A/HRC/35/32 54. Industry organizations such as the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association 66 and the International Council on Mining and Metals 67 also actively promote implementation of the Guiding Principles within their respective sectors, and have developed a range of practical tools to support business enterprises in that regard — which also provide useful references for small and medium-sized enterprises. 55. Business initiatives and associations can take active leadership roles in conveying to their members that implementing the Guiding Principles is in their interest and can play prominent roles promoting human rights throughout the world, because of their reach and considerable size. Given that global reach, it is imperative that business initiatives and associates work with all stakeholders and human rights actors to help advance the implementation of the Guiding Principles. 56. Joining with other firms in non-supply chain relationships could also lead to greater respect by small and medium-sized enterprises for human rights. Those that are members of more business networks and associations perceive their social and environmental responsibilities as more important. 68 Networks can also help to engage enterprises holistically, with approaches tailored for specific sectors. F. Role of international organizations 57. The above-mentioned report of International Organization of Employers and ILO highlighted that small and medium-sized enterprises expected international organizations to: share information about challenges and best practices globally and regionally (79 per cent); promote business respect for human rights and, where requested, help States meet their duty to protect against human rights abuses by business enterprises (67 per cent); develop the capacity and raising the awareness of their member States (54 per cent); and provide opportunities to participate in the activities of international organizations (49 per cent). 58. However, the majority of tools aimed at supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and their responsible conduct currently do not incorporate the Guiding Principles. Thus, there is considerable scope for progress by addressing this gap. Below are some of the many tools that are designed to help such enterprises to implement policy frameworks, including how to assess strengths and weaknesses through policy design and implantation, and which should align with the Guiding Principles. 59. The OECD Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Policy Index,69 created in 2006 in partnership with the European Commission, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Training Foundation, was designed as a tool to assess the policy frameworks of small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging economies and monitor progress in policy implementation over time. It allows for comparison across countries and measures convergence towards good practices and relevant policy standards that support Governments in setting targets for policy development helping to identify strategic priorities for improving business environment. 70 Ensuring integration of the Guiding Principles and references to relevant tools for Governments and enterprises would help to strengthen policy coherence and reinforce efforts to promote implementation of the Guiding Principles. 60. The International Trade Centre’s (ITC) is the only multilateral agency fully dedicated to supporting the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises, with a particular geographical focus on doing so in the least developed countries. In order to achieve their mandate the ITC has developed a “Market Analysis Tools portal” which is 66 67 68 69 70 See www.ipieca.org/about-us/. See www.icmm.com/en-gb/about-us. See United Kingdom Department of Trade and Industry, Engaging SMEs in Community and Social Issues (London, 2002). Available from www.oecd.org/globalrelations/smallandmedium-sizedenterprisessmepolicyindex.htm. See www.oecd.org/globalrelations/smallandmedium-sizedenterprisessmepolicyindex.htm. 15