A/HRC/35/32 programme 79 provides global technical assistance to help such enterprises develop and create decent work. The overall objective of the programme is to assist them in becoming more sustainable by being cleaner, more productive and competitive, and by providing more sustainable and decent work. Through the ILO programme, enterprises are expected to: improve worksite management and reduce unnecessary work by implementing “5S” organization systems in order to: (a) improve quality and productivity; (b) improve human resource management abilities and create a better communication environment for both management and workers; (c) boost corporate responsibility through environment management and cleaner production so as to achieve higher economic returns; (d) improve occupational health and safety management; and (e) create a better work environment. 80 65. The above-mentioned report of the International Organization of Employers and ILO highlighted the limitations of external advice and guidance for small and mediumsized enterprises. For example, it found that participants in the above-mentioned ILO programme reported that any offering aimed at smaller enterprises should be made available in small, easily digestible doses and be highly relevant and applicable to business needs.81 That conclusion was reached as the survey found that most small and mediumsized enterprises only had the managerial capacity to comply with the day-to-day running of the business, and little time was available for business development or off-site capacitybuilding training events. It also found that they tended to underestimate the benefits of external advice because they were not regularly exposed to international best practices, even when that advice would increase productivity and improve their human rights standards and practices. Furthermore, it found that capacity-building programmes should explain in clear and practical language what they offered and the benefits that small and medium-sized enterprises could derive from their services. Testimonials from fellow chief executives and managers were considered best at convincing enterprises that it was worth investing their time and resources in a training programme. 66. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by the General Assembly in September 2015, foresee a significant role for business enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises. In its resolution 70/1, the General Assembly called upon all businesses to apply their creativity and innovation to solving sustainable development challenges, while acknowledging the diversity of the private sector, ranging from micro-enterprises to cooperatives to multinationals. In the resolution, States committed to fostering a dynamic and well-functioning business sector, while protecting labour rights and environmental and health standards in accordance with relevant international standards and agreements and other ongoing initiatives in this regard, such as the Guiding Principles. United Nations programmes and agencies can play an important role in translating human rights into practical guidance that can be used by small and medium-sized enterprises. For example, guidance material for the implementation of Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals, on gender equality, should assist those enterprises that are looking to improve gender equality within its workplace. III. Conclusions and recommendations A. Conclusions 67. While implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by small and medium-sized enterprises has been lagging, and these enterprises have been largely absent from discussions at the international level about advancing implementation of the Guiding Principles, the present report shows that relatively modest actions by a range of actors could go a long way in beginning to address that gap. Adjustments in the communications by key interlocutors — such as government 79 80 81 See www.ilo.org/empent/Projects/score/lang--en/index.htm. See www.ilo.org/jakarta/whatwedo/projects/WCMS_160240/lang--en/index.htm. See www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_emp/---emp_ent/--ifp_seed/documents/publication/wcms_535220.pdf. 17