Sustainable development

Preamble

This globalization presents extraordinary opportunities for an open and commercially engaged country like Belgium. It also makes Belgium’s companies social actors in countries where they are active, far beyond the purely economic aspect. This reality cannot be conceived of an isolation from the rest of our foreign policy. Very committed to the universal principles of human rights as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Belgium wants to help its companies, whether public or private, to take these considerations structurally and horizontally in their operations in Belgium, certainly, but also abroad.

Belgium is fully aware that if it is to be effective, this work must be done in a concerted manner and in collaboration with business and civil society, NGOs, and trade unions It is in this spirit that in 2011 we supported the resolution of the Human Rights Council, which adopted the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), the product of many years of consultation with all stakeholders (companies, NGOs, trade unions) and with the full support of the latter. It is also in this spirit that Belgium is committed in the government agreement to adopt a National Action Plan (NAP) implemented its Guiding Principles.

Foreword

At the instigation of the institutions of the European Union, the Flemish, Walloon, and Brussels federal and regional governments have decided to develop a National Action Plan (NAP) implementing the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, unanimously adopted on 17 June 2011 by the United Nations Human Rights Council. This plan will also provide an opportunity to reaffirm Belgium’s support for a number of commitments made in other forums that overlap with the same principles, such as the Guidelines for Multinationals (revised in 2011) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) or a series of commitments made at the level of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

In addition, this plan contributes to Belgium’s efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and in particular, Goal 8 “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all” and Goal 12 “Establish Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns”.

Action Point 6

Belgian SDG Charter on the role of the private sector, civil society, and the public sector on international cooperation (Page 27)

Charte belge ODD sur le rôle du secteur privé, de la société civile et du secteur public dans la coopération internationale

Federal Government Action:

In 2016, Belgian development cooperation initiated the drafting and signing of a Belgian SDG Charter on the role of the private sector, civil society, and the public sector on international cooperation. The first step in the realization of this Charter was the organization of a round table at the beginning of February 2016, which brought together some 40 CEOs from companies active in developing countries to give them more information about the 2030 Agenda and the role that could be reserved for the Belgian public sector.

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Pillar 1. State duty to respect human rights

Strand 1: Training in the Field of Business and Human Rights

Action Point 1.5 [page 32]

The Ministry of Social Development will:

Through the Division of Public-Private Cooperation, include the focus on business, human rights and sustainable development in training activities about Public Incentives to Benefit Social Development by means of:

• Workshop-seminars about Public Incentives to Benefit Social Development for Business Enterprises and public-private cooperation in accordance with the Guiding Principles and the 2030 Agenda, thus strengthening the State-Business nexus and promoting due diligence in human rights.
• Introduction of a module about the “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and their connection with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” in a workshop-seminar organised by business senior and executive staff.

Action Point 1.7 [page 33]

The National Human Rights Institute will:

Train staff working in regions about business, human rights and sustainable development, in line with the 2030 Agenda.

Strand 4: Transparency and Participation

Action Point 4.2 [page 40]

The Public-Private Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Social Development will include questions about the Guiding Principles in the 2017 Study about Social Performance of Business Enterprises, as well as the result of these variables in the final performance report, which will include an analysis of the results and their relationship with the SDGs. Medium and large-size public and private business enterprises will participate in the study.

Strand 6: Strengthening Coherence between Public Policies

Action Point 6.1 [page 44]

Among the efforts being made to implement the 2030 Agenda, the Ministry of Social Development will stress the importance of Human Rights and their relationship with the business industry. For this, the Ministry will:

Disseminate the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in, at least, two instances of participation and dialogue focused specifically on addressing the subject of rights in the social environment. Business enterprises, academic centres, the civil society, the State and autonomous bodies would participate in these activities.

Carry out, for the dissemination of the 2030 Agenda, participation and reflection actions with business enterprises.

Organise, during the diagnostic stage of the actions related with the 2030 Agenda, a first analysis workshop aimed at discussing proposals linked with the contribution of the private sector to achieve the SDGs, with the participation of private businesses, academic centres, the civil society, the State and autonomous bodies.

