A/HRC/26/20
22.
The Global Compact, which is the main platform of the United Nations for engaging
the business sector, has undertaken significant capacity-building activities through
webinars, outreach with local networks and the creation of tools. In 2013, the Global
Compact, in collaboration with OHCHR, revised their joint business learning tool on
human rights to align it with the Guiding Principles. The Global Compact has continued to
expand and build on its Human Rights and Business Dilemmas Forum, which is designed
to stimulate discussion about how to manage challenging human issues to respect and
support human rights.9 In collaboration with other agencies, it has also continued to put
together guidance for business enterprises on specific aspects of human rights, including
human rights of women, children, and indigenous peoples.
23.
The Global Compact local networks provide a platform for direct engagement with
the business sector. Through the local networks, the Global Compact has supported the
capacity-building of local business enterprises and other stakeholders.
24.
Other United Nations entities are also undertaking significant capacity-building
efforts related to their specific mandates. The United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) Finance Initiative provides guidance to business enterprises in the financial sector
on their social and environmental responsibilities, including on human rights. The
Principles for Responsible Investment also provides a platform for building the capacity of
business enterprises in the financial sector.
25.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has developed tools and worked on
capacity-building for States and business enterprises in the area of respecting and
supporting children’s rights. In 2013, UNICEF piloted a project with 45 companies and 22
consultancies to review and begin implementing the Children’s Rights and Business
Principles, which in important respects are aligned with the Guiding Principles; it also held
workshops on children’s rights and business with more than 50 transnational enterprises
and 30 international consultancies. UNICEF has also worked to build capacity internally,
having trained more than 300 staff members globally in corporate social responsibility. The
designated Corporate Social Responsibility Unit works to raise the profile of children’s
rights and business at headquarters level and to support national committees and county
offices in related activities and engagements.
26.
However, despite these and other significant activities to build capacity within and
outside the United Nations system, it is clear that the scale of the efforts made and
resources available are still insufficient to meet the challenge of implementing the Guiding
Principles globally. To that end, the possibility of establishing a global fund for enhancing
the capacity of stakeholders to implement the Guiding Principles is discussed below.
VI. Integrating the Guiding Principles: specific areas of work
within the United Nations
A.
Human rights system
27.
OHCHR can play a central role in the implementation of the business and human
rights agenda and taking appropriate action to support the embedding and integration of the
Guiding Principles into relevant focus areas of the United Nations system coordinating
mechanisms (A/HRC/21/21 and Corr.1, para. 31). OHCHR also has a key role in promoting
a coherent and consistent understanding of the Guiding Principles through its engagement
9
For more information on the forum, see http://human-rights.unglobalcompact.org/.
7
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