Advancing Business and Human Rights in Nepal
18 March 2025, Kathmandu
In a significant step toward aligning business practices with human rights principles, stakeholders from the government, national human rights institutions, private sector, civil societies and human rights defenders convened dialogue today to discuss ways to accelerate the implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights in Nepal. Key discussions focused on responsible business, ethical supply chains, corporate accountability, regulatory frameworks, and the government’s role in fostering human rights-aligned business practices.
The dialogue began with welcome remarks from Mr. Sukuntalal Hirachan, Vice President of the National Business Initiative (NBI), who emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing challenges and identifying opportunities for businesses to uphold human rights. “Today’s dialogue allowed us to reflect on challenges while exploring innovative solutions and best practices. Business success cannot be separated from its broader social impact,” he stated.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Ramesh Badal, Attorney General said, “In this complex and interconnected world, it is essential to recognize that the pursuit of business success cannot be separated from the broader social impact it has on individuals, communities and the environment.” He added, “protecting and upholding human rights is not solely the government’s responsibility; the private sector also plays an equally crucial role.”
A high-level panel on “From Policy to Practice: Overcoming Barriers to NAP Implementation” brought together government officials, officials from NHRIs, UN representatives, business leaders, and civil society members. Discussions underscored the urgency of integrating human rights into business operations in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and highlighted the private sector’s critical role in promoting responsible business conduct.
Mr. Christophe Bahuet, Deputy Regional Director for UNDP Asia and Pacific provided regional and global insights into how businesses can integrate human rights into their strategies while contributing to sustainable development, drawing from international best practices. Furthermore, he highlighted a need of multi-stakeholder engagement for the effective implementation of the framework on business and human rights.
Dr. Danielle Meuwly, Ambassador of Switzerland, and Ms. Veronique Lorenzo, Ambassador-Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Union to Nepal, also shared their perspectives on global standards, corporate responsibility, and multilateral cooperation in advancing business and human rights.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Sarat Singh Bhandari, Minister of Labor, Employment, and Social Security (MoLESS) said, “For Nepal to fully integrate human rights into its business landscape, a multi-stakeholder approach is essential. Collaboration, accountability, and strong commitments from both the public and private sectors will be key to aligning Nepal’s business practices with global human rights standards.” He reaffirmed MoLESS’s commitment towards the implementation of the plan of action in collaboration and coordination with all concerned stakeholders from federal to local government levels.
Mr.Kush Kumar Joshi, President of National Business Initiative(NBI) concluded the event stating, “Today’s dialogue is an important step towards ensuring that Nepal’s business landscape aligns with the international human rights standards. By embracing respect for human rights as a fundamental principle, we can create an environment where businesses thrive, communities prosper, and human rights are protected for all.” He committed to respecting human rights, promoting fair labor practices, protecting the environment, empowering marginalized groups, engaging stakeholders, and maintaining transparency and accountability.
The dialogue concluded with private sector pledges to uphold the respect and remedy part of business and human rights into the practice.
