Switzerland – SDG

1 Introduction

1.5 Policy, strategy and action plan coherence

The NAP assists Switzerland in its efforts to achieve the goals set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all; Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; and Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. The NAP also contributes to the broader efforts to implement the federal Sustainable Development Strategy 2030. The UN Guiding Principles provide the main framework for activities in the business and human rights sphere.

 

2 National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights 2020-23

2.1 Pillar 1: state duty to protect

 

2.1.5 Policy coherence

Guiding Principle 9

Measure 18: Consistency between trade agreements and protection of human rights

In the interests of policy coherence, Switzerland also advocates the inclusion of consistency provisions when negotiating investment protection agreements (IPAs). The federal government drafted provisions to achieve greater consistency between IPAs and sustainable development objectives (e.g. provisions setting out the right to regulate; references to human rights and corporate social responsibility in the recitals to IPAs). These provisions underline the importance of interpreting and applying these agreements in a manner that is consistent with other international commitments undertaken by Switzerland and its partner countries, including those on human rights protection.

 

2.2 Pillar 2: the corporate responsibility to respect human rights

 

2.2.2 Operational principles: human rights due diligence

Guiding Principles 16 to 21

Measure 27: Promote efforts to end all forms of child exploitation in supply chains

The federal government will establish partnerships with the private sector and civil society to advance Goal 8.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: end child labour in all its forms by 2025, eradicate forced labour, and end modern slavery and human trafficking by 2030. It will also evaluate its participation in Global Alliance 8.7, which aims to strengthen international cooperation, coordination and assistance through appropriate multi-stakeholder partnerships.