Dr. Başak Bağlayan is the Secretary General of Luxembourg’s OECD National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (RBC). She works as an expert on RBC in the Ministry of the Economy.
Prior to her current position, Başak worked as a researcher at the University of Luxembourg. During her time in academia, she authored the National Baseline Assessment on Business and Human Rights and a study on potential human rights legislation for the Luxembourg government. She also acted as an academic advisor during the drafting of the Luxembourg’s National Action Plans on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
Başak has numerous academic publications on a wide range of topics and has drafted various policy papers on RBC for the government of Luxembourg, the International Labour Organization, and the United Nations Development Programme Turkiye offices. She frequently presents at international conferences and has participated in panels at acclaimed academic institutions as well as the United Nations, the EU, and the Benelux Parliament.
Başak holds a PhD in public international law from the University of Luxembourg and a Master’s in human rights from the University of Essex.
Prior to her current position, Başak worked as a researcher at the University of Luxembourg. During her time in academia, she authored the National Baseline Assessment on Business and Human Rights and a study on potential human rights legislation for the Luxembourg government. She also acted as an academic advisor during the drafting of the Luxembourg’s National Action Plans on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
Başak has numerous academic publications on a wide range of topics and has drafted various policy papers on RBC for the government of Luxembourg, the International Labour Organization, and the United Nations Development Programme Turkiye offices. She frequently presents at international conferences and has participated in panels at acclaimed academic institutions as well as the United Nations, the EU, and the Benelux Parliament.
Başak holds a PhD in public international law from the University of Luxembourg and a Master’s in human rights from the University of Essex.
Barbara Bijelic is Head of Regulation and Standards at the OECD Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) Centre. She oversees the Centre’s work on regulatory engagement, the financial sector, tech sector and environment. She has a JD from Columbia University and BA in International Development from McGill University.
Benjamin MICHEL is Policy Analyst at the OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct (RBC), where he works with policymakers and financial institutions in promoting the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance.
His work focuses on promoting due diligence practices different sources of financing for the economy, ranging from financial markets, corporate lending, project and asset financing and development finance.
Previously, Benjamin has been working in sustainable finance as a human rights expert, advising financial institutions - ranging from development banks, commercial banks or private equity funds - in assessing and addressing ESG impacts and opportunities in investment decisions. Benjamin studied human rights and international law at Sciences Po Law School, and is a faculty member to the Sciences Po Law School Clinic.
Kamil Zabielski, has joined Storebrand’s sustainable investments team in 2021. Previously, he was Head of Sustainability at the Norwegian Export credit Agency (GIEK), and advisor at the Council of the Ethics for the Norwegian Government Pension Fund — Global. His specializations include human rights/ labour rights, conducting due diligence of companies, and evaluating environmental and social risks and impacts of projects. He has an L.LM in International Law and an M. Phil in Human Rights Law from the University of Oslo.
Patricia Nicolau is a Social Development and Environmental Economist with over 20 years of experience in ESG integration and sustainability. Over the past 12 years at FMO, she has worked across various sectors of the organization, including special operations, agriculture, and renewable energy, serving as an ESG officer, advisor, and manager. Patricia has played a pivotal role in embedding human rights into FMO’s investment processes, ensuring it becomes a standard practice within the bank, while also advising clients on identifying and addressing human rights issues. Currently, she is developing a proof of concept for responsible investing in fragile countries. Her key achievements include leading Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) initiatives, launching innovative ESG tools, and influencing industry regulations at both the EU and UN levels.
