13th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights

Session co-organized by the Business and Human Rights Working Group, International Federation for Human Rights.
 
Brief description of the session:
This session seeks to analyze normative, regulatory, public policy and institutional trends in business and human rights in Latin America, to delve into challenges and opportunities to achieve greater effectiveness in the implementation of existing and developing frameworks, as well as to achieve greater access to justice when abuses occur. Given the particularities of the region, the panel will reflect on how due diligence becomes an effective tool for prevention, how to move towards more effective corporate accountability in Latin America, and how substantive participation can be guaranteed, with the voice of those in most vulnerable situations at the center, including an intersectional perspective with an ethnic and gender focus. Likewise, the panel will seek to explore lessons learnt from strategies focused on value chains and from multi-stakeholder initiatives that promote public-private cooperation. Finally, it will seek to reflect on some specific regulatory challenges that arise in Latin America, which has become a strategic region for the just transition, as a supplier of critical minerals and also given its wealth of biodiversity and the need to promote conservation and combat deforestation more effectively.

Key objectives of the session:
This session will seek to analyze normative, regulatory, public policy and institutional trends in business and human rights in Latin America, and their implementation, in order to improve respect for human rights in the context of business activities, achieve greater corporate accountability and advance access to effective and comprehensive remedy, considering the specificities of the regional context, and the approach from the value chains, putting people at the center.

Context of the discussion:
Latin America has made significant progress in the area of business and human rights, materialized in the use of the UNGPs as a common platform for action and a minimum standard for different actors, including governments, companies and investors, civil society, national human rights institutions, among others. However, challenges in the region persist, facing long-standing structural problems that, in some cases, are exacerbated by socio-environmental conflicts that occur within the framework of the activities of national and transnational companies operating in Latin America.
The efforts of States in the region to prevent and mitigate the impacts of the business sector and, eventually, remedy them, have been focused on National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights, and/or on the growing search to develop specific sectoral policies that regulate the economy. Likewise, civil society organizations, as well as some national governments, have begun to promote processes for the elaboration of laws on corporate responsibility to respect human rights and the environment, such as Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Chile. In addition, and considering the globalization of supply chains and the transnational nature of a large part of business operations and impacts, regulatory advances in other regions such as the European Union, and countries such as France, Norway, Germany, among others, are also a key part of the discussions in Latin America.
These regulatory advances take on a particular dimension given the characteristics of the Latin American region, where many countries are major exporters of raw materials and recipients (and competitors) of investments. The persistent negative impacts require the identification of gaps at the regulatory and public policy level, but also the improvement of existing ones, as well as their effective implementation through greater supervision, oversight and technical and budgetary resources, that is, strong public institutions. No less important is improving access to justice, eliminating or minimizing obstacles to comprehensive and effective reparation.
The regulatory and institutional ecosystem that influences and regulates business activities is extremely broad and is made up of constitutional norms, laws and regulations, as well as specific regulatory frameworks such as mining codes and just transition policies, extending to public tendering and contracting regimes, and environmental impact assessment procedures, among others. In order to advance in the respect for human rights in the context of business activities, an smart mix of measures and policy coherence is needed that aims to increase accountability, guarantee greater legal responsibility and better access to remedy.
With this ecosystem as a reference, this session will seek to analyze some normative, regulatory and institutional trends at a regional level and delve into challenges and opportunities to achieve greater effectiveness in the implementation of existing and developing frameworks, as well as greater justice when violations occur, which considers rights holders at the center. Due diligence permeates the discussions on the business and human rights agenda, so this panel seeks to analyze how this foundation of Pillar II of the UNGPs constitutes an effective instrument of prevention, allowing progress towards greater corporate accountability in Latin America, incorporating the specificities of the Latin American legal system, as well as the particularities of the region, and adding the perspective of potentially affected people at the center, guaranteeing effective participation, and the intersectional perspective with an ethnic and gender focus.
The session will reflect on initiatives developed throughout the value chain and the work of multi-stakeholder alliances that allow us to think of creative solutions that have a positive impact on society as a whole, especially on most vulnerable populations. Building innovative solutions challenges us to work together with stakeholders throughout the entire value chain, to achieve mechanisms that contribute to the measurement of impacts (cumulative and synergistic), traceability, social well-being, respect for human rights and care for the environment. Hence the importance of having concrete experiences developed through the value chains of different sectors, based on dialogue and cooperation of stakeholders, at the public and private level.
Finally, the panel will seek to delve into some specific regulatory challenges that arise in new contexts that Latin America is going through, such as that of the just transition. This includes REDD+ projects, whose regulation, in many countries in the region, is insufficient to guarantee the protection of human rights and, in particular, those of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. These new instruments, which arise as a response to the efforts of States to advance strategies to reduce and mitigate greenhouse gases, entail new challenges and tensions at the regulatory and implementation level. Including these particularities in the debate is extremely relevant in Latin America, a region that suffers from high levels of deforestation and that is home to large areas of jungle and forests such as the Amazon and the Gran Chaco, which transcend the border limits of the countries.

