TASHKENT, November 11. /Dunyo IA/. First National Dialogue on Business and Human Rights in Uzbekistan: Unlocking the Way Forward” took place in the capital, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

It was organized within the framework of the joint “Business and Human Rights” project of the National Centre of Uzbekistan for Human Rights and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Event, held in a hybrid format, was attended by representatives of state bodies, the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, workers’ and employers’ organizations, entrepreneurs, academic institutions, non-governmental non-profit organizations and international organizations.

Opening the National Dialogue were Academician Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Centre of Uzbekistan for Human Rights; and Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan. Sabine Machl, UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan, also addressed the event by video message.

In his remarks, Academician Akmal Saidov quoted the words of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev: “The richer our entrepreneurs are, the more prosperous our people will live and the more powerful our state will be. The success of an entrepreneur is the success of our entire nation”. Therefore, sustainable development of the national economy at high rates is of great importance for ensuring human interests, emphasized Director of the National Centre of Uzbekistan for Human Rights in his speech.

He recalled Uzbekistan’s negotiations on accession to the World Trade Organization, as well as its request in 2026 to begin the process of adhering to the Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. He also provided information on the draft National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights developed by the National Centre.

During the first session, global and regional trends in business and human rights, the responsible business conduct standards of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development; and their significance for trade, investment and supply chains were discussed.

At the second session, results of the National Baseline Assessment prepared at the request of UNDP were presented. According to the assessment, the elements necessary for this area exist in Uzbekistan, but they have not yet been brought together into a coherent national system. Risks related to labour rights, the environment and local communities persist in agriculture, construction and manufacturing.

Afternoon discussions were devoted to the State duty to protect against business-related human rights abuses and to the corporate responsibility to respect human rights through due diligence.

At the third session, representatives of the National Centre, Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment took the floor.

At the end of the Dialogue, participants discussed priority areas for further cooperation and steps towards preparing the next National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. The results of the Dialogue will be summarized by the National Centre and UNDP.

As part of the event, a one-day training on human rights due diligence will be held on November 10^th for representatives of state bodies and civil society organizations, followed by a three-day training for business representatives on November 11-13^th.