Combatting Human Trafficking and Forced Labour in UN Supply Chains

The UN Security Council Resolution S/RES/2388 calls upon the UN system organizations to step up their efforts to strengthen protections against human trafficking in all UN procurement. The Resolution was further echoed by the subsequent UN General Assembly Resolution 76/7 and ECOSOC Resolution 2021/25.

Acknowledging that the UN system, as a major procurer of goods and services internationally, has the potential to support and promote good practices in supply chain management, the HLCM Procurement Network agreed to develop and implement a common approach to combat human trafficking and forced labour in UN supply chains. The resulting Policy Framework lays the foundation for this work and will support future efforts towards major suppliers.

The Framework is based on the best practices outlined in normative frameworks and government guidelines with regards to human rights due diligence, as well as on the activities of several international organizations.

It is composed of four pieces:

• the overarching HLCM CEB/2022/5 17/21 Procurement Network Statement;
• the guidance for UN staff based on best practices aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights;
• the amendments to the General Conditions of Contract and UN Supplier Code of Conduct.

Implementation will be supported by corresponding capacity building initiatives, consultations on the practical due diligence measures to be established, and means to gather data to support reporting.