VCCI Vice Chairman Nguyen Quang Vinh speaks at the forum. (Photo: VNA) “Children are both the present and the future, andbusiness practices cannot be sustainable if they do not account for theirimpact on children”, said Rana Flowers, Representative of UNICEF in Vietnam.
“It requires children to be a key consideration inEnvironmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) assessments – where impacts andrisks are assessed objectively, and key practices identified that can minimisethose risks and create a positive impact for children. It will improvecompetitiveness and sustainability, it will win the support of stakeholders,especially investors, who are socially conscious and looking at ESG risks andhow businesses are managing them”.
Vietnam is increasingly involved in the global supplychain and more rigorously integrated into the global economy. The country hassigned over 15 trade agreements and has reaffirmed its commitment to respectinginternational fundamental principles and rights in the workplace.
Vietnam is in the process of developing a NationalAction Plan (NAP) to improve laws and policies to advance responsible businesspractices for the period of 2023-2027. The draft NAP adopts the United NationsGuiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), ensuring that allbusiness practices, that ESG requirements are underpinned by clear human rightscommitments.
At the forum, participants agreed that greaterattention and distinctive measures should be included in the NAP to ensure theprevention and mitigation of adverse impacts and accelerating outcomes forchildren in health, nutrition, education, and water, sanitation and hygiene.
"The Child Rights and Business Forum is acritical event that aims to promote responsible business practices and supportsthe rights and well-being of children in Vietnam," said VCCI Vice Chairman NguyenQuang Vinh.
"Prioritising the practice of ESG not only helpsdomestic businesses meet international standards, but also equips them with theability to enter the global market. This, in turn, promotes responsiblebusiness operations and creates a more sustainable future for everyone.”
Bringing together representatives from over 100businesses, government, social organisations, and academia, the forum provideda platform to exchange knowledge, experiences and best practices on integratingchild rights into business’s operations, and supply chains, adopt policies,assessments and practices that uphold child rights; and to identify challengesand opportunities for businesses to implement child rights practices.
Participants also had opportunities to dialogue withchildren and youth to listen and to understand their needs.
This forum was held toward World Day Against ChildLabour (June 12), with a highlight of the business’ major roles in ending childlabour, which is integral to the Children's Rights and Business Principles(CRBP).
It took place one week prior to the 5th UN ResponsibleBusiness and Human Rights (RBHR) Asia Pacific Forum./.
VNA