Snapshot co-organized by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights and Statkraft  

"Safeguarding Human Rights: A Strategic Approach Through Due Diligence in Renewable Energy Projects" focuses on the integration of human rights due diligence in the renewable energy sector, particularly in regions with complex labor markets and inadequate worker protections. The session will explore how a strategic mix of regulatory mandates, CSR initiatives, and voluntary frameworks like the UNGP can help mitigate human rights impacts, especially on vulnerable communities such as migrant workers and indigenous peoples. By examining the challenges and efficacy of these measures during project planning and execution, the session aims to highlight the importance of accountability, transparency, and collaboration in upholding human rights standards throughout the project's lifecycle.

Snapshot co-organized by the Working Group on Business and Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn NV

The Zero Draft of European Model Clauses has gone into worldwide consultation in July 2024. These model clauses are aligned with the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), OECD Guidelines and UNGPs and aim to introduce responsible contracting practices in supply chains. This development is also relevant as Article 18 CSDDD prompts the European Commission to develop guidance on model clauses. Whereas contracts are an important means to implement human rights compliance in a legally binding fashion in supply chains, they are an indispensable part of due diligence. However, the current contractual practices in many cases exacerbate human rights impact instead of improving the situation. Therefore, responsible contracting practices should be implemented. In this session the European Model Clauses and their objective to implement responsible contracting practices are introduced as well as the context of the CSDDD in which contracts play an important role.

Background information
The Zero Draft, an introduction and a commentary to the clauses (with general commentary explaining specific Articles, practical guidance on implementation and member state specific observations regarding the Articles) may be accessed at https://www.responsiblecontracting.org/emcs. This site may be referred to for background information.

Snapshot co-organized by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights and Proforest

This session will introduce a new Converged Human Rights and Environment Due Diligence (HREDD) Assessment Tool. Originally authored by the Fair Labor Association, over the last year it has been piloted and adapted by Proforest in partnership with AIM Progress and the Consumer Goods Forum Human Rights Coalition (membership of which comprise major FMCG companies). Its collaborative development was prompted by a desire to support convergence on pre-competitive action on HREDD, reducing assessment fatigue.

This tool will help businesses assess the maturity of a company’s HREDD systems across its own operations and supply chains, including both service and goods providers. It can be used by companies in any goods/service sector. It is a practical, ready to use resource inspired by company best practices to support business-to-business engagement and continuous improvement of businesses’ HREDD maturity.

We will briefly introduce the tool and discuss how it fits into business HREDD strategies. We will present an example of how it is being rolled out in a business, and how the tool can be leveraged as the basis for supplier engagement and improvement in HREDD practices.

The newly introduced BHR Informal Dialogues will offer an open, dynamic platform for inclusive and in-depth discussions on critical issues within the Business and Human Rights (BHR) agenda. These sessions are structured to encourage autonomous, participant-led conversations without formal speakers or panelists, fostering a free-flowing exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives. The aim is to create a collaborative space where all participants can directly engage with one another, enabling meaningful dialogue that promotes deeper understanding of key issues.

By encouraging active participation from all participants, the BHR Informal Dialogues seek to ensure that a broad range of voices contribute to shaping the future of business and human rights practices. This format prioritizes diversity of views and backgrounds, creating a space where different stakeholders can share insights, experiences, and best practices in a flexible and open environment. 
There will be no interpretation provided.

