Thank you, Chairperson.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries the Republic of North Macedonia[*]*, Montenegro* and Albania*, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

We align ourselves with the IMEC Statement.

1. The ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles on Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, which focuses on the implementation of social policy, labour rights and international labour standards by multinational companies, is a key instrument to promote decent work in a globalised economy.  
2. The MNE Declaration is a global instrument and a unique one, given its tripartite nature, which provides governments a platform for tripartite social dialogue involving multinational companies. It also offers valuable orientation on how to meet due diligence demands in respecting fundamental labour rights and ensuring decent working conditions.
3. We reiterate our support towards the MNE declaration and welcome the ILO promotional activities both at regional and national level, such as country-level assistance projects developed in cooperation with the EU and its Member States, like the project of  awareness raising on Responsible Business Conduct in Latin America and the Caribbean (RBCLAC) or the Responsible Supply Chains in Asia program. We also welcome the strengthening of the ILO Helpdesk on the Declaration issues.
4. In fact, we consider that the promotion of the MNE Declaration at country level is of utmost importance, thus adapting it to local specificities, and providing tailored capacity support, network and tools for achieving decent work, as well as the revitalization of national social dialogue.

Chair,

1. The MNE declaration complements other international standards on responsible business conduct, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Therefore, the EU and its Member States actively promote and support national, supra-national and global efforts to implement such standards in relevant policy areas, including development cooperation and trade. We also welcome the creation of the alliance between the UN agencies and the OECD. We encourage this cooperative approach in projects related to all three instruments, as already done in EU-funded projects, as described in the GB document.
2. The promotion of human rights and decent work in global supply chains worldwide, including a zero-tolerance policy on child and forced labour, human trafficking, and other human rights violations and abuses are priorities for the EUMS.
3. The MNE declaration offers valuable guidance on how to meet due diligence standards and respect fundamental labour rights and ensuring decent working conditions. The significance of the MNE Declaration will continue to rise considering the increasing number of mandatory due diligence regulations introduced and planned globally, including in the EU.
4. We are strongly committed towards achieving a well-performing inclusive economy that works for people and delivers on environmental and social goals.
5. We encourage the appointment of national focal points that are tripartite‑supported where similar tools and processes in relation to the principles of this declaration are not in place.
6. We support the way forward in promoting the MNE Declaration and its implementation by ILO Member States, regional and international organizations and enterprises. We welcome the work of the Office on future initiatives and planned ways forward mentioned in part C of the GB-document, but would like to ask the Office if they can elaborate in more detail on these planned activities. We would also encourage the Office to provide an update on the initiatives mentioned in part C of the GB-document for the Governing Body of November 2021.

Thank you, Chair. 

1 *The Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.