Responsible Innovation in a Changing Digital Landscape
In today’s fast-evolving digital environment, responsible innovation has become more than a principle — it is now a policy imperative. Each technological breakthrough brings new opportunities but also complex ethical, social, and governance challenges. To guide this transformation, 51 governments adopted in June 2023 a new set of OECD recommendations on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) in the development and use of technology. These updates, introduced through the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (MNE Guidelines) (https://www.oecd.org/corporate/mne/), represent the most significant revision since the guidelines were first adopted in 1976. The new Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) chapter marks a turning point, embedding accountability and collaboration across the entire digital value chain.
A New Framework for Responsible Technology
The updated OECD MNE Guidelines expand the scope of responsible business conduct to cover every actor in the technology ecosystem — from developers and investors to data curators, researchers, hardware manufacturers, and digital service providers. The chapter emphasizes that all actors must conduct risk-based due diligence not only for their own operations but also for any adverse impacts linked to their products or services throughout the value chain.
In practice, this means that technology enterprises are now encouraged to assess risks beyond data privacy and cybersecurity, extending to areas such as:
- Democratic resilience and social cohesion
• Climate and environmental impact
• Consumer protection and safety
• Labour and human rights
The OECD Working Party on Responsible Business Conduct (WPRBC) and the OECD.AI Policy Observatory (https://oecd.ai/) are also developing guidance on RBC for Trustworthy AI, helping companies apply these principles directly to the development and deployment of artificial intelligence.
Jordan’s Adherence and Regional Role
Jordan, as an adherent to the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises, is committed to implementing and promoting the OECD Guidelines. This adherence reflects the Kingdom’s dedication to aligning national business practices with global standards of responsible conduct — particularly within the growing fields of information technology, innovation, and digital services.
Through its National Contact Point (NCP) hosted by the Ministry of Investment, Jordan ensures that these principles are not only promoted but also practically applied. The NCP serves as the national mechanism for fostering responsible business conduct, facilitating dialogue, and managing cases related to ethical and sustainable business practices.
The NCP is also working closely with the OECD Secretariat under the RBC MENA+T Programme (https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/) to:
• Develop case-handling procedures for grievance resolution
• Conduct awareness and capacity-building workshops for companies and public institutions
• Prepare for a dedicated ICT and Innovation event in Q4 2025, focusing on responsible digital innovation and due diligence in technology value chains
Participation as a Foundation for Future-Oriented Policy
Jordan’s participation in OECD programmes goes beyond compliance — it represents a forward-looking investment in future policymaking. Drawing from participatory experiences such as workshops, stakeholder dialogues, and cross-sector collaboration, the NCP is contributing to a growing knowledge base that supports anticipatory governance and evidence-based policy design.
This participatory approach reflects international foresight practices endorsed by:
• OECD – Strategic Foresight for Better Policies (2023)
• UNESCO – Futures Literacy Laboratories (2021) (https://en.unesco.org/futuresliteracy)
• World Economic Forum – Participatory Foresight in Public Policy (2022) (https://www.weforum.org/focus/shaping-the-future-of-public-sector-innovation)
By capturing insights from national and international engagement, Jordan’s NCP is shaping a practical “recipe” for future policy directions — ensuring that today’s participation informs tomorrow’s innovation strategies.
Building a Responsible Digital Future
Jordan’s leadership in integrating RBC principles into its digital economy underscores a national vision to create a sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven environment. By aligning national practices with international standards, Jordan’s NCP aims to ensure that the Kingdom’s technology sector continues to grow responsibly — creating opportunities while safeguarding people, communities, and the environment.
As the OECD advances its work on RBC for Trustworthy AI and digital governance, Jordan stands ready to contribute regionally and globally, leveraging its vibrant ICT ecosystem and multi-stakeholder partnerships to promote responsible and ethical innovation.
About the Jordan NCP
The Jordan National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (NCP) operates under the Ministry of Investment. It is the official national mechanism responsible for:
• Promoting the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
• Facilitating dialogue among government, business, and civil society
• Managing cases related to responsible business conduct
• Raising awareness of international standards for ethical and sustainable business
For more information: Jordan Ministry of Investment – National Contact Point Page (https://www.moin.gov.jo/EN/Pages/National_Contact_Point)
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