Peru: UN experts urge ratification of landmark Escazú Agreement to promote responsible business conduct
GENEVA (10 August 2020) – UN experts on business and human rights today urged Peru to ratify the landmark "Escazú Agreement," saying it offers an historic opportunity to make companies more responsible for their impact on the environment and to protect human rights defenders.
“This landmark regional treaty not only provides guarantees for good environmental governance and human rights, it is also a catalyst for sustainable development and responsible business conduct in the region,’” said Anita Ramasastry, chairperson of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights. “We urge the Government to take the next vital step forward by ratifying the Agreement.”
The "Escazú Agreement" is the informal name of the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean. The world’s first regional environmental treaty, it has been signed by 22 countries, and aims to guarantee the right of present and future generations to a healthy environment and sustainable development.