Action Point 6.3 [pages 45-46]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will:

Generate an opportunity to discuss, at a national level, about the integration of the Agenda of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, as well as about the challenges of these Agendas about the contribution of business enterprises. Regarding this national commitment, the Ministry is committed to generate crossreferences about human rights and climate change in the reports prepared about these subjects submitted to international organisations.

Action Point 6.4

The Ministry of Economy will:

Incorporate the Action Plan in the working agenda of the Economic Board integrated by the National Council for the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, by following up the indicators proposed in the Action Plan that relate with the design and execution of the said Agenda.

Prepare an annual report informing about the relationship between cooperatives and SDGs. This report will include a special chapter about human rights.

Strand 7: Strengthening of International Political Coherence

Action Point 7.2 [page 47]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will:

Through the Directorate of Human Rights:

Submit a report with recommendations to the National Council for Sustainable Development about the link between the Guiding Principles and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Contribution by Other Actors [page 65]

3. Global Compact Chile will organise a series of activities with technical support by the Directorate of Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international organisations.

This will have the purpose of building capabilities regarding the Guiding Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals in business enterprises that are members of Global Compact Chile, such as:

•  Creation of a Working Group on Business and Human Right in Global Compact.
•  Introduction workshop about their application, practice and connection with the SDGs.
•  Four working sessions aimed at including the human rights focus and how it is applied by business enterprises about the SDGs.
•  Collection and dissemination of tools for the adoption of due diligence by companies, in line with the SDGs, introducing material available of the Global Compact World Office.

IV. Implementation, Monitoring and Follow-up [page 68]

1. Progress achieved by the Action Plan will be also incorporated in reports about the 2030 Agenda in Chile, both regarding the global and regional mechanisms …

6. The Economic Working Group for implementing the 2030 Agenda will incorporate progress made by the Action Plan to the progress achieved in the SDGs 17 in compliance reports.

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The Colombian National Action Plan on Human Rights and Business [page 6]

Consistency with other international rules and standards. Apart from the Guiding Principles inspiring its development, this Plan takes into account the major relevant related standards, such as the United Nations Principles for Responsible Contracts, the Guidelines of the OECD for Multinational Enterprises, the OECD Due Diligence Guidelines for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains in the Areas of Conflict or High Risk; the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VP), the Principles of Global Compact and the ISO 26000 Standard. Also, the recommendations of the OECD Task Forces have been observed. Their application is consistent with and strengthens the provisions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), adopted by the International Community in 2015.

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The Czech NAP does not make an explicit reference to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Annex 1: Overview of the implementation of the state duty to protect

GP10 State Duty to Protect [page 32]

States, when acting as members of multilateral institutions that deal with business related issues, should: Seek to ensure that those institutions neither restrain the ability of their member States to meet their duty to protect nor hinder business enterprises from respecting human rights..

Status in Denmark (initiatives implemented before the UN ratification of the Guiding Principles)

… The government supports that the post-2015 development agenda is firmly anchored in human rights and universally accepted values and principles, including those encapsulated in the Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Millennium Declaration…

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Introduction [page 4]

… The United Nations Guiding Principles are a universal road-map supporting the creation of rules to make businesses accountable in the human rights field. Their unanimous adoption was a key step towards acting on the observation that, if human development is to be sustainable in a globalized world, both public and private actors must be responsible towards the society and planet they live and operate in. …

I- The State’s Obligation to Protect Human Rights

Introduction [page 12]

… In the diplomacy field, France appointed an ambassador for bioethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in 2008.

“With the challenges of sustainable development increasingly high on the international agenda, corporate social responsibility (CSR), defined as the ways in which businesses integrate Sustainable Development Goals into their operations by controlling their societal impacts and incorporating societal expectations, is currently being negotiated in a large number of forums.”…

The International Framework 

1. The United Nations (UN) [page 13]

… During the World Summit on Sustainable Development on 25 September 2015, the UN adopted the 2030 Agenda, a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs apply to all UN Member States, including France. They are global goals that aim to end poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change. This programme builds on the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Businesses are strongly encouraged to take measures to help attain these 17 goals, and to include their results in management reports.

