The MENA-OECD Responsible Business Forum

Overview l Structure l Background l Meetings

With a view to actively engage both private and public sectors in the regional dialogue on responsible business conduct, the MENA-OECD Responsible Business Forum places special emphasis on the assessment and exchange of responsible business practices in the MENA region.

Organised in partnership with the UNDP, World Bank, EU and InWent under the auspices of Egyptian Minister of Investment H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, the Responsible Business Forum draws its mandate from the work of the Regional Task Force on Responsible Business Conduct -- based on the identification and assessment of priority areas and objectives by MENA and OECD government representatives, policy experts and civil society members.

The Responsible Business Forum works to promote investment for sustainable development with a specific focus on

• business integrity and anti-corruption
• labour standards and skills development
• health and environment

The Responsible Business Forum regularly brings together governments, business associations and civil society to engage in a dialogue on the most pressing issues regarding responsible business conduct in the MENA region. 

On 22 March 2009, the Responsible Business Forum agreed to establish a Co-ordinating Committee of national, regional and international partners to lead the initiative.

The Responsible Business Forum Secretariat is provided by the Egyptian Corporate Responsibility Center (ECRC).

The network itself is divided into five taskforces, addressing the following issues:

• development of tools to assess public policies in responsible business practices
• development of a databank to share and promote tools, guidelines and initiatives relevant to the MENA region
• business integrity and anti-corruption
• labour standards and skills development
• health and environment

Altough institutional reforms in the region over the last few years have focused primarily on monetary markets, investment houses, companies and businesses, there is growing awareness that institutional reforms should not be limited to governments. The private sector is increasingly playing a leading and innovative role in the whole reform process, and a new generation of young businessmen and -women are taking a more active part in establishing a new business environment in the region.

Responsible behavior in business and investment is more likely to contribute to sustainable development and employment creation. Building on OECD guidelines, such as the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the Policy Framework for Investment,  the MENA-OECD Responsible Business Forum seeks to translate broad concepts into actions which can be implemented by business.

4 November 2009, Amman: Responsible Business Forum addresses corporate governance and responsibility in the MENA region

26 October 2008, Cairo: Meeting of the Regional Task Force on Responsible Business Conduct