On 25 November 2019 at 9:00 a.m. (local time), SEC Secretary-General Ruenvadee Suwanmongkol together with Winita Kultangwatana, Director, and Pranee Leksrisakul, Assistant Director, Environmental, Social and Governance Department, attended the United Nations Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights at the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, which was held between 25 - 27 November 2019. The forum was opened by Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The Forum is considered to be a venue for multi-stakeholders who join in discussing the government and the business sectors’ progress in implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), which focus on three pillars: ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy.’ The said forum is one of the largest annual meetings of the United Nations since more than 2,000 participants from all relevant sectors meet to discuss directions and challenges in applying the guiding principles framework and to promote discussions, exchange of ideas and cooperation on various issues relating to business and human rights.

SEC’s activities in relation to this matter actually started with the signing of an MOU designating cooperation with the Office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on 31 May 2019 and driving operation under the guiding principles framework continuously with listed companies. In the first phase, the emphasis was on creating awareness and promoting knowledge and understanding of the guiding principles framework with the belief that the business sector being driven by the framework of the guiding principles will be strengthened in the management of operational risk. More importantly, the operations of business and human rights will lead to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In addition, SEC Secretary-General will present the progress of the operation of government agencies according to the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights as approved by the Cabinet on 29 October 2019. She will also present the actions that extend or supplement the said national action plan as per the letter by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Asia-Pacific region inviting SEC Secretary-General to attend as a speaker on the topic on 27 November 2019. This is the first forum for SEC to present and share knowledge, experience, and the practice within the UN guiding principles framework of this matter. And SEC will be a part of the government sector that will help drive business and human rights in order to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

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