France also chairs the Group of Friends of Paragraph 47 of the Rio+20 Declaration. This group promotes sustainable development reporting to better ensure that economic actors respect social, environmental, good governance and human rights standards. This group successfully advocated for reporting to be reinforced and extended to all SDGs. …

Actions Underway [page 16]

• Working with the Group of Friends of Paragraph 47 of the Rio+20 Declaration, France supports the reinforcement of reporting requirements in the environmental, social and governance fields, especially with respect to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted on 25 September 2015.

The European Framework

8. Trade and Investment Agreements [pages 20-22]

… European trade agreements incorporate CSR and adherence to international conventions on labour and the environment. EU free trade agreements all include sustainable development chapters, which contain provisions on labour law and environmental protection. These chapters also refer to CSR. … Sustainable
development chapters in EU free trade agreements and investment agreements contain two further important provisions: one prevents parties to the agreement from lowering social and environmental standards to promote trade and attract investments; the other confirms States’ right to regulate in the social and environmental fields. …

… From the French perspective, addressing these issues in free trade agreements results in a number of weaknesses:

…

• Secondly, although trade agreements include social and environmental standards and human rights clauses taken from the main international texts on labour laws and the environment, international organizations (the UNDP, ILO, etc.) are not involved in negotiations, despite the fact they carefully monitor the implementation of these texts (through regular reports by State parties, etc.). Instead, in trade agreements, a committee meeting at least once per year is charged with monitoring the implementation of sustainable development chapters. Civil society (NGOs and nonprofit organizations) can also act as whistleblowers if these regulations are breached, although this power is not institutionalized. Discussions with civil society are generally formalized by way of an annual forum or consultative committee bringing together stakeholders from different backgrounds. …

… In 2013, France issued a number of proposals to improve the way in which social and environmental standards were addressed in European trade agreements. These proposals are still relevant. These proposals focus on five main areas:

…

2. Improving the evaluation of sustainable development chapters through rigorous impact assessments. These impact assessments must provide a clear overview of social and environmental standards in countries negotiating agreements with the EU. France has completed a major revision of the European manual used to write these impact assessments. This could lead to progress in the field.

…

4. Improving the enforcement of existing sustainable development chapters by reinforcing implementation mechanisms. In November 2015, the French Minister of State for Foreign Trade sent a letter to European Commissioner Cecilia Malström asking the European Commission to investigate ways of including these chapters in dispute settlement mechanisms in trade agreements.
5. Increasing the involvement of businesses by including CSR requirements in sustainable development chapters in trade agreements. Currently, these chapters contain a short paragraph on CSR, but this should be reinforced by adding references to key international texts on the subject (particularly the OECD Guidelines).

Actions to be Implemented 

• Ensure that sustainable development chapters in EU free trade agreements are binding and enforceable under these agreements’ dispute settlement mechanisms.

…

The National Framework

9. The Protection of Human Rights and the Environment: Constitutional Guarantees [page 22]

… The charter [Charter for the Environment of 2004] acknowledges a number of rights, including “the right to live in a balanced environment which shows due respect for health” (Article 1), the obligation for public policies 23 to “promote sustainable development” and “reconcile the protection and enhancement of the environment with economic development and social progress” (Article 6), the right to “have access to information pertaining to the environment” and to “participate in the public decision-taking process likely to affect the environment” (Article 7), as well as the principles of precaution and prevention in the environmental field. …

II. Businesses’ responsibility to respect human rights

Introduction

Actions to be implemented [page 38]

• Help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

…

2. Training and Information for Businesses [page 39]

All staff members must be made aware of CSR. Because CSR involves protecting, developing and enhancing an organization’s human capital, it is dependent on training. Training is central to sustainable development, enabling people to adapt their skills to economic, professional and societal changes. Training efforts must also target appropriate populations. …

Footnote:  See the report RSE et dialogue social (CSR and social dialogue) published by the General Inspectorate of Social Affairs/General Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development in July 2013.

