JSB - Business and Human Rights | United Nations Development Programme

B+HR Global project on Promoting Responsible Business Conduct for Japanese companies and supply chain

Background and Development Challenges

Business and Human Rights project (B+HR) Global Project is a regional program implementing in 17 countries aimed at promoting and strengthening capacity of Japanese businesses and their suppliers and partners to adopt Business and Human Rights Policies and carry out human rights due diligence (HRDD) with a view to enhancing a better management of reputational and operational risks of Japanese companies operating directly in Thailand or through suppliers. The program is supported by the Government of Japan.

Achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the 2030 Agenda, meeting the targets set by the Paris Agreement, and ensuring a “just recovery” from Covid-19 that does not harm human rights will require concerted and urgent action from member states and businesses.

To further responsible business practices, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) require businesses to carry out Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD): to identify, prevent and mitigate adverse impacts on people and the environment, thereby helping them manage potential and actual risks. This obligation has been made mandatory by law in leading economies, including Germany, France, Australia, and Norway, and looks set to be adopted by the EU.

Therefore, Japanese and other businesses have a strong incentive to undertake HRDD; namely, should they fail to do so, they may be unable to access EU and other major markets while facing reputational and legal risk. Conversely, should they succeed, they (and their suppliers) can prompt countries where they operate to adopt laws leading to a “level playing field” that will reward responsible businesses. This logic underpins our B+HR Global project.

Objectives

UNDP Thailand through the Business and Human Rights (B+HR) project aims to strengthen capacity of Japanese businesses and their suppliers and partners to adopt Business and Human Rights Policies and carry out HRDD with a view to enhancing a better management of reputational and operational risks of Japanese companies operating directly in Thailand or through suppliers.

Poverty and Inequality

Key Achievements

Between 2022 and 2024, UNDP delivered a comprehensive series of Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) trainings at both national and sub-national levels, reaching a total of 158 participants from 113 organizations—including 61 Japanese companies and their suppliers or partners. Pre- and post-training surveys indicated a strong impact, with participants’ knowledge and understanding of human rights increasing by an average of 25%. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with an average satisfaction score of 8.91 out of 10.

To complement the trainings, UNDP also provided targeted, one-on-one guidance sessions to support businesses in applying HRDD principles within their operations and value chains. A total of 27 companies were selected to receive this tailored support, demonstrating their commitment to integrating human rights into business practices.

Beyond national impact, the JSB Business and Human Rights (BHR) Project also contributed to advancing South-South Cooperation. In September 2023, key insights and lessons from Thailand’s experience were shared at the Regional Human Rights Due Diligence Training for Companies Operating in Southeast Asia, held in Bali, Indonesia. During this event, the project led a country session, presenting Thailand’s business and human rights risk landscape and highlighting the country’s evolving policy environment and progress in promoting responsible business conduct.

In addition, the Project supported the coordination of government-to-government learning sessions. This included the learning session on business and human rights between Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and Thailand’s Ministry of Justice in March 2024. The two parties had a fruitful discussion on progress and challenges on advocating business and human rights agenda in different sectors. Part of the discussion also focused on the countries’ experience on the implementation of the NAP on business and human rights, including monitoring mechanisms and development complementary measures to enhance the NAP implementation.