Kyiv, 6 October 2023 – Why should the corporate sector adhere to human rights principles and which tools can companies use to mainstream responsible business conduct? These were the topics discussed by participants at a business lunch initiated by the civil society organization CSR Centre Ukraine and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan. The event engaged over 15 Ukrainian companies working in various sectors of the economy, including information technology, banking, consulting, pharmaceutics and energy. 

Welcoming the participants, Ms Olena Ursu, UNDP Ukraine Democratic Governance Team Leader, underscored the critical importance of responsible business conduct for sustainable recovery of the economy in the context of war. "Businesses standing strong during the war highlight why sticking to human rights values and practices is so crucial. This commitment is vital not only to protect and support employees and communities during tough times, but also to maintain trust with customers and partners, and ensure the continuity of business operations,” she said. “By utilizing widely accepted guides and tools, such as the United Nations Guidelines on Business and Human Rights, businesses can effectively navigate the crisis, thereby ensuring they act responsibly and contribute to a fair and sustainable rebuilding of the community and country. This approach allows them to maintain their operations in a steady and reliable manner." 

Ms Maryna Kupchuk, Deputy Head of the International Investment Cooperation Division of the Investments Department at the Ministry of Economy, and the Secretariat of the National Contact Point of the OECD in Ukraine, stressed that today, the issue of responsible business conduct – including respect for and attention to human rights – has taken on new meaning and urgency in the context of rebuilding and reconstructing the new Ukraine. “Adhering to the standards of responsible business conduct and integrating them into national policies and corporate activities are integral to this reconstruction effort. This is one of the key priorities of the government, which has plans for collaboration in upcoming years, including with the National Contact Point of the OECD. The collaboration between the government, businesses, and the public is a key condition for success in achieving our objectives and ensuring that Ukraine's reconstruction aligns with international principles and standards."

During the event, human rights experts also shared practical tools designed for companies that aim to integrate human rights principles into their operations. 

Maryna Saprykina, CEO of the CSR Centre Ukraine, stressed that the topic of 'Business and Human Rights' is of significant importance, but is frequently overlooked by businesses in Ukraine. “Entities such as the EU and the OECD are actively striving to ensure that businesses integrate this topic into their daily operations through new legislation. Moreover, additional motivation for companies may arise from Ukraine's recovery principles, which are based on sustainable development and the growing interest of investors in environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and human rights. Consequently, our event is intended to put a spotlight on this crucial issue, encouraging businesses to address it promptly rather than postponing action to a later date," she added.

In addition, the event also provided a platform for the exchange of best practices and insights on integrating human rights principles into corporate activities. The participating companies, representing a diverse range of sectors, shared their experience, challenges and insights related to integrating human rights principles into their operations. 

Earlier this year, 35 representatives of business participated in a Business and Human Rights Academy, where they studied international business standards and human rights due diligence in the context of the war, and learned to integrate human rights due diligence procedures into their business activities. 

Background information: 

This event was organized with the support of the UNDP global project “Human Rights Due Diligence in Global Supply Chains: Leveraging the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights for a Just Recovery” funded by the Government of Japan.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, Communications Team Leader, UNDP in Ukraine; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org