Zambia National Stakeholder Dialogue on Business and Human Rights Lusaka, Zambia 18th to 19th April 2023

•    The Honorable Minister of Justice, Mr. Mulambo Haimbe, MP

•    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice

•    The Chairperson, Human Rights Commission of Zambia

•    Officials of Government ministries, departments and agencies

•    Members of the diplomatic corps, cooperating partners and donors 

•    Business and business associations members

•    Representatives of Trade Unions  

•    Academia, civil society, the media, ladies and gentlemen

It is my great pleasure to join you in opening this National Stakeholder Dialogue on Business and Human Rights on behalf of the United Nations in Zambia and particularly, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

This Dialogue is a momentous step forward in realising a recommendation that Zambia supported during its 3rd cycle Universal Periodic Review in 2017 to “develop a national action plan on business and human rights and implement it together with the (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).”

It builds on the important work that Zambia’s National Human Rights Commission and its partners have undertaken in publishing a National Baseline Assessment on Business and Human Rights (NBA) in 2016 which addresses Pillars I and III of the UNGPs, respectively, (1) the State’s duty to protect and (2) access to remedy for victims of business-related abuses.  In 2020, a supplement examined the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, Pillar II of the UNGPs.

But, it also moves us forward by broadening the dialogue and ownership to include Government, the United Nations, Cooperating Partners, and a wider cross-section of businesses and other partners.

Ladies and gentlemen, this Stakeholder Dialogue provides an opportunity for us to hear from various stakeholders, including OHCHR, on their work on business and human rights and current trends.  We will also hear from the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on its practical experience in implementing the UNGPs, including in the context of achievements it has been able to secure through its country missions, particularly experiences from Africa. 

In 2022, the UN System, through UNDP launched a baseline assessment on business and human rights in the African region, and Southern Africa showed many promising opportunities for collaboration and bold actions.

We are proud that this process resulted from two critical events on Business and Human Rights in 2022; the African Business and Human Rights Forum was held in Ghana, and the Southern Africa NAP Dialogue was held in Mozambique. We applaud the Government of Zambia and the national partners for taking the bold step in building on the gains, lessons learned, and experiences of these events to work towards its NAP development.

The area of business and human rights holds enormous importance to Zambia and the UNGPs is a critical resource for the country as it embarks on an economic transformation agenda aimed at growing the economy and creating jobs, including for its very large, youthful population.  Development and development partners who respect human and environmental rights and contribute to long-term, responsible and sustainable development are critical given the challenges of our times, including increasing poverty and inequalities and climate change, and the implications of these on continued peace and stability in and across countries.  

 

Honourable Minister, ladies and gentlemen

    The UN System in Zambia applauds the leadership demonstrated by the Government through the Ministry of Justice in advancing and coordinating this dialogue on Business and Human Rights with the support of the very active core group comprising of the Human Rights Commission, Diakonia, Zambia Alliance of Women and UNDP -- An excellent example of partnership, leveraging resources and capacities of national actors.  As the UN System, we are pleased to support this process substantively, technically and financially as we have made key commitments to this area in our own UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework which seeks to accompany Zambia to realise its 8th National Development Plan.

As I close, let me underscore the unwavering commitment of the UN family in Zambia to the protection and promotion of human rights.  This too is clearly integrated in the 8NDP and other national legal frameworks.  By working together, we can advance business and human rights in line with international commitments.  We know that only by standing up for universal human rights can we advance sustainable development, prevent violence, and sustain peace.

I thank you.