PART 2: BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS: KEY DEVELOPMENTS AND FRAMEWORKS National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights in Asia While many of the earlier NAPs on business and human rights were developed in Europe, an increasing number of countries in Asia are engaging in the process, signalling the drive within the region to increase the quality of foreign direct investment and ensure that economic growth is achieved in a sustainable and rights-respecting manner. Following an extensive and wide-ranging consultation process, Thailand was the first country in Asia to publish a stand-alone NAP on business and human rights in 2019. Since then, a number of Asian countries have published a NAP including Japan, Taiwan and Pakistan. In addition, South Korea has a chapter on business and human rights within its broader human rights national action plan. Many other countries in the region have committed to developing a NAP, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia and the Philippines. In Vietnam, the Ministry of Justice is working with UNDP to develop its NAP.34 In addition, business and human rights has become a priority area for the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). Through its meetings and workshops, AICHR has provided an important platform for governments in the ASEAN region to learn from each other, particularly in relation to the development of NAPs. 22 |