Seminar & Events

International Symposium

Responsible Business, Responsible Supply Chain Contributing SDGs "How Should Japan Implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights? "

In 2011, states in the United Nations Human Rights Council, including Japan, unanimously endorsed a set of Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Since then, global efforts to implement the Guiding Principles have been accelerated by governments, business and civil society around the world. In 2015, countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals to seek to realize the human rights of all.

Effective management of human rights risks is now part of responsible business, both at home and abroad, especially in emerging markets and developing countries. Responsible business and investment contribute to resolve social issues in the countries as well as strengthen business competitiveness.

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights encompass trade, investment, finance, industrial policies and development assistance. Drafting NAP on the UN Guiding Principles was listed in the Japan's SDGs action plan released on 22 December 2016. How should Japan implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights?

In this symposium, we invite Ms. Anita Ramasastry, member of UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, as keynote speaker, to discuss to identify areas and challenges where accelerated action is needed by Japan as a whole and to understand how implementing UNGP contribute to attain SDGs. Following the symposiums we held in June 2016 and March 2017, we hope this symposium will create a forum for multi stakeholders, government, business and civil society to discuss Japan's NAP future.

We look forward to your participation in the symposium.

Date&time:

March 2, 2018 (Friday) 13:30-17:30 (Registration opens at 13:00)

Venue:

Japan External Trade Organization Headquarters 5F Exhibition Hall
Ark Mori Building, 5F 12-32, Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Program:

13:00 Registration
13:30-13:40 Opening Remarks
  • TBD(Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
13:40-14:05 Concept Introduction
  • Miwa Yamada(Director, Law and Institution Studies Group, IDE-JETRO)
14:05-14:55

Keynote Speech:

"UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and Practice: Global Trends and Expectation to Japan's NAP Process"

  • Anita Ramasastry (UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights)
14:55-15:35

Lecture 1:

Responsible Supply Chain and Migrant Workers: Gap and Challenges on the Ground

  • Andy Hall (Migrant Worker Rights Specialist)
15:35-15:55 Coffee Break
15:55-16:25

Lecture 2:

EU Trade Policy and Human Rights

  • Gabriele Lo Monaco (First Secretary, Trade Section, Delegation of the European Union to Japan)
16:25-17:25

Panel Discussion


Moderator:

Panelists:
  • Anita Ramasastry
  • Andy Hall
  • Gabriele Lo Monaco
  • Youzou Nakao (Talent Development Group, Global Human Resources Department, AJINOMOTO Co., Inc.)
  • Emi Onozuka(Vice President, Head of Stewardship Responsibility Group, Portfolio Management, Goldman Sachs Asset Management Co., Ltd.)
17:25-17:30 Closing Remarks
  • TBD (Executive Vice President, IDE-JETRO)

Languages:

Simultaneous interpretation in Japanese and English will be available

Organizers:

IDE-JETRO
Supported by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Nations Information Centre(Tentative)

Capacity:

250

Participation fee:

Free

Contact:
External Relations Division, Research Promotion Department, IDE-JETRO
E-mail: sympo-scE-mail