The event was co-organized by the Ministry of Justice, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Swedish Embassy in Vietnam.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Justice Phan Chi Hieu stated the key to balancing Vietnam's economic growth with sustainable development is promoting RBP.

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At the event (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

The official said that his ministry has so far identified three orientations for the project’s contents, which are completing laws and policies on RBP; boosting effectiveness and quality of related law and policy enforcement; and raising awareness and capacity on the matter for state agencies, businesses, and the society.

Caitlin Wiesen, U.N. Resident Coordinator a.i. and UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam, highlighted Vietnam’s candidacy to the U.N. Human Rights Council for the 2023-25 term, and said the development of a national action plan to promote respect for human rights in the context of business operation strengthens Vietnam’s voluntary pledges as a future member of the council.

According to her, UNDP, with support from the Swedish Government, has been working with the Vietnamese ministry to conduct two studies. A preliminary assessment of the legal framework of RBP in Vietnam was published in 2020 and the current one is the baseline exercise to identify and prioritize course of actions for NAP for the upcoming years. The ministry is now finalizing a baseline document which will inform the development of NAP. Five areas have already been identified as priorities: investment, labor rights and standards, civil rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups, environment, and consumer rights.

Source: VNA