LocationsBusiness organizations in Mongolia show commitment to advancing human rights in partnership with UNDP
April 17, 2024
Ulaanbaatar, 17 April 2024 – The UN Development Programme’s Business and Human Rights (B+HR) Global Project supported by the Government of Japan, co-organized a forum on “The Responsible Business and Human Rights: Showcasing Commitments and Results by Private Sector” with the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), showcasing the outcomes of the B+HR Global Project. Diverse stakeholders, including representatives from government, business organizations, associations, chambers of commerce and industry, and academia, convened to discuss the project’s impact and future partnership opportunities.
In 2023, Mongolia became the fourth country in the Asia-Pacific region to adopt the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP), marking its commitment to implementing UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, promoting responsible business conduct, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The NAP plan outlines strategies to strengthen the legal framework, provide practical guidance through human rights due diligence tools, strengthen stakeholder capacities, and improve access to remedy mechanisms.
Participants at the forum shared best practices regarding the responsibilities of enterprises to respect, ensure, and protect human rights, as included in the NAP’s timeline for implementation from 2023 to 2027. Acknowledging the impact on global supply chains, business organizations committed to fulfilling their obligations. In addition, the B+HR Global Project provided a series of human rights due diligence training to 600 business organizations and conducted individual guidance sessions on rapid human rights risk assessment for 12 selected companies, thus advancing the NAP’s objectives.
“The private sector plays a vital role in advancing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. The Commission will actively engage in capacity-building initiatives with the private sector, fostering close collaboration to advance human rights" stated Ms. Sunjid Dugar, the Chief Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia, during her opening remarks.
In its commitment to promoting responsible business, the government of Japan has been actively promoting human rights standards in 15 countries worldwide through this project in partnership with UNDP over the past few years, with Mongolia standing as one of these countries.
His Excellency Mr. Igawahara Masaru, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Mongolia, lauded the collaborative efforts and stated “We aim to to deepen our collaboration with UNDP and other partners to further support Mongolia’s ongoing efforts to tackle development challenges”.
Ms. Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Mongolia, expressed her deepest gratitude to the Government of Japan for their significant support in advancing human rights within Mongolia’s private sector and encouraged partners to collaborate on ensuring that profit and prosperity are in harmony with respect for human rights in Mongolia.
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About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
For further inquiries:
Delgermaa Altangerel | Communications Analyst | UNDP in Mongolia | delgermaa.altangerel@undp.org
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