International Accord at the 4th UN South Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights
The International Accord participated in the 4th UN South Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights organised by UNDP Business and Human Rights Asia from 20-22 March 2023 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The forum brought together key stakeholders including governments, trade unions, civil society, businesses, UN agencies, and development partners that discussed over a dozen topics relevant to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) during the three-day deliberations.
International Accord participated in the plenary From Tragedy to Progress: Lessons from the Rana Plaza Building Collapse that analyzed the progress and highlighted the continued need to prioritize worker safety in the textile and garment industry. The session was moderated by Prof Pichamon Yeophantong, Chair of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, and included insights from Shamim Ehsan (BKMEA), Mahruna Islam (UNDP) Kalpona Akter, Bangladesh Center for Workers’ Solidarity, and Zulfiqar Shah, Pakistan Consultant, International Accord.
- The contributions of the Accord in building a safer Bangladeshi garment industry.
- The importance of awareness, trust, and collaboration in ensuring human rights in business.
- The crucial role of stakeholder engagement, particularly the participation of local industry and government, in any new Accord country programs.
- The opportunities in replicating the Accord model in other major garment-producing countries.
- The benefits of legally binding agreements in ensuring transparency and accountability in garment supply chains.
Resources
Related updates
A series of recent brand-supplier meetings in Lahore and Karachi brought together Pakistan Accord signatory brands and their suppliers for discussions on enhancing occupational health and safety in the textile and garment industry.
Original Marines, Turner Bianca, S.O.K/ Group, Sun Garden,Tex Idea, and MPL Home are among the latest brands to sign the Pakistan Accord.
This briefing includes updates on the number of signatory brands, covered factories, Pakistan Accord Building Standard, first inspections under among other topics.
The Accord commemorates 11 years since the Rana Plaza collapse by remembering those who perished, those who were injured, and those who continue living with the impacts of one of the worst workplace disasters in modern history.
The capacity-building program for recently hired engineers under the Pakistan Accord has officially commenced.
A series of recent brand-supplier meetings in Lahore and Karachi brought together Pakistan Accord signatory brands and their suppliers for discussions on enhancing occupational health and safety in the textile and garment industry.
Follow us on social media
