Bangkok, Thailand, 5 August -  “The important role the private sector plays in building a new framework for accountability” was one of the key messages of Ms. Shamshad Akhtar, the United Nations Under-Secretary General during the regional consultation on accountability for the post-2015 development agenda.

Ms. Akhtar who is also the Executive Secretary for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)was addressing over 100 delegates gathered at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand to provide feedback, inputs and ideas to global and national development efforts.

UNESCAP, the regional development arm of the United Nations (UN) promotes regional cooperation and collective action among its Member States, including members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).  It pursues a development agenda that places people and planet at the center of efforts to build on inclusive, sustainable and resilient future.

The forum convened by UNESCAP enables the sharing of experiences and is part of a global dialogue offering the foundations that may set up regional accountability framework. Panelists and discussants providing a wide range of perspectives on the topic included, among others, the Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development for Central Asian Countries, the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat, the National Statistics Office of Thailand, Landesa Rural Development Institute of India, the Asia Pacific Forum on Women and the Asian Development Bank.

Representing the ASEAN Corporate Social Responsibility Network (ACN), a regional private sector grouping promoting CSR, was its Program Director, Mr. Jerry Bernas.  Mr. Bernas echoed the need for strengthened regional and sub-regional coordination that allows for greater support of accountability mechanisms.

UNESCAP currently identifies the Asia-Pacific as a region that is experiencing the fastest economic growth in history.  However, gains from the current growth have not been evenly distributed with the tandem environmental and social externalities growing.  On the other hand, poverty reduction and decent job creation are not possible without economic growth.

Mr. Bernas said, “The greatest impact businesses can make as part of their business strategy and operations are paying correct wages, ensuring social and environmental safeguards, and respecting human rights”.

Currently voluntary codes of conduct exist for businesses, raising the issue of accountability on the global agenda.  The circumstance is an opportunity for necessary transition from “business as usual” to an ethical one, when Mr. Bernas implored that, “in engaging the private sector, the conversation should change from merely looking companies as a source of funding to demanding companies be more responsible in their core operations”.

In a separate session on “innovations and partnerships for the future we want, and the role of the private sector”, representatives from the business community and philanthropic organizations shared their views on how private sector can contribute more and best use its resources, weighing in on the post-2015 development agenda.

A Chair’s summary of the Regional Consultation on Accountability for the Post-2015 Agenda will inform a Synthesis Report by the UN Secretary-General that would launch the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda.  It will address governance gaps that provide permissive environment for wrongful acts in relation to human rights.

ASEAN has adopted the Roadmap for ASEAN Community 2009 – 2015 that contains plans for an ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community with one of its objectives to ensure that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is incorporated in the corporate agenda, contributing towards sustainable development in ASEAN Member States.  The ACN promotes for acceptance of the international norms of CSR behavior.

If you need more information on the output of the meeting please contact the ESCAP Secretariat.