KATHMANDU, March 19: Stakeholders from the government, national human rights institutions, private sector, civil societies and human rights defenders on Tuesday convened a dialogue to discuss ways to accelerate the implementation of National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights in Nepal.
Key discussions focused on responsible business, ethical supply chains, corporate accountability, regulatory frameworks and government’s role in fostering human rights-aligned business practices. The event is seen as a significant step toward aligning business practices with human rights principles.
In her inaugural address, Vice President of National Business Initiatives (NBI) Sukuntala Hirachan emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing challenges and identifying opportunities for businesses to uphold human rights. “Today’s dialogue allowed us to reflect on challenges while exploring innovative solutions and best practices. Business success cannot be separated from its broader impact,” she said.
Speaking at the event, Attorney General Ramesh Badal said in this complex and interconnected world it is essential to recognize that the pursuit of business success cannot be separated from the broader social impact it has on individuals, communities and environment. “Protecting and upholding human rights is not solely the government’s responsibility; the private sector also plays an equally crucial role.”
A high-level panel on “From Policy to Practice: Overcoming Barriers to NAP Implementation” brought together government officials, officials from NHRIs, UN representatives, business leaders and civil society members. Discussions underscored the urgency of integrating human rights into business operations in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and highlighted the private sector’s critical role in promoting responsible business conduct.
Deputy Regional Director for UNDP Asia and Pacific Christopher Bahuet provided regional and global insights into how businesses can integrate human rights into their strategies while contributing to sustainable development, drawing from international best practices. He also highlighted a need of a multi-stakeholder engagement for effective implementation of the framework on business and human rights.
Ambasador of Switzerland to Nepal Danielle Meuwly and Ambassador and Head of Delegation of European Union Veronique Lorenzo also shared their perpectives on global standards, corporate responsibility and multilateral cooperation in advancing business and human rights.
Addressing the event, Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Sarat Singh Bhandari said a multi-stakeholder approach is essential for Nepal to fully integrate human rights into its business landscape. “Collaboration, accountability and strong commitments from both the public and private sectors will be key to aligning Nepal’s business pratices with global human rights standards,” he said.
Minister Bhandari also expressed commitment towards the implementation of the plan of action in collaboration and coordination with all concerned stakeholders from federal to local government levels.
In his concluding remarks, NBI President Kush Kumar Joshi said that the dialogue is an important step towards ensuring that Nepal’s business landscape aligns with the international human rights standards. “By embracing respect for human rights as a fundamental principle, we can create an environment where businesses thrive, communities prosper, and human rights are protected for all,” he said.
Joshi also committed to respecting human rights, promoting fair labor practices, protecting the environment, empowering marginalized groups, engaging stakeholders and maintaining transparency and accountability. Private sector has pledged to uphold the respect and remedy part of business and human rights into the practice.