NL – Investment Treaties and Investor-state dispute settlements, 2nd NAP

Pillar I

Sustainable trade with and investment in developing countries

“Development cooperation policy on business and human rights focuses on improving the sustainability of production and international value chains in and with developing countries in a way that helps reduce poverty and inequality. To this end it is important that a) the interests and specific situation of the developing countries in question are taken into account when designing measures aimed at making trade and investments more sustainable, and b) developing countries are supported in the transition required to meet these commitments to inclusive, green economic development.

The interests and specific circumstances of developing countries must be taken into account when drafting national, European and international agreements aimed at improving the sustainability of trade and investments. Examples include developing standards on deforestation and the climate, the circular economy, land use rights, labour, foreign trade and investments and RBC. The cornerstone of this is to determine the development impact of efforts to make trade and investment more sustainable, especially the impact on vulnerable groups such as indigenous peoples, small-scale producers, workers and agricultural labourers, with a particular focus on women and young people. This should reinforce the efforts’ positive effects and, as far as possible, prevent and mitigate any negative side effects. …” p. 46.

ACTION POINTS PILLAR I	Aim	Responsible party	Timeline
Sustainable trade with and investment in developing countries
Strengthen collaboration between ministries by establishing an interministerial working group to conduct a permanent dialogue on sustainable trade and investments, focusing on specific high-risk value chains with a strong Dutch footprint.	Enhance learning capacity regarding policy coherence on sustainable trade and investments and on business and human rights.	All ministries involved, with BZ taking the initiative.	From 2022
Research, monitor and evaluate the impact on developing/producing countries of national, European and international sets of rules and standards aimed at improving the sustainability of trade and investments, where possible under the auspices of the EU and supported by local stakeholder consultations	Enhance learning capacity regarding policy coherence on sustainable trade and investments and on business and human rights.	BZ	On introduction of new proposals and during implementation.

p.49.