3 The first task now is to ensure their effective implementation. This Interpretive Guide, which was developed in full collaboration with the former Special Representative, is designed to support this process.3 THE PURPOSE OF THIS INTERPRETIVE GUIDE This Guide does not change or add to the provisions of the Guiding Principles or to the expectations that they set for businesses. Its purpose is to provide additional background explanation to the Guiding Principles to support a full understanding of their meaning and intent. The Guide’s content was the subject of numerous consultations during the six years of Professor Ruggie’s mandate and was reflected in his many public reports and speeches, but has not previously been brought together. The Guide is not an operational manual that will explain exactly how to put the Guiding Principles into practice. Further work will be needed to develop such operational guidance, which will vary depending on the sector, operating context and other factors. The United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights will play a central role in this regard. In addition, other organizations with particular sectoral or issue-based focuses are already preparing their own thinking on implementation. As they do so, it is hoped that this Guide will assist them by explaining further the intent behind the Guiding Principles that address the corporate responsibility to respect human rights. As such it is a resource not just for businesses, but also for Governments, civil society, investors, lawyers and others who engage with business on these issues. While this Guide focuses on the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, it in no way reduces the equally important duty of States to protect human rights against abuse by third parties, including business. THE STRUCTURE OF THIS INTERPRETIVE GUIDE Chapter I briefly defines some key concepts used in the Guiding Principles. Chapters II and III focus on the substance of those Guiding Principles that address the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, with a series of basic questions and answers to help interpret each principle, its intent and 3 Special thanks go to Caroline Rees of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, who served as a senior adviser to the Special Representative’s team.