RBA On The Move

EXTERNAL EVENTS AND MEETINGS RBA ON THE MOVE

EU-U.S. Trade & Technology Council Consultation

On December 2, the RBA was invited by EU authorities to speak at the EU-U.S. Trade & Technology Council’s (TTC) stakeholder consultation on labor rights and trade, a topic dealt with through the TTC’s Working Group on Global Trade Challenges. The EU-U.S. TTC was created earlier in 2021 by the U.S. government and EU with the aim of coordinating governmental policy approaches to key global trade, economic and technology issues.

EU NGO Human Rights Forum

On December 7, at the invitation of the European Commission, the RBA spoke at the annual EU NGO Human Rights Forum, dedicated to responsible recovery from COVID-19. The Forum highlighted pathways for a human rights-based recovery from the pandemic, including through EU legislation that promotes responsible business and through specific policies for the EU to further protect civic space worldwide.

AAFA Webinar

On December 2, the RBA participated in a panel discussion on the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) webinar, “Symphonizing to Enhance Worker Voice in Social Audits,” which was sponsored by Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP). RBA and WRAP panelists spoke about the importance of adding worker voice to socially responsible production programs, the purpose of a new survey tool launched by six leading CSR compliance organizations, including the RBA and WRAP, preliminary data and potential next steps.

UN Forum on Business and Human Rights

On November 30, during the 2021 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, the RBA spoke about the implementation of mandatory due diligence legislation and how collaborative approaches like those facilitated by the RBA help drive effective due diligence.

Malaysia National Action Plan Event

The RBA attended the launch of Malaysia’s inaugural National Action Plan on Forced Labour (NAPFL), 2021-2025, on November 26, at the invitation of the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) in recognition of the RBA’s support and inputs to the development the NAPFL. The NAPFL sets out the commitments of the government of Malaysia to eliminate forced labor in the country.

Human Rights Commission Event

On November 25, the RBA participated in a Stakeholder Consultation on Forced Labor Issues in the Manufacturing Industry, organized in Kuala Lumpur by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia. Among the key objectives of the event were to discuss and obtain views on forced labor issues as well as to identify the role of businesses, government and other stakeholders in tackling forced labor issues in the manufacturing industry in Malaysia.

Public Procurement Conference

The RBA was invited by the Czech government to speak at the 2021 Responsible Procurement Conference in Prague on November 4. The conference brought together participants from 10 Central and Eastern European countries to discuss responsible procurement policies, and experiences with practical implementation. The Czech Republic will be presiding over the EU during the second half of 2022.

Global HR Forum

The RBA participated virtually in the Global HR Forum, which took place in Seoul, Korea, November 10-11. The Forum was co-hosted by The Korea Economic Daily and its theme was Digital Transformation, ESG, and Sustainable Future. The RBA’s presentation, “Advancing ESG Due Diligence and Human Rights in the Global Supply Chain,” focused on how the RBA helps companies and their suppliers advance ESG due diligence and human rights worldwide.

TIC General Assembly

On November 16, the RBA’s Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) discussed industry practices and challenges related to expanding due diligence requirements in mineral supply chains at the 62nd General Assembly of the Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center (TIC) and presented RMI tools that help companies identify and address ESG in their operations and supply chains.

COP26 - Tech for Climate Action

The RBA was in Glasgow, Scotland, November 1-5, for COP26 and participated in a number of activities including the Tech for Climate Action event hosted in partnership with the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA UK) and COP26 E-Alliance & Partners. Tech for Climate Action featured an exhibition, an environmental conference, a CEO panel, and the COP26 Compass Award ceremony.

ILO Training Centre Event

On October 28 the RBA shared its experience implementing due diligence mechanisms to prevent forced labor, as part of the course on International Labour Standards and Corporate Social Responsibility: The Labour Dimension of Human Rights Due Diligence, organized by the ILO’s International Training Centre (ITCILO). The course was attended by corporate responsibility and sustainability professionals, government officials, international organizations, employers’ organizations and trade unions from nearly 30 countries.

Meeting with DRC Government

On October 13, RBA and RMI staff met with a DRC delegation including the leadership of the DRC’s Center of Expertise, Evaluation and Certification of Precious and Semi-Precious Minerals (CEEC). It was an opportunity to update the DRC delegation on recent developments in global RBA and RMI efforts, with particular focus on recent milestones in our upstream engagement, including through collaborative efforts such as the Cobalt Action Partnership.

Meeting with Malaysia Government

On September 20, RBA staff met with representatives from various Malaysian government agencies, including the Ministries of Human Resources, Home Affairs and International Trade and Industries, to discuss the Malaysian National Acton Plan on Forced Labor as well as the role of RBA tools and programs to combat forced labor.