Existing Tools and Responsible Practices [page 40]

• Some businesses include human rights modules in sustainable development training programmes for directors. Others offer specific training to purchasers, human resources staff, legal staff, etc.

…

5. Employee Representatives [page 43]

… In 2013, the CNCDH recommended “including stakeholders outside of the company in the term ‘interested parties’ used in Article L.238-1 of the Commercial Code so as to enable such persons to ask the judge hearing applications for interim relief to order the company to provide any information it might not have provided in its ‘sustainable development’ report.” …

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There is no mention of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Business and Human Rights Chapter of the Georgian Human Rights NAP.

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Objectives of the National Action Plan [page 4]

The Federal Government attaches great importance to worldwide protection and promotion of human rights. The European Commission, in its Communication of 2011 entitled “A renewed EU strategy 2011-14 for Corporate Social Responsibility”, called on all EU Member States to develop their own national action plans for the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles. The Federal Government, in the coalition agreement of 2013, committed itself to implementing the UN Guiding Principles in Germany. Through the present National Action Plan for Business and Human Rights (NAP), it wishes to contribute to improving the human rights situation worldwide and to giving globalisation a social dimension in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

1. The State Duty to Protect

1.1 Basic rules of economic policy

Development Policy [page 18]

German development policy is value-based and is guided by the principle of human rights, because every individual worldwide must have fair development opportunities. Respecting, protecting and guaranteeing human rights are binding requirements and form a key component of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which, in 2015, the international community resolved to implement. With its globally and universally applicable Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the 2030 Agenda serves as a compass and reference framework and has been in force since 1 January 2016. The 2030 Agenda underlines the aspiration of the Federal Government to combine economic development with sustainability, with the basic principles of social and green market economics and with decent working conditions. Through its development policy, Germany works proactively at all levels – globally, in partnership with other countries and nationally – to ensure that human rights are upheld by fostering the creation of requisite legal and institutional conditions, pertinent state regulation, and the monitoring of corporate activity. To this end, assistance is given to governments of developing countries as well as to international and multilateral organisations, for example, in aligning their economic and social policies more closely with human rights and sustainability standards.

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Section 1

International context and domestic consultative process

Other international initiatives [page 10]

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (“the 2030 agenda”) adopted at a special UN summit in September 2015 sets a global framework for action for poverty eradication and sustainable development and will determine priorities and help guide allocation of resources world-wide over the coming 15 years. The 2030 agenda is universal and all countries will need to implement it, both internally and in their external action. The 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets at the heart of the agenda provide an integrated framework to achieve sustainable development globally. The SDGs of most relevance to the issue of Business and Human Rights are:

SDG 1 end poverty in all its forms everywhere

SDG 5 achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

SDG 8 Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

The Addis Ababa action agenda forms an integral part of the 2030 Agenda. Together with the means of implementation under each SDG and goal 17 (means of implementation and global Partnership), it sets out the full range of means of implementation – financial and non-financial, public and private, domestic and international, actions and enabling policies – to be mobilised in the context of the global Partnership to achieve the agenda. In March 2016, the Council of Europe3 adopted a Recommendation to assist member states in preventing and remedying human rights violations by business enterprises. The Recommendation elaborates on access to judicial remedy, drawing on Council of Europe expertise and legal standards and puts special emphasis on the additional protection needs of workers, children, Indigenous People and human rights defenders. It also recommends a review of implementation of the Recommendation by the member states within five years of its adoption, with the participation of relevant stakeholders.

Annex 1 – list of additional and ongoing actions to be carried out across government

EU and Multilateral Efforts [page 20]

4. Promote business and human rights issues in global policy processes within the framework of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, in particular through sustainable development goals 8, 1 and 5.

