Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) has once again demonstrated its leadership in sustainability reporting by securing the prestigious Gold Medal at the Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards (ASRA) 2024 in the Human Rights category. This accolade, the highest honor in the competition, places CP Foods at the forefront of organizations across Asia that prioritize transparency, ethical practices, and social responsibility. Competing against entrants from over 13 countries, CP Foods distinguished itself through its commitment to international standards, clear and comprehensive disclosures, and tangible outcomes in human rights integration.
Pimonrat Reephattanavijitkul, Chief People Officer at CP Foods, expressed immense pride in this recognition, emphasizing that it reaffirms the company’s dedication to transparency and comprehensive sustainability reporting. Notably, this marks the fifth consecutive year that CP Foods has earned the Gold Medal, making it the only Thai organization to achieve this distinction in 2024. Such consistent recognition underscores CP Foods’ unwavering commitment to fostering an ethical and socially responsible corporate culture. The company’s approach involves a robust management framework that includes policy formulation, risk prevention, and mitigation strategies, all designed to uphold and enhance human rights standards across its operations.
As a global leader in integrated agro-industrial and food businesses, CP Foods operates in 17 countries and exports its products to over 50 nations worldwide. This expansive footprint necessitates a deep commitment to recognizing and respecting diversity within its workforce, which comprises individuals of various ethnicities, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds. To ensure inclusivity, CP Foods systematically enforces its human rights policies across all levels of the organization. This proactive stance has led to the cultivation of an open and equitable organizational culture, where employees are empowered, valued, and treated with dignity.
CP Foods Earns Top Gold Medal, Strengthening Leadership in Human Rights Sustainability Reporting
Over the years, CP Foods has implemented a series of initiatives aimed at promoting and protecting human rights. A cornerstone of these efforts is its comprehensive Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) process, which involves risk assessments, integrated risk-mitigation measures, continuous monitoring, and transparent performance reporting. These processes enable the company to identify potential risks and take proactive steps to mitigate them effectively. Moreover, CP Foods actively fosters Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within its workforce. This commitment is evident in the company’s inclusive hiring practices, which extend employment opportunities to people with disabilities and migrant workers. Furthermore, CP Foods conducts extensive education programs to raise awareness among vulnerable employee groups about labor rights and occupational health and safety standards.
In addition to fostering a fair and inclusive workplace, CP Foods encourages employee participation in corporate clubs that reflect the company’s values and promote a sense of belonging. Currently, CP Foods supports 19 corporate clubs, including those focused on LGBTQ+ rights, family well-being, and overall employee happiness. These clubs serve as platforms for employees to engage, share experiences, and drive positive change within the organization.
CP Foods’ commitment to human rights extends beyond its internal workforce and into the broader community. The company prioritizes stakeholder engagement, guided by principles of equality and social responsibility. One of its key initiatives in this domain is knowledge-sharing projects aimed at reducing educational disparities. CP Foods actively collaborates with educational institutions through scholarship programs for employees and their children, curriculum co-development under the Co-Creation Project, and the CONNEXT ED Project, which supports education development at various levels.
This unwavering dedication to human rights management has earned CP Foods widespread recognition through numerous national and international accolades. Among its recent honors is the Human Rights Model Organization Award 2024 from the Ministry of Justice, an achievement it has secured for five consecutive years. Additionally, CP Foods has been awarded the Outstanding Organization Supporting Employment of Persons with Disabilities Award 2024 at the excellent level for eight consecutive years. The company has also received the Outstanding Award for Gender Equality Promotion and Protection of Rights from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. Further cementing its reputation as a gender-equal workplace, CP Foods was named Runner-up in the UN Women 2022 Thailand WEPs Awards in the Gender-Equal Workplace category.
Looking ahead, CP Foods remains committed to maintaining and enhancing its human rights standards, ensuring that its business operations are both ethical and sustainable. The company continues to integrate innovative practices and policies that align with international best practices in sustainability reporting. By doing so, CP Foods not only strengthens its corporate governance but also reinforces its role as a responsible global business leader.
As consumer expectations and regulatory requirements around sustainability and human rights evolve, CP Foods is poised to lead the way in shaping responsible business practices. The company’s continuous efforts to uphold human rights principles, promote inclusivity, and engage with stakeholders underscore its mission to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. The Gold Medal at ASRA 2024 is not just an accolade—it is a testament to CP Foods’ dedication to setting new benchmarks in human rights sustainability reporting and fostering positive societal impact on a global scale.
