The Secretariat of Kazakhstan’s National Contact Point Participates in the OECD Responsible Business Conduct Network Online Meeting
20.06.2025
On
June 18–19, 2025, representatives of the Economic Research
Institute, who form part of the Secretariat of Kazakhstan’s
National Contact Point (hereinafter – NCP), took part in the Global
Virtual Meeting of NCP.organized by the OECD Secretariat on
Responsible Business Conduct (hereinafter – RBC). The event was
attended by Christine Kaufmann, Chair of the OECD Working Party on
Responsible Business Conduct (hereinafter – WPRBC), as well as
representatives of the WPRBC and NCPs from adhering countries.
The meeting discussed a range of current issues related to the effective implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, as well as the strengthening of the NCPs’ role in promoting RBC standards. One of the key topics was encouraging companies to engage with NCPs. According to the latest annual NCP activity report, in 2024 the lack of agreement in 56% of specific instances resulted from companies refusing to participate in the process. In this context, the OECD Secretariat presented a draft analytical report outlining arguments for involving businesses in NCP activities, as well as key communication points for dialogue with companies. Meeting participants discussed various approaches to engaging with the business community and shared their experiences in overcoming participation barriers. During the first day, NCPs from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia shared examples of successful dialogue with companies and the challenges they face. In this regard, experts from Kazakhstan’s NCP presented elements of a national promotion plan aimed at enhancing business engagement. Key tools identified included information campaigns, training events, advisory support, and partnerships with universities, civil society, and business associations. Special attention was given to the regional dimension – Kazakhstan expressed its readiness to share experience gained through cooperation with companies and to contribute to building sustainable practices in Central Asian countries. A separate session focused on developing a model of mediation terms that could be used in NCP services for the peaceful settlement of disputes. Given that agreement on mediation parameters often becomes an obstacle for the parties, the Secretariat presented possible options for drafting voluntary standard conditions. NCP representatives exchanged practical approaches to resolving such situations, taking into account national contexts. Additional proposals in this area were submitted by the German and Australian NCPs.
The third major topic concerned managing parallel processes in specific instances. It was noted that in 46% of cases concluded over the past five years, the subject of the complaint was also being reviewed in other legal or administrative jurisdictions. Although parallel proceedings do not preclude NCP consideration, they can significantly complicate the process, leading to delays and reduced engagement by the parties. The Secretariat presented an updated draft NCP Guidance on Managing Parallel Proceedings, reflecting amendments introduced to the OECD Guidelines in 2023. At the end of the first day, participants exchanged views on aligning procedures under parallel processes and emphasized the importance of developing unified practices and consistency among different dispute resolution mechanisms and institutions. The second day of the meeting was devoted to functional equivalence in allocating specific instances among NCPs, regulatory developments affecting their role, and the launch of the new NCP Network Action Plan for 2025–2028 (hereinafter – the Plan). At the opening session, the Secretariat presented an overview of recent data showing that 95% of all specific instances are handled by only five NCPs, while about 35% of NCPs have not registered a single case in the past five years, and one-third consistently face a shortage of cases. Reasons cited for this imbalance included limited visibility of some NCPs, insufficient human and financial resources, and the practice of transferring cases to countries where company headquarters are registered. Participants discussed ways to achieve a fairer distribution of workload, including improving NCP visibility, strengthening coordination mechanisms, and developing institutional capacities. Representatives from the United Kingdom, Israel, France, and Japan emphasized the need to enhance NCP capacity and foster deeper cooperation within the network.
The subsequent session on regulatory changes examined the impact of new legislative initiatives, including the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), on NCP mandates. Italy highlighted the importance of clear implementation procedures, Denmark shared its experience in preparing government recommendations, and the Czech Republic presented successful knowledge-sharing practices with Germany and Switzerland. The OECD Secretariat provided updated information on its analytical work in this area. Representatives of OECD Watch called on NCPs to be more actively involved in national lawmaking processes and to develop well-reasoned policy proposals for governments. The final session of the day focused on the implementation of the new Action Plan, approved by the WPRBC in November 2024. The document defines three strategic objectives: consolidation of the NCP network, alignment with the OECD Guidelines, and addressing gaps in the functioning of individual NCPs. One of the first steps was the presentation of a mentorship program proposal, under which more experienced NCPs will provide voluntary support to their newer counterparts. The program received positive feedback from Japan, the United Kingdom, Israel, and Italy. Participants emphasized the importance of sectoral training, such as on environmental topics, and establishing a clea.organizational structure. The initiative’s implementation stages include developing an application form, pairing mentors and mentees, and conducting annual evaluations with the possibility of extending participation. The meeting also discussed planning approaches for activities under the new Plan. Unlike previous versions, the current Plan does not prescribe a fixed list of actions but instead allows for regular consultations with NCPs and flexibility in responding to emerging priorities. Canada proposed conducting a survey among NCPs to gather ideas, while Poland suggested creating a shared digital platform for resource and material exchange.
Special attention was given to sustainable financing for the Plan’s activities. The Secretariat encouraged NCPs to explore opportunities for voluntary contributions and other forms of national-level support to ensure the comprehensive implementation of planned objectives. The Secretariat of the NCP of Kazakhstan will continue to actively participate in the activities of the OECD NCP Network, share its accumulated experience, and contribute to the development of tools and solutions aimed at strengthening institutions of responsible business conduct. The next meeting of the NCP Network is scheduled for October 2025.
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