This informal and interactive space is open to everyone and is designed to spark collaborative thinking, drive solution-oriented discussions, and contribute to advancing the global BHR agenda.
Each Interactive dialogue will be facilitated by one or two people to ensure effective and inclusive dialogue. The facilitators will guide the discussion, assist in maintaining a balanced conversation, and ensure that all voices are heard. This structure will help both facilitators and participants to ensure a free-flowing exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives.
Topics for Discussion: The BHR Informal Dialogues will focus on a range of pressing topics, including:

• Intergenerational Exchange on BHR: Promoting dialogue between different generations on the evolving BHR landscape and priorities.

Guiding questions:

1. What is the most pressing challenge for the business and human rights agenda today? Do you feel that your generation has a strong voice in relation to the key issues?
2. Are you optimistic/pessimistic that mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence (mHRDD) could address some of the biggest challenges? Where does your optimism/pessimism come from?
3. How much confidence do you have in businesses to take meaningful action on respecting human rights? Has this changed throughout your career to date? Do you think that businesses know how to properly engage with different generations as part of taking meaningful action?
4. What do you think should be the top priority for governments around the world over the next five years? What do you think needs to change to make UNGPs implementation a success from a practical perspective?

 

The newly introduced BHR Informal Dialogues will offer an open, dynamic platform for inclusive and in-depth discussions on critical issues within the Business and Human Rights (BHR) agenda. These sessions are structured to encourage autonomous, participant-led conversations without formal speakers or panelists, fostering a free-flowing exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives. The aim is to create a collaborative space where all participants can directly engage with one another, enabling meaningful dialogue that promotes deeper understanding of key issues.

By encouraging active participation from all participants, the BHR Informal Dialogues seek to ensure that a broad range of voices contribute to shaping the future of business and human rights practices. This format prioritizes diversity of views and backgrounds, creating a space where different stakeholders can share insights, experiences, and best practices in a flexible and open environment. There will be no interpretation provided.

This informal and interactive space is open to everyone and is designed to spark collaborative thinking, drive solution-oriented discussions, and contribute to advancing the global BHR agenda.

Each Interactive dialogue will be facilitated by one or two people to ensure effective and inclusive dialogue. The facilitators will guide the discussion, assist in maintaining a balanced conversation, and ensure that all voices are heard. This structure will help both facilitators and participants to ensure a free-flowing exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives.

Topics for Discussion: The BHR Informal Dialogues will focus on a range of pressing topics, including:

• Responsible Investment: Examining the impact of investment on human rights and business practices

Guiding questions of the dialogue:

• What is a "smart mix" of tools that investors can use to meaningfully engage with rightsholders (or their representatives)?
• What has worked well / not worked well from the perspectives of rightsholders and investors?
• As a rightsholder (or representative), what advice would you give to investors on identifying and engaging with them?
• As an investor, what advice would you give to rightsholders and their representatives on approaching and engaging with investors?

The newly introduced BHR Informal Dialogues will offer an open, dynamic platform for inclusive and in-depth discussions on critical issues within the Business and Human Rights (BHR) agenda. These sessions are structured to encourage autonomous, participant-led conversations without formal speakers or panelists, fostering a free-flowing exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives. The aim is to create a collaborative space where all participants can directly engage with one another, enabling meaningful dialogue that promotes deeper understanding of key issues.

By encouraging active participation from all participants, the BHR Informal Dialogues seek to ensure that a broad range of voices contribute to shaping the future of business and human rights practices. This format prioritizes diversity of views and backgrounds, creating a space where different stakeholders can share insights, experiences, and best practices in a flexible and open environment. There will be no interpretation provided.

This informal and interactive space is open to everyone and is designed to spark collaborative thinking, drive solution-oriented discussions, and contribute to advancing the global BHR agenda.
Each Interactive dialogue will be facilitated by one or two people to ensure effective and inclusive dialogue. The facilitators will guide the discussion, assist in maintaining a balanced conversation, and ensure that all voices are heard. This structure will help both facilitators and participants to ensure a free-flowing exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives.

Topics for Discussion: The BHR Informal Dialogues will focus on a range of pressing topics, including:

• State-Business Nexus: Addressing the intersection between public policy and private enterprise, particularly in terms of human rights obligations.

Objective:
The key aim of the session on State-Business Nexus is to shed light on transformational nexus relationships that safeguard human rights and environmental protection for present and future generations. Through facilitated conversations between diverse group of stakeholders and rightsholders, participants will gain insights into essential transformational nexus relationships that can strengthen environmental and human rights due diligence especially in the context of just transition.

