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OECD Responsible Business Conduct Policy Reviews: Costa Rica

 

 

 

 
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Versión en español

 

The OECD Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) Policy Review of Costa Rica seeks to foster the role of the Government in promoting business practices that maximise the contribution of enterprises to sustainable development and prevent and mitigate the adverse impacts that their activities, supply chains and/or business relationships may cause or contribute to cause on people, the planet, and society.

 

The Review examines the legislation, regulations and policies of Costa Rica in the main areas covered by the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, including human and labour rights, the environment, and the fight against corruption. It also analyses how the Government can leverage and incentivise responsible business practices in its role as an economic actor (i.e., through public procurement and state-owned enterprises) and through other policy areas that can shape business conduct, in particular trade and investment policies. The Review formulates actionable recommendations in those different areas.

 

The Review constitutes a reference document and a valuable tool to support the Costa Rican Government in the consolidation of an enabling policy and regulatory environment that drives, supports and promotes responsible business practices. This is becoming increasingly important to thrive in the global economy and strengthen economic, social and environmental progress. As such, the Review represents an important input to promote the RBC agenda in Costa Rica, as well as for the implementation and/or update of the National Policy on Social Responsibility and should Costa Rica decide to develop a National Action Plan on RBC or Business and Human Rights.

 

   2 February 2023 | 9:00 a.m. (San José) / 4:00 p.m. (Paris), Virtual event

 

Agenda (in Spanish) | Watch the launch event on replay (in Spanish) 

 

The launch event of the OECD Responsible Business Conduct Review of Costa Rica presented the main findings and recommendations of the Review and gathered the views of representatives of the Government of Costa Rica thereon.

In addition, the event allowed for a discussion with representatives from Costa Rican business associations, State-owned enterprises, indigenous peoples, as well as the academia. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights also participated in the event. 

The event was opened by high-level remarks from the following representatives of the European Union, the Government of Costa Rica, and the OECD:

  • Antonia CALVO PUERTA, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Costa Rica
  • Manuel TOVAR RIVERA, Minister, Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica
  • Allan JORGENSEN, Head of the OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct

It then continued with a presentation of the Review and a discussion on its relevance for the implementation and/or update of the National Policy on Social Responsibility of Costa Rica, with the following representatives of the OECD, ILO, and the United Nations:

  • Froukje BOELE, Head of Public Policy and Regional Programmes, OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct
  • Marie BOUCHARD, Policy Analyst, Latin America and the Caribbean, OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct
  • Leonardo FERREIRA NEVES, Deputy Director of the Office for Central America, ILO
  • Fernanda HOPENHAYM, Member, United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights

Following the presentation of the Review, a panel moderated by Germán ZARAMA – Focal point and Policy Analyst for Latin America and the Caribbean at the OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct – and comprised of the following representatives of Costa Rican business associations, State-owned enterprises, indigenous peoples, and the academia, discussed the opportunities and challenges for promoting responsible business conduct in Costa Rica:

  • Silvia CHAVES HERRA, Sustainability Leader, Conglomerado Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
  • Juan Carlos MÉNDEZ, Chair of Human Rights, School of International Relations, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (UNA)
  • Isabel RIVERA, Leader, Asociación de Mujeres Mano de Tigre, Territorio Indígena Térraba
  • Olga SAUMA, Executive Director, Alianza Empresarial para el Desarrollo (AED)

Finally, the event concluded with high-level remarks from Francisco GAMBOA, Minister of Economy, Industry and Commerce of Costa Rica.

Contact

For more information, please contact:

Marie Bouchard | Policy Analyst 

Marie.BOUCHARD@oecd.org

Germán Zarama | Regional Focal Point 

German.ZARAMA@oecd.org

 

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