The Bulgarian Foundation for Business and Human Rights organized the first-of-its-kind informational event focusing on the role of business concerning human rights and freedoms: „Business Talks about Human Rights,“ held today, June 26, 2024. As the National Contact Point of Bulgaria for Responsible Business Conduct, the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA) was invited to participate.

The main goal of the event was to expand knowledge in Bulgaria on the increasingly relevant topic of the correlation between business and human rights. The discussion featured internationally recognized experts such as Ron Popper, Beata Faraśik, and Olena Uvarova, who shared their experiences in this field. A special focus of the event was the application of the topic of private initiative and human rights in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, whose embassy in Bulgaria supports the initiative as part of the project „Business and Human Rights: The Dutch Experience.“

BSMEPA was represented by Mr. Lachezar Petkov, the agency’s Chief Secretary. He highlighted the importance of the National Contact Point (NCP) of Bulgaria, established in 2021, as a permanent mechanism for implementing and promoting the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct for multinational enterprises in the country. Its activities cover several areas: human rights, combating bribery and other forms of corruption, science, technology and innovation, environment, and more. Bulgaria is actively striving for full membership in the OECD, established in 1961 in Paris. The NCP reviews specific cases of non-compliance with the OECD Guidelines impartially, predictably, fairly, and consistently.