business and Human Rights (B+HR) project in Pakistan in partnership with the Government of Japan

United Nations Development Programme launches Phase 2 of Business and Human Rights (B+HR) project in Pakistan in partnership with the Government of Japan

Karachi - July 20, 2023 — As part of a global partnership with the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the second phase of its Business and Human Rights (B+HR) project in Pakistan, aimed at promoting responsible business conduct with a particular focus on promoting corporate human rights due diligence (HRDD), thereby contributing to sustainable development and a rights-enabling economy. At the launch, UNDP provided an overview of the B+HR project to key stakeholders, especially Japanese companies in Pakistan and their local partners, and highlighted the achievements of the first phase of the project and upcoming activities over its next period.
During the launch, Mr. Tadayoshi Hiraki, Commercial Attaché of the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan applauded UNDP for its efforts over the past year, and said he looked forward to implementation of the second phase, which reflects “international trends to transform corporate activities to achieve common human rights values.”
Mr. Muhammad Arshad, Director General International Cooperation of the Ministry of Human Rights, highlighted, “Government of Pakistan is committed to advancing the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights in Pakistan, including through the development of human rights due diligence guidelines for businesses.”
“UNDP will expand its engagement of the private sector through partnerships with individual companies for enhancing their measures for responsible business practice,” Mr. Rana Kaiser Ishaque, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative, remarked while thanking the Government of Japan for its sustained support in strengthening human rights protections in Pakistan in relation to business activity.
Speaking on UNDP’s global partnership with the Government of Japan, Livio Sarandrea, UNDP Global Policy Advisor on Business & Human Rights stated, “The second phase of the project offers countries like Pakistan to build and expand its partnerships with the private sector on responsible business practices which were initiated over the previous year.”
Following opening remarks, UNDP summarised the key impacts of Phase 1 of the project, which included training of 39 companies through three seminars in Lahore and Karachi, as well as 18 technical sessions provided to individual companies in both cities on best practices to embed HRDD into their operations and value chains. It was also noted that the project helped strengthen coordination between federal and provincial entities of the Government of Pakistan on implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. Finally, the B+HR project also enabled the strengthening of regional policy coherence, with the Government of Pakistan, learning from Japan’s example, now drafting its own national Human Rights Guidelines for Businesses.
Subsequently, a panel discussion was held to generate recommendations for building an institutional environment for the practice of HRDD in Pakistan which protects rights-holders without disrupting business continuity and competitiveness. Speakers in this panel were Dr. S. Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director, Institute of Business Administration; Ume Laila Azhar, Executive Director, HomeNet Pakistan; Syed Farhan ul Hassan, Deputy Manager HR, Yamaha Motors; Zulfiqar Shah, Member Sindh Human Rights Commission, and Syeda Uzma Shah, Talent Acquisition Lead, Engro Corporation. The discussion revolved around the key drivers for advancing HRDD in Pakistan, including strengthening of the regulatory environment; creation of corporate incentives; and pressure from consumers.




For additional information, please contact Tabindah Anwar at tabindah.anwar@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5650
 
                                                                                    ###  ###  ###
 
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.


Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP