On November 9, Tashkent hosted the first National Dialogue on business and human rights in Uzbekistan. The event was organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uzbekistan in cooperation with the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It brought together representatives of government agencies, businesses, trade unions, civil society, and international organizations. During the event, the results of the National Baseline Assessment on business and human rights were presented, examining three key issues: how the state protects people from abuses related to corporate activities, the extent to which companies comply with human rights, and what remedies are available to victims.
Key Takeaways: The National Baseline Assessment noted Uzbekistan’s progress in improving its legislative and institutional framework, but gaps remain in law enforcement. The study identified 12 key problems related to business and human rights, including labor rights compliance, safety and occupational health, informal employment, environmental protection, gender equality, and social inclusion. Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Center for Human Rights, announced that the center has developed a draft National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
The dialogue is particularly relevant given Uzbekistan’s pursuit of accelerated accession to the World Trade Organization, efforts to attract responsible foreign investment, and expansion of access to international export markets. UNDP emphasized that balancing business and human rights is essential not only for fulfilling international obligations but also for sustainable economic growth and strengthening investor confidence. Participants discussed moving from voluntary corporate social responsibility initiatives to stricter requirements and standards for respecting human rights in business.
In his remarks, Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Center for Human Rights, stated that recommendations made during the meeting would be taken into account in subsequent consultations on the draft National Action Plan. The assessment analyzed mechanisms for protecting the public from abuses related to state-owned enterprises, the level of corporate compliance with human rights, and victims’ access to remedies. On November 10, a training session was held for government agencies, human rights institutions, NGOs, trade unions, and academia on human rights due diligence—specifically, identifying and preventing risks of corporate-related abuses.
From November 11 to 13, the organizers conducted trainings for representatives of private companies, state-owned enterprises, banks, and business associations. The program included practical sessions on identifying potential risks for employees, contractors, and local communities, as well as establishing grievance mechanisms. Each company was required to develop a plan for implementing these procedures. Going forward, the adoption of the National Action Plan and the introduction of clear standards for respecting human rights in business are expected.
Source: www.gazeta.uz