RWE has been approached by NGOs SOMO and Pax because they want to file an OECD complaint against us on behalf of the Asamblea Campesina. This is a group of communities in the Colombian region of Cësar. The complaint alleges that we contributed to the harm caused to the people of this Asamblea by sourcing coal from Colombia. RWE can avoid the OECD complaint if we publicly acknowledge the rights violations and provide reparations in the form of a financial fund, for example for training.

We are surprised by this complaint. For years we have been actively committed to responsible coal mining, improving the situation in the region while respecting the responsibilities and position of the Colombian authorities. In doing so, we work according to the internationally recognised standard for assessing, ensuring and maintaining strict ethical, environmental and social performance throughout the coal mining supply chain. This is done in cooperation with the Dutch embassy and coal companies in the region.

And because the use of coal in Europe is declining and will eventually disappear altogether, we have also set up a project with our own resources and support from other companies and the Dutch government to develop new forms of economic development in the regions to reduce dependence on coal.

Finally, we consider acting with integrity to be an important prerequisite for sustainable successful growth, which is why we have enshrined it in the RWE Code of Conduct. This provides the framework for our company's business and social activities and ensures that our activities comply with the law and with social and cultural standards and values. It is based on the principles of the United Nations Global Compact, which we joined in 2004, and the OECD Principles for Multinational Enterprises. To anchor the principles of the RWE Code of Conduct as guidelines for all parties, we use it as the basis for all other company regulations.

In short, RWE does not recognise the complaint and has decided not to negotiate or acknowledge the involvement of human rights violations. We will wait to see how things progress.