Second phase of Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean project launched

SANTIAGO DE CHILE (ILO News) – The second phase of the Responsible Business Conduct project in Latin America and the Caribbean (RBC LAC) has been launched on 30 Octobre 2024 by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with the support of the European Union (EU).

Running until June 2028, the new phase aims to promote inclusive and sustainable growth by advancing responsible business practices, establishing fair and sustainable business conditions across nine countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and positioning responsible business conduct (RBC) as a long-term priority.

© ILO

© ILO

This will be achieved by supporting responsible business practices aligned with internationally agreed principles established by the United Nations (UN), ILO, and OECD. It will also integrate recent EU policy developments on RBC and due diligence.

Phase II aligns with the EU’s policy framework on responsible business, supporting human rights, decent work, and sustainable development. The project’s second phase focuses on key sectors, including minerals and agriculture, which are critical to addressing global challenges such as climate change, transition minerals, and deforestation, contributing to sustainable development goals in the region.

Building on the achievements of Phase I (2019-2022), activities will be implemented and structured through the following components:

1. Enhancing business and employers’ organisations practices
   Phase II will strengthen due diligence practices among businesses, employers’ organisations, and supply chain actors, particularly in high-impact sectors such as minerals and agriculture, to drive sustainable and responsible practices.
2. Strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks
   This phase will promote coherent policies and regulations that support responsible business practices aligned with international standards, creating an enabling environment for RBC across the region.
3. Expanding the role of workers’ organisations and civil society
   Workers’ organisations, civil society, and communities will play a crucial role in this phase, furthering their involvement in implementing and supporting RBC practices.

The RBC Project and its alignment with the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative

The project aligns with the European Union's Global Gateway initiative by promoting responsible and sustainable investments in Latin America and the Caribbean. Responsible Business Conduct is a key element in ensuring that investments contribute to sustainable development and respect for human rights.

The European Union’s Global Gateway

The Global Gateway is a new European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.

Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to €300 billion in investments through a Team Europe approach, bringing together the EU, its Member States and their financial and development institutions. It seeks a transformational impact in the digital, climate and energy, transport, health, and education and research sectors. The focus is on smart investments in quality infrastructure, respecting the highest social and environmental standards, in line with the EU’s interests and values: rule of law, human rights and international norms and standards.