Global governance
ICC applauds Thailand’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) welcomes Thailand’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP) and commitment to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
Thailand has become the latest national government to publish a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP) outlining policy priorities and commitments to ensure the protection of human rights across supply chains.
Beginning in 2016, the Thai government convened leaders from government, business and civil society, to devlop a NAP to establish a collaborative approach toward business and human rights, according to an official press release. Under this NAP, the Thai government will lead a multistakeholder effort to address four priority areas related to business and human rights, including labour conditions and environmental protections.
On the adoption of Thailand’s National Action Plan, Crispin Conroy, ICC’s Permanent Observer to the UN in Geneva, said: “We congratulate the Royal Thai Government for becoming the first country in Asia to issue a National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights.
“This is a critical step in the right direction for establishing a collective and unifed approach to enduring human rights challenges,” Mr Conroy added.
Since the introduction of the UNGPs in June 2011, only 23 countries have developed NAPs. As an early supporter of the UNGPs, ICC strongly believes that all national governments should adopt NAPs to ensure a collaborative approach between government and business on the issue of human rights.
Over the coming weeks, ICC will be mobilising business leaders for the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, which takes place 25-27 November in Geneva. Ahead of this year’s forum, ICC is calling upon participants to embrace the UNGPs and other frameworks aimed at protecting human rights across global supply chains.
Viviane Schiavi, Deputy Director for ICC Green & Inclusive Growth, who will participate in this year’s forum, said: “It is imperative for national governments and business to work together to secure the protection of those engaged in private sector activities.
“At this year’s forum, we are hopeful that national governments and business will follow Thailand’s lead and intensify their commitments to safeguarding human rights for all.”
With support from national governments, like Thailand, ICC believes that business engagment can address persisting social and economic inequalities in global supply chains.
Read more about ICC’s engagement with business and human rights.
