Welcome to the United Nations 
OHCHR 
Joint Project on Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean
OHCHR and business and human rights
Background
The expectation that goods and services be produced and supplied in a responsible manner—in compliance with international standards that guarantee the respect for human rights, decent work and environmental protection—has significantly grown. At the same time, since the unanimous endorsement of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by the Human Rights Council in 2011, international standards on responsible business conduct (RBC) have evolved to greater convergence, including in respecting human rights. Governments, business and civil society in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries are also showing an increased interest in promoting responsible business conduct.
The project “Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean”, implemented together with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), aims to promote responsible business conduct practices in line with international standards. The project is funded by the European Union.
Watch the video and find more information about the project below:
- Joint public statement on COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean
- Leaflet
- Brochure of Alignment among RBC–related International Standards
- project web pages of the ILO and OECD
Contact: rbclac@ohchr.org
Project objectives
OHCHR activities around this project focus on promoting and supporting the effective implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Scope and activities
The activities of OHCHR are regional and country-specific. Country-specific activities are planned in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama and Peru.
Activities implemented by OHCHR regional offices for South America (in Chile) and for Central America (in Panama), as well as OHCHR county offices in Colombia and Mexico, have support from OHCHR Geneva. Activities also involve the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, and support its mandate to promote the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Activities are designed and implemented in collaboration with stakeholders, building on existing processes and opportunities around the three components of the Project.
A. Regarding component I - supporting the development and/or implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) on Business and Human Rights, the activities are aimed at:
- Promote inclusive multi-stakeholder processes for the development, implementation and evaluation of NAPs.
- Promote the alignment of policies/norms related to business and human rights with international standards.
- Support the strengthening of access to effective remedy
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Business/Pages/NationalActionPlans.aspx
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Business/Pages/OHCHRaccountabilityandremedyproject.aspx
B. Regarding component II - supporting human rights due diligence, activities are aimed at:
- Facilitate peer-to-peer dialogue/learning among business, civil society, affected communities (indigenous and non-indigenous) and business associations, among other actors
- Develop human rights due diligence materials/tools
- Enhance collaboration with local experts institutions on HRD (ToT).
https://www.ohchr.org/SP/Issues/Business/Forum/Pages/CorporateHRDueDiligence.aspx
C. Regarding Component III – Support regional platform o RBC practices, the regional multi-stakeholder consultation is aimed at:
- Promote peer learning and sharing of experience among relevant actors
- Tack stock and incentivize progress among countries and business of the region
- Promote the participation and collaboration among key actors
Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights for Latin America and the Caribbean
The Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights for Latin America and the Caribbean has become a key gathering on business and human rights, and one of the most important human rights meetings in the Americas. The Forum provides a unique space for dialogue between governments, business, civil society, affected groups, workers organizations and international organizations on trends, challenges and good practices in preventing and addressing business-related human rights impacts. This event allows to take stock of the implementation by States and business enterprises in the region, of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), and international standards, such as OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration), and incentivizes initiatives for their further implementation.
The Fifth Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights for Latin America and the Caribbean – “Realising responsible business conduct in difficult times: Turning challenges into opportunities” was held virtually on 7-11 September 2020.
It included for the first time “snapshots sessions”, where selected participants shared their projects and initiatives with the wider forum’s audience through video presentations or live.
- Concept note [English | Español]
- Registration
- Report of the IV Regional Consultation on Business and Human Rights, of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights
The Fourth Regional Consultation on Business and Human Rights – “Looking ahead: Actions to Foster Responsible Business Conduct” took place on 3-4 September 2019 in Santiago de Chile. The event was organized by the Office for South America of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, with the support of the ILO and the OECD within the framework of a project financed by the European Union on "Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean".
Concept note (English | Español)
Registration form (English | Español)
Pictures and video