Guiding questions for dialogue:

• How can formal and informal institutions influence transformational nexus relationships across state actors and businesses to safeguard human rights? What are some examples of best practices?
• What can we learn from best practices and how can they be replicated or adapted to further prevent, mitigate, and remedy adverse impacts on human rights and the environment?

Snapshot co-organized by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights and World Benchmarking Alliance

The session will focus on stakeholder engagement in the implementation of the UNGPs by companies. Effective engagement is critical for companies to understand the human rights impacts they cause or contribute to and to develop meaningful responses. The discussion will underscore the importance of engaging not only internal stakeholders but also external communities, supply chain workers, and other rightsholders who are often directly impacted by corporate activities. While progress has been made, many companies still struggle to ensure this engagement is equitable, transparent, and effective. Drawing on five years of CHRB trends and WBA's Social Benchmark the session will showcase good practices as well as ongoing challenges. It will explore how companies can foster meaningful engagement that builds trust and comprehensively addresses human rights concerns. Speakers will also examine the role of investors, civil society, and business platforms in driving improved corporate human rights performance, especially in light of growing regulatory requirements.

 
Session organized by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights 
 
Brief description of the session: 

The Working Group on Business and Human Rights will present a report to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025. The report will seek to identify current strategies, policies, and practices, and remaining gaps and challenges to address adverse human rights impacts linked to the procurement and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) systems by States and non-tech businesses.

The report aims to clarify the respective duty and responsibility of States and non-tech businesses to protect and respect human rights, as well as the roles of other relevant stakeholders, including civil society, human rights defenders, academia, trade unions and national human rights institutions, in the context of the evolving landscape of AI procurement and deployment. As the report focuses on the procurement and deployment of AI systems by States and non tech business enterprises, therefore it does not cover issues related States developing and deploying their own AI systems, and related to tech business enterprises developing and deploying AI systems.
It seeks to explore the following items:
- How States can further enhance efforts to safeguard human rights when procuring and deploying AI systems;
- How non-tech businesses can further incorporate human rights focus in their deployment of AI in their business operations, products and services, including though comprehensive and robust human rights due diligence processes;
- What grievance mechanisms exist for rightsholders that have been affected by AI procured by States or businesses, and how they can be strengthened; and
- The essential role of human rights defenders to support States and businesses in identifying human rights risks and preventing harm in this context.

Key objectives of the session:

• Identify key issues, actors, practices and trends that should be covered in the Working Group’s report to the Human Rights Council;
• Highlight promising policies, frameworks or regulations at the national, regional and international levels to address the human rights risks linked to the procurement and deployment of AI by States and non tech-businesses;
• Share emerging practices of non-tech business in including human rights impacts related to the procurement and deployment of AI systems in their human rights due diligence;
• Highlight key issues and challenges that are faced by CSOs, human rights defenders and workers in the context of AI systems deployed by States and non-tech businesses;
• Discuss what effective remedies are available for those whose human rights are adversely affected by AI applications used by States and non tech businesses .

Background of the discussion:

• Call for Inputs to inform the Working Group's report
• Advancing responsible development and deployment of generative AI, OHCHR ( Btech) project, 2023
• Taxonomy of Human Rights Risks connected to Generative AI, OHCHR (Btech project), 2023
• Mapping report: Human Rights and new and emerging digital technologies, OHCHR, 2024
• Recommendation on the ethics of Artificial intelligence, UNESCO 2021 and its Ethical impact Assessment, 2023
• G7 Toolkit for AI in the public sector, OECD and UNESCO, 2024
• Artificial intelligence and Human Rights, UN Global Compact Germany, 2024
• European Union AI Act, 2023
• The Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and human rights, democracy and the rule of law, Council of Europe, 2024

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?  

