"The business and human rights dimension of sustainable development: Embedding “Protect, Respect and Remedy” in SDGs implementation"

The 2030 Agenda [for Sustainable Development Goals] emphasizes that the business sector is a key partner for the United Nations and governments in achieving the SDGs. Notably goal 17 speaks of revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development, including public-private partnerships. Paragraph 67 of the 2030 Agenda calls on “all businesses to apply their creativity and innovation to solving sustainable development challenges” and commits States to “foster a dynamic and wellfunctioning business sector, while protecting labour rights and environmental and health standards in accordance with international standards and agreements and other ongoing related initiatives, such as the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights…”. 

...The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights urges Governments to set a clear vision for connecting the role of the private sector and businesses in development with accountability and internationally agreed standards for business practices aligned with human rights. It also calls on business to meeting their responsibility to respect for human rights as an integral component of their contribution to the SDGs. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights should be a key reference point for both States and business in this context.