Spotlight

Enhancing Responsible Supply Chains in Asia: From contracts to remedies

ORGANIZED BY

Mori Hamada

17-Sep

11:00-11:30

Meeting Room A

This session examines the practical challenges of realizing responsible supply chains in Asia through Contracts and Remedies

Overview

This session examines the practical challenges and opportunities for realizing responsible supply chains in Asia through Contracts and Remedies.

Why it matters

While contracts can play an increasingly important role in promoting respect for human rights throughout supply chains, a number of challenges have been identified in practice, particularly regarding the effective implementation of HRDD and access to remedy. This session will identify these challenges and explore practical contractual provisions to strengthen HRDD process and improve remedy mechanisms.

Who should attend?

Business representatives, including sustainability, procurement and legal professionals
Employers’ and workers’ organizations
Civil society organizations
Researchers and scholars
Policymakers and practitioners

What participants will gain

A deeper understanding of the strengths and limitations of contractual approaches to HRDD.
Practical insights on designing contract-based mechanisms that support responsible business conduct and remedy.
Examples of collaborative and multi-stakeholder approaches to addressing human rights risks in supply chains.
Perspectives on emerging regulatory and policy developments shaping responsible supply chain management in Asia and beyond.

Chihiro Tsukada

Partner, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto

Chihiro Tsukada is a Partner at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, one of Japan’s largest corporate law firms. He previously served as Deputy Director of the Business and Human Rights Policy Office at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, where he played a key role in drafting the Guidelines on Respecting Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains, Japan’s first BHR-focused policy measures. He advises numerous corporations on conducting human rights due diligence and remediating human rights issues.

Mao Kado

National Project Coordinator, International Labour Organization

Mao Kado is a National Project Coordinator at the International Labour Organization in Tokyo, promoting responsible business conduct, particularly in relation to Japan and Thailand. During her tenure at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she led the development of Japan’s revised National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (BHR). She also practised law at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu, where she advised enterprises on BHR, internal and cross-border investigations, crisis management and regulatory compliance.

Panupan Udomsuvannakul

Partner, Chandler Mori Hamada Limited

Panupan Udomsuvannakul is a Partner at Chandler Mori Hamada Limited. He advises multinational corporations on cross-border investments, compliance, ESG, and business and human rights matters. He regularly supports companies in implementing responsible business practices and navigating evolving regulatory requirements in Thailand.