INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PAGES sible supply chains in 15 Asian and Latin American countries. Fourth, we must ensure that compa- nies engage meaningfully with work- ers through due diligence. In this re- spect, social dialogue is integral to re- sponsible business conduct. This is why we engage closely with trade unions through our Trade Union Advi- sory Committee (TUAC). Moreover, last week we hosted the Global Deal Conference with Swedish Prime Min- ister Stefan Löfven. We brought to- gether over 100 Global Deal partners to share and shape novel solutions for renewed, stronger dialogue among companies, workers and governments. Last but not least, to ensure the con- tinued impact of our work, we must assess the alignment of industry and multi-stakeholder initiatives against the OECD due diligence guidance. Improved alignment will have multiple benefits, including: improved trust and credibility of initiatives; better under- standing of how companies and gov- ernments can rely on them; and better mutual recognition. I am pleased that the assessment of the alignment of the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles in Germany will be launched during this Forum. Ladies and Gentlemen, The garment and footwear industry bears a great responsibility to our economies, to societies and to the planet. Only through deeper, more ef- fective, more ambitious international co-operation on due diligence and re- sponsible business conduct can weThe OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Respon- sible Supply Chains in the Garment and Foot- wear Sector The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector establishes a common understanding of due diligence in the sector to help companies meet expectations on due dili- gence laid out in the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD Guidelines). The OECD Due Diligence Guidance, which was developed through a multi- stakeholder process, was approved by all governments adhering to the OECD Guidelines and endorsed by business, trade unions and civil society. It is a direct response to the G7 Leaders’ Declaration on 7-8 June 2015 in Schloss Elmau which welcomed international efforts to promulgate industry-wide due diligence standards in the textile and ready-made garment sector. The Guid- ance is applicable to all companies – large and small – operating in global garment and footwear supply chains. The OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Gar- ment and Footwear Sector The OECD Garment Forum convenes over 500 representatives from gov- ernment, business, workers and civil society to discuss key issues and risks related to due diligence in global garment and footwear supply chains in a neutral environment. A common denominator of the discussions is the OECD Due Diligence for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector. The OECD Forum pushes the needle by focusing on challenging processes and issues related to due diligence and driving towards solutions. The Forum also plays a role in supporting alignment across governments and industry initiatives on expectations of business. hope to multiply opportunities and to transform lives around the globe. The OECD is committed to continue working with you in this endeavour. Today’s Forum is a unique opportunity to take our work forward to help design, develop and deliver better due diligence policies for better lives. Thank you. Mandatory Due Diligence, Taking Stock & Looking Forward Governments are a key driver for re- sponsible business conduct due dili- gence. There is a growing expectation of a more active role of governments in supporting the effective implemen- tation of responsible business con- duct (RBC) due diligence standards. While the OECD Guidelines for Multi- national Enterprises do not target or provide specific recommendations for governments, they acknowledge therole of governments as a key driver for Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) and there is widespread recognition that RBC cannot be achieved without gov- ernment taking part in these efforts. Government’s role includes creating an enabling policy environment to support and promote responsible business practices. In doing so, governments are encouraged to pursue a range of poli- cies to drive, facilitate and enable re- NCM-MARCH 2020 43sponsible business conduct by com- panies. They may do so through a smart mix of complementary measures, compris- ing national and international, manda- tory and voluntary elements to encour- age RBC. While this note focuses on disclosure and due diligence legisla- tion, legislation is just one of many policy tools available to governments