LocationsJapan and UNDP launched two joint projects in Kazakhstan to promote corporate Human Rights Due Diligence and tackle climate change
September 9, 2022
9 September 2022, Nur-Sultan – Today Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan have launched two partnership initiatives. The projects aim to promote corporate Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) and responsible business conduct and introduce climate-smart Agri-technologies.
"Japan has been providing aid and assistance to countries around the world for many years. We are very pleased that these projects will reduce the damage caused by corporate human rights violations and contribute to decarbonization. We would like to further deepen our cooperation with UNDP and the Republic of Kazakhstan to ensure the smooth implementation and success of these projects."H.E. Jun Yamada, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Kazakhstan
The first initiative – Business and Human Rights project - aims to strengthen the understanding and capacity of national governments, Japanese businesses, their suppliers, and partners to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
Kazakhstan is one of the 17 countries prioritized by the Government of Japan for this global project to advance responsible business practices in Japanese companies and their supply chains in Kazakhstan. The project, worth $300,000, will focus on promoting Human Rights Due Diligence, a core element of UNGPs, through trainings and guidance sessions for Japanese companies and their supply chains.
Along with this global initiative, Japan becomes newest and the largest partner to UNDP’s next phase of the Climate Promise: from Pledge to Impact and provides climate funds for Kazakhstan on delivering the national climate pledge. The new project on climate-smart Agri-technologies, worth US$974,408, will help improve the existing KazHydroMet surveillance system, both in digital formats and through the installation of new modern equipment. It also aims to support farmers in the regions of Kazakhstan. Renewable energy solutions (wind and solar) will be piloted with digital monitoring process in different types of agriculture production.
“We greatly value our long-standing cooperation with the Government of Japan and its generous support to launch our work on business and human rights in Kazakhstan and help the country deliver on its international climate pledges. UNDP’s work and the priorities of the Japanese government converge in many areas in helping countries address development challenges that are compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, including rule of law and climate change agenda”Sukhrob Khojimatov, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Kazakhstan
