Title page 1

Contents 4

Abstract 3

Executive summary 5

1. Introduction 7

2. Supporting responsible business conduct (RBC) in partner countries 9

2.1. Reflection of RBC in policy documents targeting the private sector 9

2.2. Projects promoting and enabling RBC 10

2.2.1. Japan provides targeted support for promoting business and human rights 10

2.2.2. Australia showcases both issue- and sector-based approaches that promote RBC 11

2.2.3. Beyond projects focused on RBC, there are opportunities to integrate an RBC lens in wider co-operation projects 12

3. Integrating RBC in development institutions' ways of working 14

3.1. Mechanisms supporting the management of adverse impacts of development co-operation institutions 14

3.1.1. Institutional strategies on sustainability and ESG support attention to adverse impacts at project and institutional level 14

3.1.2. Institutions report on their efforts to address adverse impacts 15

3.1.3. Institutional financing approaches can further reinforce expectations for managing adverse impacts 16

3.2. Safeguarding: considering impacts of projects 16

3.2.1. Safeguarding policies address a broad range of adverse impacts 16

3.2.2. Safeguarding policies also steer the response to potential adverse impacts 18

3.2.3. Monitoring of implementation and grievance mechanisms are part of safeguarding 18

3.3. Expectations of private sector partners in contracting and procurement 19

3.3.1. Assessments of private sector partners also touch upon their capacity to address adverse impacts 19

3.3.2. Management of adverse impacts is integrated into procurement and contracting 19

3.3.3. RBC capacity of the local private sector in partner countries also needs to be considered 21

4. Integral role of development co-operation for policy coherence on RBC 22

4.1. Reinforcing policy linkages between development co-operation and RBC 22

4.1.1. Development co-operation contributes to policies on RBC 22

4.1.2. There are already efforts to connect RBC and development co-operation in trade and economic policy 23

4.1.3. National Contact Points for RBC are not yet closely involved with development co-operation 24

4.2. Engaging the domestic private sector 24

4.2.1. Multi-stakeholder platforms set up by JICA promote RBC 24

4.2.2. KOICA's ESG partnerships have potential to deepen the engagement on RBC 25

5. Conclusion 26

5.1. Drawing lessons from experience for broader OECD work 27

5.1.1. Support for RBC in partner countries 27

5.1.2. Leveraging institutional mechanisms to exemplify RBC 27

5.1.3. Support for domestic efforts in promoting RBC 28

References 29

Notes 39

Tables 4

Table 1. Reported ODA under the RBC Sector Code 25040 from 2019-2023 13

Boxes 4

Box 1. The OECD Inclusive Platform for Due Diligence Policy Co-operation 8

Box 2. Lessons from an evaluation of Japan's support to decent work in supply chains 11

Box 3. RBC-related expectations in New Zealand's MFAT Supplier & Delivery Partner Code of Conduct 20