Asean CSR

Session 7: Realising the UNGPs through the ASEAN Regional Strategy on CSR and Human Rights                                                

Session 3: The State Duty to Protect: Opportunities and challenges in developing National Action Plans - The ASEAN Experience

• ASEAN governments - led by their respective National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) - are increasingly concerned about business and human rights issues, because of the rise in the number of human rights complaints received related to business activity. In Thailand for example, the 3^rd highest number of human rights complaints received by the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) is against the private sector.
• Currently, there is momentum for National Action Plans (NAPs) from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and most recently Thailand. For a few countries, including Thailand, NAPs came up as a recommendation from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. It was stressed that this link is crucial.
• If ASEAN wants to attract FDI and economic activity, it must take BHR issues seriously. Business activity cannot go unmonitored and unbridled without negative long term consequences which are difficult, if not impossible, to undo.

Session 2: Update on ASEAN progress and challenges in implementing the UNGPs

In ASEAN, although there are many priorities that remain before the protection of human rights is accomplished, it does not mean we can wait until the perfect condition is provided. Therefore, we need to organize the marriage between business, governments and civil society.

Session 1: Update on global progress and challenges - Implementing the UNGPs

Since the launch of UN Guiding Principles (UNGP) 6 years ago, there has been global momentum to implement the UNGPs at National Levels. In particular, there has been commitment in Western European, Mexico, Chile, Japan and Korea.