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I. Statement of Commitment [page 5]

To protect human rights, Italy undertakes to:

…

• Coordinate the implementation of the present NAP with the 17 Goals of the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and engage for a stronger national adherence to human rights and sustainable development in its three dimension – economic, social and environmental – in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (especially SDG number 5,8,10,16,17);
• Encourage companies, also in view of the updating of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development, in line with the commitments undertaken with the Agenda 2030 and the role that the private sector will be called to play in its implementation, to voluntarily commit themselves at national, regional and international level to prevent and redress potential human rights adverse impacts; and to realize the goal of a decent work for all, as set out in SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth); and to enhance the use of indicators of quality, sustainable development, equality and gender.

…

III. Government Expectations Towards Business [page 9]

The Italian Government recognises the importance of supporting voluntary approaches of human rights respect and promotion by business as fundamental ways towards the growing of new corporate cultures and strategies inspired by social values and sustainable principles. This is particularly true with reference to Agenda 2030 and to the role that business is called to play in the SDGs implementation …

IV. Government Responses: Current Activities and Future Commitments

B. Operational Principles

General State Regulatory and Policy Functions

GP 3 (a)

Planned Measures [page 16]

…

• Ensuring the full implementation of Law 221/2015 on green economy, including in particular the elaboration of a ‘Green Act’, a reviewed ‘National Sustainable Development Strategy’, a ‘National Plan on Sustainable Consumption and Production’ and the establishment of a ‘Committee on Natural Capital’ to promote environmental sustainability and foster investments in the green economy; these measures will be developed taking into due consideration the development of the relevant European Union frameworks such as the Climate-energy Package 2030 and the Circular Economy Package as well as according to Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement

…

GP 3(c,d)

Planned Measures [page 19]

…

• Strengthen human rights protection and promotion of low-carbon, ecologically sound technologies through climate change international cooperation in line with the OECD Guidelines, the BHR Framework and the Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development;

…

Ensuring Policy Coherence

GP 9 & 10 [page 25]

Italy considers it a priority to promote implementation of existing international tools on human rights in the business sector, also in line with the 2030 Agenda, within multilateral institutions and with regard to the negotiation of international treaties and agreements. States and relevant actors should adopt policies and mobilise resources to advance equitable, human rights-based and sustainable development. Italy acknowledges the link between human rights, sustainable development, and fair business competition and is aware that the lack of respect for human rights is a potential factor of distortion on international markets …

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The Lithuanian NAP does not make an explicit reference to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Introduction (pg. 8)

…The Government, therefore, attaches particular importance to the implementation of the UN Agenda 2030 and, to that effect, presented a voluntary national report in July 2017 at the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which took place in New York. The role played by Luxembourg at COP21 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris in December 2015, its role as Chairperson-in-Office of the Council of Ministers of the European Union and through its high level participation in COP22 and 23 in Marrakesh and Bonn, documents the importance the government attaches to an effective fight against climate change in all aspects, including human rights. By reason, Luxembourg is a signatory of The Geneva Pledge on Human Rights in Climate Action…

… Given the important role that business is expected to play in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the Heads of State and Government in September 2015 at the UN in New York, as well as in the Implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the NAP is designed to complement the efforts of the Luxembourg Government to achieve the SDGs by providing businesses with the information and means to enable them to respect human rights internally and throughout their value chains… (pg. 9)

Part I – Rational Framework for the development, adoption and implementation of the NAP

1. International Context

1.2. European Union (pg. 13)

In its conclusions of 20 June 2016, the EU Council of Ministers emphasized “the important role that business should play in helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in implementing the Agenda 2030. The Council also notes that “respect for human rights in business and its consideration in business activities and value chains and supply chains are essential for sustainable development and the achievement of the SDGs”.

2. National Context

2.1. Constitution

…In addition, the notion of sustainable development is implicitly enshrined in Article 11bis of the Constitution. This is important because of the link that the United Nations and the European Union make between respect for human rights and sustainable development, as well as the role that business has to play in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

2.2. Governmental Program (pg. 16)

In the governmental program adopted in 2013, the Government of Luxembourg reaffirmed its commitment to the values of human rights and demonstrates its sense of responsibility in this area, particularly in its external action:

• “Our voice also bears the values we defend: … sustainable development… and climate change as well as unfailing commitment to respect human rights.”

