Opening remarks at 2023 International Forum on Sustainable Mineral Supply Chain - by Mr Chang Hee Lee, Director of ILO Country Office for China and Mongolia
Very good morning! On behalf of the International Labour Organization, I would first like to warmly congratulate CCCMC for organizing the 2023 International Forum on Sustainable Mineral Supply Chain. This is my honour to join this important event. Today’s forum provides a valuable platform for building our joint commitment towards a sustainable and responsible mineral supply chain, not just for our generation, but also for future generations.
CCCMC and its member companies have crucial roles to play in promoting responsible business practices (RBPs) in China and in the world. China is the most important producers and processors of minerals across the globe. CCCMC has developed important guidelines to support its member companies in carrying out responsible investment and supply chains due diligence. This is what we need most in today’s world for sustainable planet and inclusive growth when our world faces multiple challenges.
And that is why we are here to explore deeper and broader collaboration with CCCMC and its member companies. As you may know the International Labour Organization is one of the oldest UN agencies, created 104 years ago in 1919, based on firm conviction that “social justice is essential to universal and lasting peace”. Key instrument for social justice at work is by developing and applying international labour standards, which are adopted and implemented not just by the government, but also representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations.
Among 190 ILO Conventions, 10 conventions are defined as fundamental conventions which all of 187 ILO member states should respect and promote, under ILO’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The Declaration covers abolition of child labour, forced labour, non-discrimination, promotion of harmonious industrial relations, and occupational safety and health. They have become important components of major Free Trade Agreements such as CPTPP and all of FTAs and investment agreements signed between EU and other countries. Equally importantly, many multinational and national enterprises have those principles in their ESG reporting. As such, 10 fundamental conventions form a key cornerstone for responsible business practices in global supply chains, which is also core part of ILO Tripartite Declaration on Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, known as the ILO MNE Declaration.
Promotion of decent work in supply chain is one of key priorities of the ILO. In February 2023, the ILO adopted the ILO strategy on decent work in supply chains, which aims at addressing root causes and drivers of decent work deficits through supporting its tripartite constituents to better apply the principles of the MNE Declaration, for responsible business practices and decent work.
Responsible Business Practices is important for all sectors, but it is more important for mining and mineral sectors. It is because this sector is a crucial source of growth, employment and income, with direct impacts on environment. At the same time, mining is also a high risk sector, if not properly managed, it can cause social and environmental damages, with lasting negative impacts on our community and our planet. Therefore, it is so important that companies in this sector mitigate the social and environmental impacts of extraction and processing of minerals in supply chains through respecting the international standards. And I am fully aware that member companies of CCCMC is on the frontline in green technology, with an ultimate goal for carbon neutrality to save the planet.
I do hope and believe that CCCMC and its member companies will be also a global leader in ensuring decent work in your supply chains. China is the largest developing economy and China is a great success story. As such, China has an unparalleled position in reshaping the global environment and labour practices in line with universally recognized principles and values.
And it is CCCMC and member companies are in the best position to do so. With your global outreach, with your experience and wisdom of addressing environmental and social challenges, and with your commitment, I believe you can make differences, we can make differences together for decent work in your supply chains and communities around us.
We ILO truly welcome opportunities to work with and support CCCMC and its members for sustainable development, particularly decent work and better livelihood in and around your supply chains wherever they are. ILO has unparalleled expertise and experiences of working with not only government, but also employers and workers’ representatives in addressing challenges in the world of work. As the only tripartite organization of the UN family, we do have rich experience of supporting effective resolution of conflicts through social dialogue, whether at workplace level, sectoral level or national level. We do have a wide range of tools designed to support enterprises in managing their supply chains for responsible business practices.
With your, CCCMC’s sincere commitment, with your global outreach , with your wisdom, and also with ILO’s authority as guardian of international labour standards, ILO’s expertise and tool box, and ILO’s social dialogue approach to addressing challenges, we can make differences in business practices, and decent work and livelihood of people we are engaged. By doing so, we can make progress together towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and also goals of Global Development Initiative which is designed to accelerate SDG achievement.
And today at this Forum, we are taking our steps together for better and sustainable future of people and planet.
