Islamabad, June 17, 2022 (PPI-OT):As part of a global partnership with the Government of Japan in 17 countries, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched 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).
The launch event was attended by the Embassy and Consulate-General of Japan, UNDP, Japanese corporations operating in Pakistan, the Pakistan Japan Business Forum, civil society, and academia. The participants shared their views on the current challenges and opportunities in accelerating B+HR in Pakistan, with a shared vision that the integration of human rights principles in business practices would promote not only the rights of the workers, but also increase business opportunities for the corporations.
The project will facilitate the implementation of Pakistan’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP), in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), by strengthening linkages between the federal and provincial levels of governments in the implementation processes and supporting the Japanese companies in Pakistan to ensure the principles of human rights be integrated in their supply chains and operations.
UNDP Pakistan’s Assistant Resident Representative Mr. Rana Kaiser Ishaque thanked the Government of Japan for its support in strengthening human rights protections across business activity in Pakistan and through this partnership, UNDP aims to raise awareness about the importance of corporate HRDD.
Mr. Tadayoshi Hiraki, Commercial Attaché at the Embassy of Japan, said this project would provide an opportunity for Japanese companies to mainstream the human rights-based approach, thereby enhancing their corporate social responsibility and attracting further investment.
Government of Japan in partnership of UNDP has extensively supported Pakistan in achieving sustainable development, placing human rights as its foundation. The B+HR project adds to Japan and UNDP’s collaborative support to the country, building upon the recent experiences including promoting rule of law, strengthening inclusive political participation, building disaster resilience, and creating livelihoods and social cohesion in Pakistan.
For more information, contact:
Embassy of Japan in Pakistan
53-70, Ramna 5/4, Diplomatic Enclave 1,
Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9072500
Fax: +92-51-9072352
Email: culture@ib.mofa.go.jp
Website: http://www.pk.emb-japan.go.jp