PH Supports Efforts to Promote Human Rights, Business Enterprises 

Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Other International Organizations Evan P. Garcia (left) greets the High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet Jeria (right) at the sidelines of the opening plenary of the seventh Forum on Business and Human Rights at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on 26 November 2018. (Geneva PM photo)

GENEVA 11 December 2018 – The Philippines expressed its support on efforts relating to business and human rights, as Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva Evan P. Garcia attended the opening plenary of the seventh United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva on 26 November 2018. 

“The Philippines is supportive of initiatives relating to business and human rights. We are pleased that the forum provides an opportunity to enrich discussions on the practice of human rights due diligence among businesses. We believe that these discussions are essential in contributing to better protection of affected communities, including women, children, and indigenous peoples,” Ambassador Garcia said.

The opening plenary of the UN Forum provides leadership and high-level perspectives on the main theme of this year’s forum, “Business respect for human rights – building on what works.”

In her opening remarks, High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet stated that business enterprises play an important role not only in respecting the human rights of workers and of people affected by business operations, but also in influencing and leveraging others to uphold human rights.

The forum, which took place on 26-28 November 2018, also discussed trends, challenges and emerging good practices in translating the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights for Implementing the UN “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework into practice, and promoting multi-stakeholder dialogue and cooperation on business and human rights. END

For more information, visit www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGenevaUN/.