Economic growth driven by infrastructure, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and cross-border investment continues to create important opportunities for Lao PDR. At the same time, these developments can also raise complex challenges related to land, labour rights, environmental impacts, community engagement, and access to remedy. In this context, strengthening credible national research and policy dialogue on BHR is increasingly important to support sustainable and inclusive development. 

The first two days of the programme focused on strengthening the capacity of researchers and academics to design and undertake a national baseline assessment on BHR. Through practical case discussions and collaborative group work, participants developed initial approaches to assessing laws, policies, institutions, and business practices, while collectively outlining the potential structure and scope of a Lao PDR BHR baseline. 

Miss Douagmala, Programme Coordinator, Gender Development Association, shared: “This training has helped me better understand the importance of research and multi-sectoral collaboration in advancing business and human rights, particularly in addressing the impacts of business activities, strengthening accountability, and promoting equal treatment.”  

Miss Khamphamee, Researcher, National Agriculture and Forestry Institute, Shared “This two-day workshop has given me a better understanding of how research and baseline assessments on businesses should focus on specific issues, explore intersectionality, and identify ways to address business-related impacts and potential solutions.” 

Building on the research-focused foundation, the final day convened government representatives for a dedicated policy workshop on integrating BHR into national governance and development frameworks. The workshop focused on linking international human rights recommendations to national policy processes and identifying practical entry points to strengthen BHR governance in Lao PDR.  

Participants discussed priority issues including land, labour, environmental impacts, and access to remedy, and explored regional experiences such as National Action Plans on BHR. The workshop also provided a platform for inter-ministerial dialogue on next steps toward a more coherent and coordinated national approach. 

Together, the three-day programme strengthened capacity across both research and policy communities, helping ensure that future policy development on BHR in Lao PDR is grounded in the international human rights framework, including the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), supported by credible, locally relevant evidence and aligned with national development priorities. 

BHR is an important pillar of UNDP’s governance and rule of law work in Lao PDR and part of its broader private sector engagement portfolio. Through partnerships with government, civil society, academia, private sector and development partners, UNDP advances evidence-based policymaking, responsible business conduct and stronger institutional capacity to support sustainable and inclusive development. This contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). 

The UN Human Rights Office is mandated to lead the business and human rights agenda within the UN system, and to develop guidance and training relating to the UNGPs in collaboration with the Working Group on Business and Human Rights. The Regional Office for South-East Asia supports governments, national human rights institutions, civil society, and the private sector in implementing the UNGPs, while promoting the broader human rights normative framework to ensure that economic activity does not undermine fundamental human rights. 

Speaking at the event, Martine Thérer, Resident Representative of UNDP Lao PDR, noted: 

“Strong policies and responsible business practices cannot be built on assumptions - they must be grounded in credible, locally driven evidence. Strengthening national research and policy capacity is essential to ensuring that economic growth contributes to sustainable, inclusive, and rights-based development.” 

“With the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, we have a clear and widely endorsed framework that sets out the duties of States and responsibilities of business enterprises,” said Laura Macini, Human Rights Officer at the UN Human Rights Office. “The focus is now on translating these principles into practice in national contexts." 

UNDP and the UN Human Rights Office remain committed to supporting the Government of Lao PDR and national stakeholders in advancing responsible business practices by strengthening research, fostering inclusive policy dialogue, and aligning with international standards.