New Delhi, 23 August 2024— The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Government of Japan, launched a new Business and Human Rights (B+HR) project in India, as part of a global initiative spanning six countries. The B+HR project aims to promote responsible business practices, focusing on integrating Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) tools and processes into corporate operations and supply chains in India and globally. The project underscores the private sector’s key strategic role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular Gender Equality and Empowerment (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, was attended by representatives from the Embassy of Japan in India, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Japanese External Trade Organization, Japanese and Indian corporations, civil society, development partners, and other UN agencies. The participants discussed the importance of aligning business practices with human rights to contribute to a rights-enabling economy. 

 The B+HR Global project will support the private sector in India to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. As part of the project, the B+HR Academy will guide Japanese and Indian companies, and their supply chains, to integrate a human rights-based perspective into their operations.  

“Businesses, irrespective of their size, sector, or structure, can significantly impact the achievement of many SDG targets,” said Ms. Isabelle Tschan, Deputy Resident Representative and Officer-in-Charge, UNDP India. Highlighting UNDP’s efforts to build multi-stakeholder capacity globally, Ms. Tschan emphasized, “UNDP’S B+HR project, supported by the Government of Japan, has globally engaged with over 13,800 stakeholders, contributed towards policy progress in 13 countries, and trained 1700+ companies on human rights due diligence tools.” 

“Japanese companies, even as they continue to expand globally, are committed to responsible business practices. I am happy to see that this project, which is aimed at helping governments in various countries develop a humane business environment, will now be implemented in India,” said Mr. Takashi Ariyoshi, Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in India. 

This global initiative will strengthen the longstanding partnership between Japan and UNDP, advancing efforts to promote human rights and sustainable development in India and creating a business environment where respect for human rights would be fundamental. 

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Nusrat Khan, Business and Human Rights Specialist, UNDP India, nusrat.khan@undp.org 

Akiko Sato, UNDP Project Liaison Officer, Business and Human Rights, akiko.sato@undp.org