The May 2011 update of the Guidelines included a provision that the OECD, adhering governments, and stakeholders would work together on a proactive agenda. The objective is for all partners to "look over the horizon" at potential challenges and collaborate on devising solutions, consistent with the principles of the Guidelines, to support MNE efforts to address challenges at an early stage in their development.
The OECD can point to success in leading a multi-stakeholder process to address the challenge of trade in conflict minerals originating from Africa's Great Lakes region. The OECD led a process of in-depth engagement with governments from the region, industry, civil society, as well as the United Nations. Following a series of consultative meetings, the OECD and its partners produced the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, the reference document for business, civil society and governments in determining how best to achieve responsible supply chain management of minerals from conflict-affected areas. In addition to development of the general framework set forth in the Guidance, the OECD has taken the effort further by developing annexes specific to the trade in four minerals in eastern Congo and piloting an assessment of implementation.
Member states and stakeholders now wish to build on the experience from the due diligence guidance initiative. The Guidelines call on NCPs to maintain regular contact with social partners and other stakeholders in order to:
The U.S. NCP welcomes input from stakeholders in identifying issues for discussion through the Proactive Agenda mechanism.