2.3. Foreign Policy Statement to the Chamber of Deputies (pg. 17)

… In general, the mission of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs states that “Luxembourg diplomacy defends the which international relations evolve” values of … sustainable development, with a constant concern to preserve and strengthen the framework of international law in which international relations evolve.”

Part III – PAN

2. Context (pg. 27)

…In this spirit, the NAP is complementary to the strategies and policies in place in Luxembourg, such as the Luxembourg National Sustainable Development Plan, which calls for better coordination of planning and consultation processes between Ministries in order to achieve integration of economic, social and ecological interests by taking into account national and international contexts, frameworks and conventions, including human rights.

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The Dutch NAP does not make an explicit reference to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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The Norwegian NAP does not make an explicit reference to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Pillar II: The Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights

1. Implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (2030 Agenda) [page 29]

The concept of responsible development as the basis for the Responsible Development Plan and the Strategy for Responsible Development is consistent with the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals adopted in conjunction with the 2030 Agenda in September 2015. The Agenda highlights key global challenges, such as widespread poverty; growing inequalities; unemployment, especially among young people; health threats; natural disasters; conflicts; violence; huge disparities of opportunity, living standards, access to open and responsible public institutions; and threats related to climate change. At the same time, the 2030 Agenda includes a framework development plan, indicating 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets to stimulate development in the most important areas for people and the planet. The fundamental message is the pursuit of development that will guarantee a dignified life for everyone. The premise is that achieving the SDGs requires consistent actions and progress in three areas of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental. The 2030 Agenda recognises the responsibility of every country for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals at the national level, taking into account different national realities, capacities, and levels of development, as well as respecting national policies and priorities. The goals of the 2030 Agenda relate to all social, professional, organisational, business, scientific, local, regional, and national groups. The challenge is to ensure that every stakeholder has a proper role and an opportunity to be involved in the implementation process in a responsible manner. The process of changes in the economic sphere should be accompanied by active employment policies to facilitate a fair transition to creating decent and safe working conditions. The SDGs also have a clear business justification with real opportunities to take concrete action on both investments (including in important sectors, such as infrastructure, energy, and industrial production) and responsible business conduct, such as appropriate labour standards, respect for workers’ rights, efficient use of resources, as well as clean and environmentally friendly technologies and production processes. The key to success in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is their alignment with business strategies, through the promotion of a circular economy (environmentally friendly circulation of closed and sustainable value chains), promotion of integrated and long-term thinking, and stakeholder engagement. Attention should also be focused on the promotion of sustainable business models and the active involvement of SMEs that have limited business opportunities. The fulfilment of national priorities and strategic projects envisaged in the Strategy for Responsible Development will support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs

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The state’s expectations of business enterprises

The Government also supports voluntary measures to foster business culture and ethics based on the values of social responsibility and the principles of sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls on the business sector to voluntarily support sustainable development. (pg. 7)

Principle 1 – State’s duty to protect HR

In accordance with its international commitments and national legislation, Slovenia will strive for the effective implementation of policies and measures… promoting sustainable development. (pg. 9)

Principle 3d – Environment

In October 2015, the Slovenian Government adopted the Framework Programme for the Transition to a Green Economy, which sets out the groundwork for a faster and more focused transition to a green economy…including a flexible framework for upgrading and planning further activities in the dialogue with stakeholders. (pg. 20)

Principle 4 – Businesses receiving State support

These (OECD) recommendations are aimed at promoting policy coherence of OECD member countries for officially supported export credits relating to the environment, climate change, social and human rights, obligations to respect relevant international agreements and conventions and to contribute to sustainable development. (pg. 24)

The Slovene Export and Development Bank – SID Bank is based on the principle of balanced and sustainable development with respect to economic, environmental and social development. (pg. 24)

