Fostering Responsible Business Conduct for a Just Transition: Insights from the Course

At the invitation of the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC-ILO), I recently had the privilege of participating in an online course focused on responsible business conduct (RBC) and its crucial role in promoting sustainable and just transitions. As this was my second time engaging with ITC-ILO, the experience again proved invaluable, enriching my work as an Investment Adviser at the Romanian Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade, and in my role with Romania’s National Contact Point (NCP) for Responsible Business Conduct.

The course offered timely insights into how multinational enterprises (MNEs) can align their operations with international standards on labor rights, environmental sustainability, and social justice—all foundational to achieving a just transition. In today’s global economy, sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern; it is central to long-term success. Businesses must integrate ethical, social, and environmental priorities alongside economic goals. This reaffirmed my belief that responsibility is no longer optional. Companies that lead in sustainability not only enhance their reputations but also mitigate risks and unlock new market opportunities. Responsible business conduct is both a moral and strategic imperative.

A standout element of the course was the emphasis on embedding RBC principles into trade and investment agreements. Aligning such agreements with labor rights and environmental protections is essential for creating equitable growth. As someone involved in Romania’s trade and investment policy landscape, I have seen firsthand the gradual inclusion of these clauses, yet challenges remain in making them fully operational and impactful.  Romania has made progress, but there is a pressing need to institutionalize RBC within investment contracts—making responsible practices a condition, not just a recommendation. This includes aligning national policies with OECD Guidelines and the EU Green Deal.

The course deepened my understanding of how National Contact Points (NCPs), like the one I support in Romania, serve as critical levers of corporate accountability. NCPs promote the OECD Guidelines and provide a platform for non-judicial grievance resolution when enterprises fall short of responsible conduct. NCPs may lack enforcement powers, but they wield reputational influence. Through transparency, mediation, and public reporting, NCPs help ensure that companies remain accountable to workers, communities, and society at large.

This has inspired me to advocate for a stronger, more proactive NCP presence in Romania—one that not only resolves disputes but actively shapes responsible business culture through education, dialogue, and policy engagement.

This ITC-ILO training reaffirmed that businesses play a pivotal role in shaping a just and sustainable future. Through responsible business conduct, firms can drive economic growth while ensuring social equity and environmental stewardship. Romania, through a strengthened NCP and robust policy alignment, has the opportunity to lead by example, fostering a business environment where accountability and sustainability are the norm—not the exception.