Jakarta, 1 Aug 2022 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan have launched a new initiative to encourage companies in Indonesia build responsible supply chains. The collaboration is part of UNDP’s global program where the U.N. Agency promotes responsible business by strengthening human rights standards across 17 countries.

The initiative was announced on Monday just two weeks after UNDP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sustainability practices with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN). Today’s move indicates a growing awareness among companies in Indonesia to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The partnership taps into the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and HUman Rights. The guidelines call on governments and companies to prevent abuses including forced labor, land grabbing and discrimination, particularly against women who make up the bulk of Indonesia’s thriving micro, small and medium enterprises.

The new initiative will complement UNDP Indonesia’s ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights to formulate the National Strategy on Business and Human Rights and to support the Subnational Task Force on Business and Human Rights.

“Business and Human Rights is becoming the license to operate for the private sector. It empowers the businesses to play critical role in promoting sustainable development, which in turn creates stable business environment that they could continue to operate in,” UNDP Indonesia Resident Representative, Mr. Norimasa Shimomura said in his opening remarks.

“As a result, many companies worldwide have shifted their traditional philanthropy-focused CSR towards a more sustained model of responsible business practices which integrate human rights standards,” added Mr. Shimomura.

Deputy Chief Mission of the Embassy of Japan in Indonesia, Mr. Tamura Masami said his country formulated the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights in October 2020 to ensure the ‘steady implementation’ of the UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

“Japan's National Action Plan includes various policies that the government will work on based on the UN’s Guiding Principles and expresses expectations for the promotion of the introduction of human rights due diligence in corporate activities,” added Mr. Masami.

Japan was the second country in the Asia-Pacific region to have formulated the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, after Thailand.  

Under the global programme, UNDP collaborates with governments, businesses, and civil society organizations, with support from the EU, Japan, and Sweden among others. The program also advises companies on performing Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) and promotes access to remedies for survivors of  business-related human rights abuse.

MEDIA CONTACTS

UNDP Indonesia Communication Specialist Tomi Soetjipto, suryo.tomi@undp.org
UNDP Indonesia Business and Human Rights Specialist, Sagita Adesywi,  sagita.adesywi@undp.org
UNDP Project Liaison Officer, Business and Human Rights Akiko Sato,  akiko.sato@undp.org