Principle 6 – Planned Measures

The Slovene export and development bank, SID Bank, will continue to observe the principles according to which it has operated, including the principle of balanced and sustainable development (economic, environmental and social development), and follow good practices in the implementation of these principles in comparable institutions in the EU. (pg. 28)

Principle 9 – Adequate Domestic Policy

The latest trade agreements contain sustainable development provisions, which require that the signatories respect workers’ rights by acceding to ILO conventions, to protect the environment. (pg. 30)

Principle 9 – Planned activities/orientations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia will continue to raise the awareness of the Slovenian business community, underlining the need to operate in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, also by organising targeted workshops. (pg. 31)

Principle 10 – Basic Orientations

Slovenia strives for the promotion of sustainable development, corporate social responsibility and respect for human rights. Slovenia supports the EU approach to environmental and social issues, and will continue to promote the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as major drivers of sustainable development. (pg. 32)

The promotion of sustainable development, particularly conservation and protection of biodiversity, the fight against climate change and respect for human rights are fundamental elements of the European Investment Bank’s lending policy. (pg. 33)

As an EIB shareholder, Slovenia will continue to support the key elements of its lending policy, which are aimed at ensuring sustainable development, including respect for human rights. (pg. 33)

Annex I – Human Rights Due Diligence in Practice

By joining some of the Slovenian initiatives and by acquiring certificates, enterprises can fully or partially comply with requirements concerning human rights. Some of the relevant certificates are: Family-friendly company, Socially responsible company, EFQM excellence model, Golden Thread, Most respectable employer, HORUS – Slovenian award for social responsibility, Leader in social responsibility and sustainable development; alongside other means in support of this field. (pg. 47)

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South Korea’s NAP makes no reference to sustainable development.

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II. Antecedents and Context [page 8]

Within the framework of the United Nations, it is necessary to mention the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development approved by Resolution 70/1 of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 25, 2015. This Resolution, of universal nature, marks the objectives of social, economic, and environmental nature in order to achieve 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) with its 169 associated targets by the year 2030. Specifically, its paragraph 67 includes an explicit mention, within the framework of the promotion of a dynamic and efficient business sector, to the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, a concept that is reinforced in the Resolution 70/224 of December 22, 2015 on global partnerships. On the other hand, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, approved by Resolution 69/313 of the UNGA on July 27, 2015, which is incorporated into the 2030 Agenda itself as means of implementation, also includes in its paragraph 37 mention of the Guiding Principles. The 2030 Agenda invites companies to align their corporate business strategy with the development goals to seek the added value these goals can bring in developing countries, therefore the SDGs are a perfect framework. Companies understand that, in parallel to obtaining benefits, they must respond to the demands of society and build trust as a development actor. Through the local networks of the Global Compact, a development agenda can be built in the business environment. From Spanish cooperation (SC), progress can be made in the mainstreaming of development objectives in business agendas to achieve impacts in sustainable development. On the other hand, the Madrid Declaration “The social economy, a business model for the future of Europe”, signed by representatives of 11 EU member States on May 23, 2017, reaffirms the commitment of the signatories to the SDGs.

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The three pillars of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights [page 6]

(…)The action plan is also an important part of the Government’s heightened ambitions for foreign trade, through the export strategy, CSR and other areas. It is an equally important part of the Government’s relaunch of its Policy for Global Development and its efforts to contribute to the new global sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Annex: Measures planned

The Government aims to raise its ambitions in foreign trade, including in CSR and implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. To achieve these aims, a number of concrete measures will be implemented by 2017.

The State as development partner [page 29]

The Government will integrate sustainability issues into trade policy and export promotion and in the context of the relaunch of the Policy for Global Development and its efforts to contribute to the new global sustainable development goals (SDGs).

