G7-conference on sustainable value chains

On 6 May 2022, the former Federal Labour Minister Hubertus Heil and State Secretary Lilian Tschan discussed with representatives of the other G7 countries, civil society, the social partners, international organisations and renowned experts the added value of a binding international standard for business and human rights and relevant success factors.

The German Presidency, represented by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, clearly advocated a binding international standard for corporate due diligence. The G7 countries agreed to step up their efforts to ensure respect for human rights in value chains, including at international level. In this context, the need for more consistency, coherence and coordination was stressed in order to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.