Leading UN human rights expert visits UK Export Finance

The discussion covered the UK government action plan on business and human rights and the ways in which export credit agencies should seek to address the potential human rights impacts of the support they provide for exports. The work of UK Export Finance (UKEF) in supporting exports and projects was also discussed.

As the UK’s export credit agency, UKEF takes an active role in the development of international agreements on export credit policies and practices.

Present at the discussion were UKEF’s Chief Executive and members of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council (EGAC), an independent body whose remit is to advise Ministers and UKEF on the development and application of policies in relation to environmental impacts and human rights. Members of UKEF’s in-house specialist unit on environmental, social and human rights also joined the discussions.

Andrew Wiseman, Chair of the EGAC, said:

UK Export Finance is unusual among ECAs in having an advisory council with a specific role to consider the application and development of its policies in this area. We found the discussion with Professor Ruggie useful in helping to set our human rights agenda.

David Godfrey, UK Export Finance Chief Executive said:

It was valuable to be able to discuss the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles with Professor Ruggie. There are specific complexities and challenges that apply to export credit agencies. These are government-controlled entities, but they operate in a commercial environment to support the financing of projects and national exports.

Mr Ruggie was accompanied by representatives of the SHIFT project, an independent, non-profit centre for business and human rights practice, which he chairs.

Read a note providing information on UK Export Finance and Human Rights.