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5. National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights

5.6. Relation to the Federal Council position paper on CSR [page 12]

The federal government’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is set out in the Federal Council’s CSR position paper on corporate social and environmental responsibility31. The CSR position paper addresses a very broad spectrum of issues of relevance to corporate social responsibility. These include working conditions (including health safeguards), human rights, the environment, preventing corruption, fair competition, consumer interests, tax and transparency. The present report and NAP in fulfillment of postulate 12.3503 and the CSR position paper on corporate responsibility are therefore complementary and of equal status.

5.7 Pillar 1: state duty to protect

5.7.2. Operation Principles: legislative and information policy measures

Guiding Principle 3 [page 20]

PI13 Corporate sustainability reporting

The Federal Council is closely monitoring developments with regard to the legally binding reporting of non-financial information in the EU. It is prepared to examine possible action, which would be as congruent as possible with international regulation, and intends to draw up a consultation draft on sustainability reporting that will be based on the EU instrument. Work will begin when more is known about the way in which EU Member States intend to implement the Directive. Swiss business enterprises are not obliged to report on sustainability issues. However, in line with the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were adopted by all UN Member States, and in particular to achieve SDG 12.6, companies are encouraged to introduce sustainable practices and to include sustainability information in their reporting. Accounting legislation requires all companies that are subject to an ordinary audit pursuant to Article 727 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) to include a general assessment of risk in their management report. This also includes human rights risks, where these are present. Listed companies are also obliged by Article 53 of the SIX Swiss Exchange Listing Rules to report on human rights matters where these might affect the company’s share price. The Federal Council recommends incorporating the human rights risks which business enterprises identify in their due diligence processes, for example, in their sustainability reports.

5.7.5 Policy coherence

Guiding Principle 8 [pages 28-29]

PI28 Coherence between the various policies, strategies and action plans

Economic, social, environmental, development and human rights policies are all interrelated elements of a policy to promote sustainable development. The Federal Council attaches great importance to coherence between these policies. The issue of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is dealt with in the position paper and action plan of the Federal Council on corporate responsibility for society and the environment. CSR and business and human rights are also mentioned in the goals of the 2030 Agenda, as well as in several federal government strategies. These include, for example, this present Action Plan, the Sustainable Development Strategy, the Dispatch on Switzerland’s International Cooperation, the Foreign Policy Report86, the Foreign Economic Policy Report, the FDFA Human Rights Strategy 2016-201988, the Swiss Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders89 and the National Action Plan to Fight Human Trafficking. Consistent policies on business and human rights are ensured by incorporating the UNGP into these strategies. The Federal Council incorporated the UNGP, as a key reference framework for State activities in the business and human rights sphere, into the Sustainable Development Strategy, which it endorsed as part of its legislative planning programme in early 2016. The Principles incorporated into the Strategy include recognition of the federal government’s duty to protect, as well as the responsibility of business enterprises to respect human rights.

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The UK 2013 NAP does not make an explicit reference to Sustainable Development Goals.

The UK 2016 Updated NAP states:

Introduction [page 2]

3. Since the publication of the UNGPs, in 2011, and the UK’s National Action Plan in 2013, there have been a number of developments at the international level. In particular:

The Global Goals for Sustainable Development, agreed by world leaders and launched at the UN in September 2015, contained commitments to:

– take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking (SDG 8.7)

– protect labour rights, promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment (SDG 8.8)

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The National Action Plan

Collaborating with Stakeholders

Outcome 2.1: Enhance the value of Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives on RBC

Ongoing commitments

Sustainable Development Goals [page 16]: The 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs or Global Goals) establish an ambitious framework to make progress on many of the fundamental social, economic, and environmental challenges facing the world over the next 15 years. The U.S. government encourages uptake and implementation of the SDGs and intends to facilitate dialogue among key actors to discuss best practices, public-private partnership opportunities, lessons learned, and action necessary to ensure the SDGs’ success. As part of this initiative, DOL has been actively engaged in the ILO-led Alliance 8.7, a coalition of business and other stakeholders committed to increasing action to achieve SDG Target 8.7 on the elimination of the worst forms of child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. Implementing department or agency: State, Treasury, USAID, DOL

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