UNDP and Japan Launch Business and Human Rights Project in India

31 Aug, 2024

UNDP and Japan Launch Business and Human Rights Project in India

UNDP and the Government of Japan have launched a new Business and Human Rights (B+HR) project in India as part of a global initiative covering six countries. The B+HR project is designed to foster responsible business practices by integrating Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) tools and processes into corporate operations and supply chains. The project supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10).

The launch event, held at the UN House in New Delhi, saw participation from the Japanese Embassy in India, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Japanese External Trade Organization, as well as Indian and Japanese corporations, civil society groups, development partners, and UN agencies. Discussions centered on aligning business practices with human rights to foster a rights-enabling economy.

The B+HR Global project will aid the private sector in India in implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The B+HR Academy will assist Japanese and Indian companies and their supply chains in incorporating a human rights-based approach into their operations.

Isabelle Tschan, UNDP India’s Deputy Resident Representative, emphasized the project's global impact, noting engagement with over 13,800 stakeholders and training for more than 1,700 companies. Takashi Ariyoshi from the Japanese Embassy expressed enthusiasm for the project’s implementation in India, reinforcing the partnership between Japan and UNDP in promoting human rights and sustainable development.