Human Rights Ministry Discusses NCP Formation to Accelerate OECD Accession
The Directorate General of Human Rights Instruments and Strengthening at the Ministry of Human Rights, together with the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM, discussed the establishment of Indonesia’s National Contact Point (NCP) in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The NCP will be tasked with accelerating Indonesia’s accession process towards membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), particularly in the technical review phase.
The strategic meeting, which also involved civil society organisations, was held to strengthen the implementation of responsible business conduct (RBC).
Acting Director General of Human Rights Instruments and Strengthening at the Ministry of Human Rights, Sofia Alatas, said in a written statement that the inaugural meeting was designed to be inclusive in order to absorb holistic aspirations regarding business governance and human rights.
“The effort to establish this NCP is a clear reflection that companies, in carrying out their business activities, must pay attention to human rights aspects for the protection of the rights of communities and workers,” said Sofia.
On the same occasion, Director of Regional and Multilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM, Fajar Usman, expressed optimism that the NCP scheme would improve the quality of Indonesia’s investment climate.
“We are optimistic that the OECD accession process and the establishment of the NCP, which is a membership mandate, will give the government greater attention to business and human rights issues,” said Fajar.
The mechanism ensures that potential violations of environmental rights, workers’ rights and other social impacts by national or multinational companies can be optimally anticipated.
Through cross-ministerial and institutional synergy, both policy alignment and human rights standardisation in the business sector as a collaborative step are expected to accelerate the fulfilment of OECD criteria while demonstrating Indonesia’s readiness to become a leader in responsible business governance in the global arena.