Netherlands Embassy Event in Kuala Lumpur

On September 15, the RBA participated in an event on “Responsible Business Conduct in Malaysia’s Manufacturing Sector,” organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Malaysian Dutch Business Council (MDBC). The event, targeted at Dutch companies in the manufacturing sector and companies in their supply chains in Malaysia, presented practical tools and shared experiences on how organizations can put responsible business first.

National Science and Technology Event

On July 20, the RBA’s Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) provided a technical briefing to the United States government’s National Science and Technology Committee’s Sub-Committee on Critical Minerals. This briefing came on the heels of The White House’s 100-Review of Executive Order 14017, which includes recommendations to support secure and resilient supply chains. The RMI discussed a number of resources and tools the government can leverage and support to accomplish its policy objectives.

ILO Labour Law E-Academy Event

On July 19, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Labour Law E-Academy invited RBA staff to address participants, consisting of around 50 labour officials from around the world, on the role of private regulation mechanisms in improving labor rights globally. This was an opportunity to detail RBA tools, programs and approaches to government officials while highlighting areas for greater public-private cooperation.

U.S. Foreign Service Event

On July 12, for the fourth year in a row, RBA staff presented on trends in labor and human rights issues to U.S. Foreign Service Labor Affairs Officers. The course is an opportunity to inform officers who are heading out to embassies all over the world on RBA tools and programs as well as how to engage the private sector on key issues.

ITA International Tin Seminar

On June 29, the RBA’s Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) spoke at the International Tin Association’s 2021 Tin Seminar about the implications of emerging EU mandatory due diligence legislation on tin value chains and the responsible sourcing of tin in scope of mandatory due diligence rules, including environmental due diligence, and a global responsibility that extends across tiers.

VivaTech 2021

On June 17, the RBA’s Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) participated on a panel at VivaTech 2021 titled, “Producing Responsibly, From the Ground Up.” The RMI discussed how it helps companies evolve in terms of responsibility and sustainability, common challenges companies face when it comes to responsible sourcing and production, and how we help ensure accountability.

ICC Meeting

The RBA was invited to present its approach to supply chain due diligence to the International Chamber of Commerce’s Commission on Corporate Responsibility and Anti-corruption on May 27. RBA staff outlined RBA tools and programs, stressing how they help bridge policy and practice on supply chain due diligence.

Regional Conference on Migration

On May 26, the RBA participated in the Central and North America Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) on “Exchange of Good Practices on Recruitment and Labor Protection of Migrants,” hosted by the government of Mexico (as the current President Pro Tempore of the RCM) and co-organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Cobalt Institute Conference

On May 18 the RBA’s Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), as the Project Management Office for the Global Battery Alliance’s Cobalt Action Partnership, participated in the Cobalt Institute conference on the “ASM Contribution to Sustainable Development” panel, which focused on the contribution of ASM to sustainable livelihoods and how the industry is collaboratively engaging to achieve positive outcomes on the ground.

CLEPA Conference

On May 5 the RBA’s Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) spoke at the annual CLEPA (European Association of Automotive Suppliers) conference, which brought together European automotive suppliers and stakeholders to discuss the latest trends in materials sourcing and regulation and their implication for the automotive value chain.

OECD Minerals Forum

The RBA’s Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) co-hosted side sessions at the OECD Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains, April 26-30. The topics included OECD-based due diligence in base metal supply chains, incorporating ESG into responsible sourcing and production, driving responsible ASM cobalt sourcing, and environmental due diligence, among others.

AIAG CR Summit

The RBA’s Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) spoke at the AIAG 2021 Corporate Responsibility Summit that was held on April 14-15. Nearly 1,700 automotive executives from several countries participated in this virtual event. RMI staff presented on requirements for compliance with the EU Regulation, tools for identifying high-risk areas and implications for Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) completion.

IOE Event

The RBA was invited to present its views during the Digital Consultation organized by the International Organization of Employers (IOE) on April 9, to inform the subsequent report of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights to the UN General Assembly on “International Investment Agreements (IIAs) and Human Rights.”

ILO Sri Lanka Event

On March 26 the RBA participated in an ILO event in Colombo, Sri Lanka on “Market Diversification from a Fair Recruitment and Decent Work Perspective.” The event was part of a series of moderated discussions aimed at informing key recruitment industry actors in Sri Lanka on labor market trends and stakeholder expectations related to forced labor, human trafficking and modern-day slavery.

UNU Country Policy Research Workshop

The RBA’s Responsible Labor Initiative (RLI) was invited to participate in the United Nations University (UNU)’s Delta 8.7 Country Policy Research Workshop on Malaysia, held on January 21. Delta 8.7 is a global knowledge platform by UNU that explores what works to eradicate forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labor.