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Progress and Opportunities to Strengthen BHR in the Middle East and North Africa Region
Wednesday November 27, 2024 10:00am - 11:20am CET
Room XIX
Session organized by the Working Group on business and human rights
  
Interpretation in English, Arabic and French 

(Version française ci-jointe)

Brief description of the session: 
The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) have gained increased recognition among various stakeholders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including governments, businesses, national human rights institutions (NHRIs), civil society actors, academia and the legal community. However, despite the growing awareness, there are significant challenges in translating the UNGPs into effective frameworks for protecting and addressing human rights and environmental issues in the region. 

This session will build upon the discussions from the past two annual forums to delve into the progress that has been achieved in advancing the business and human rights agenda, and to identify areas where further progress is needed and where gaps in protection persist. The session will also examine the implementation of the UNGPs, with a particular emphasis on a smart mix of measures to strengthen business and human rights in the MENA region. 

Key objectives of the session: 
  • Examine the utilization of the UNGPs to enhance human rights in the MENA region. 
  • Identify obstacles, drivers, and priorities crucial for realizing the UNGPs in the MENA region. 
  • Discuss practical measures to raise awareness and promote the implementation of the UNGPs throughout the MENA region.  
  • Explore strategies for enhancing the capacities of all stakeholders to effectively leverage the UNGPs as a tool for States and businesses to fulfil their respective duties and responsibilities to protect and respect human rights and the environment. 
  • Emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to advance the UNGPs. 

Key discussion questions: 
  • What are the primary drivers and priorities that must be addressed to fully realize the UNGPs in the MENA region? 
  • How can a smart mix of measures assist businesses in identifying and mitigating human rights risks across their operations and supply chains?  
  • What valuable insights can be learned from the progress made in advancing the implementation of the UNGPs in the MENA region, and how can these lessons guide future efforts?  

Moderators
avatar for Takoua Tayari

Takoua Tayari

Business and Human Rights International Specialist, United Nations Development Programme
Takoua Tayari is an expert at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Tunisia, specializing in Rule of Law, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. She is currently serving as a Business and Human Rights International Specialist (a detachment) at UNDP in Djibouti... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Riyad Fakhri

Riyad Fakhri

Legal Professor, University of Hassan First
- Professor of higher education specializing in business law since 2002,- Director of the Business Law Research Laboratory at the Hassan 1er University of Settat Morocco since 2009- Expert evaluator of scientific projects contracted with CNRST Morocco since 2020- Scientific director... Read More →
avatar for Damilola Olawuyi

Damilola Olawuyi

member, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights
Damilola S. Olawuyi is a Professor and UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at the Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar. He is also the director of the Institute for Oil, Gas, Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development at the Afe Babalola University... Read More →
avatar for Mashael M. Al Sulaiti

Mashael M. Al Sulaiti

Founder & Chairperson, Mashael Al Sulaiti Law Firm
Mashael Al Sulaiti is the Qatari founder and chairperson of Mashael Al Sulaiti Law Firm, a leading practice specializing in international arbitration, commercial law, and construction law. Since founding her firm in 2012, she has gained a reputation as a highly regarded arbitrator... Read More →
avatar for Asmaa Fakhoury

Asmaa Fakhoury

Country Director, Avocats Sans Frontières - Morocco
Country Director, Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF), MoroccoAsmaa Fakhoury leads the Moroccan office of Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF), an organization dedicated to bolstering Moroccan civil society’s efforts toward building a pluralistic, democratic, and egalitarian society. Her work... Read More →
avatar for Jamal Al khadhuri

Jamal Al khadhuri

NHRI Oman
Concise Biography Dr. Jamal E. Al Khadhuri, is a member of the Oman Human Rights Commission. Currently, he chairs the national human rights strategy executive team and working with all stakeholders to finalize the national strategy document and the execution plan for all the government... Read More →
MENA Concept Note fr FINAL pdf
MENA Concept Note ARABIC pdf
Wednesday November 27, 2024 10:00am - 11:20am CET
Room XIX
  Regional session, Webcasted

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