Snapshot co-organized by the Working Group on Business, the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the UN (HEUNI) and Coretta & Martin Luther King Institute for Peace 

This snapshot session focuses on migrant workers’ access to effective remedy in Europe, more specifically in the Nordic countries and the Baltic Sea region, discussing if and how migrant workers, who have been exploited at work, have access to effective remedy for the harm they have suffered. Migrant workers may face structural and practical barriers in accessing remedy, including lack of information about grievance mechanisms and rights, and lack of access to legal aid or other support. Well-functioning grievance mechanisms that allow for access to effective remedy may also not exist. Based on recent research findings, this session highlights the gaps in migrant workers’ access to effective remedy and discusses how to engage with key stakeholders to address these barriers in local remedy ecosystems. It presents concrete examples of stakeholder engagement that have facilitated access to effective remedy.
Key objectives:

• Address challenges and practical barriers migrant workers face in accessing remedy in the Nordic countries and the Baltic Sea region.
• Discuss how stakeholders can work together to tighten gaps along different levels of the supply chains to improve access to effective remedy.
• Emphasize the role of civil society actors in conjunction with all the other actors involved in the abuse-remedy cycle.
• Address what is needed to move a smart mix of measures from theory to practice to achieve better outcomes.
• Showcase good examples to improve migrant workers’ access to effective remedy in the Nordic countries and the Baltic Sea region based on recent research.

Snapshot co-organized by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights, ECLT Foundation and Better Cotton 

Summary 
In the agricultural sector, farmers and workers, including children face systemic human rights challenges. In response, companies, governments and multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) are collaborating to develop and implement a smart mix of measures to address them.
In this session, the ECLT Foundation and Better Cotton will share their insights as MSIs involved in developing and implementing a smart mix of measures in agriculture across various contexts and geographies.

Objectives of the session

• Explore the roles that companies, governments, and civil society can play in addressing the root causes of human rights challenges for a meaningful, sustainable change.
• Assess the landscape for collaboration among MSIs aiming to advance human rights due diligence in agriculture.

About ECLT
The ECLT Foundation works towards agriculture free of all forms of child labour: a world with thriving agricultural communities where children go to school and develop in a safe environment. Our belief is that fostering capacities and establishing enduring partnerships is the most effective approach to tackle the underlying causes of child labour.
To provide a solid foundation for our discussion, we'll be referring to a set of background documents that examine the role of multi-stakeholder initiatives in protecting human rights in agriculture.
ECLT Board Members’ Pledge of Commitment, an agreement to uphold robust policy on child labour, conduct due diligence and provide for remediation consistent with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Baseline and follow up reports on status and progress of Pledge signatories with respect to child rights due diligence in their supply chains.
Agriculture Labour Practices Code from Zimbabwe, which defines minimum standards and requirements for all companies, contractors, auction floors and growers, regardless of crop type.
Strengthening legal, policy and institutional frameworks for addressing child labour in Zimbabwe - Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare 2022 report
 
About Better Cotton
Better Cotton is a global not-for-profit organisation supporting the production of more equitable and sustainable cotton at farm level. We exist to catalyse the cotton farming community with partners, governments and others to continuously drive positive impact by setting standards and facilitating the supply and demand of more sustainable cotton from farm to brand.
In just 15 years we have aligned more than a fifth of the world’s cotton with our standard and helped farmers and farming communities thrive.
Read about Better Cotton’s approach to Decent Work here: How Better Cotton promotes decent working conditions around the world

Snapshot co-organized by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Oxfam, Women on Farms Project (South Africa) and Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)

This snapshot session focuses on concrete experiences and learnings of how to ensure meaningful rightsholder engagement in Human rights due diligence (HRDD) processes. HRDD is an important avenue to change the way companies interact with rightsholders. At the European level, CSRD and CS3D, require companies to conduct “meaningful stakeholder engagement” as part of the process. Years of holding companies to account for human rights abuses in their food supply chains, have taught ETI, Oxfam and Women on Farms Project that this sounds simple and straightforward, but it isn’t.

Colette Solomon, director of Women on Farms Project, works with women farm workers and dwellers in the Western and Northern Cape in South Africa. These women work on farms producing grapes and wines that are sold in European supermarkets, and during their work they are exposed to human rights abuses, most notably exposure to pesticide spraying. Colette will share her first-hand experience of the challenges that women farm workers experience when trying to hold companies to account for harms suffered and why/how effective human rights due diligence can potentially be a game-changer for them.

To ensure genuine interaction and dialogue, companies will be required to significantly shift how they structure and conduct engagement. It will involve building or deepening relationships and identifying opportunities for continuous engagement at each step of due diligence. Companies will need to be more transparent with affected stakeholders, reduce power imbalances, and engage in good faith with critical voices who raise concerns.

Key objectives:
The objective of this session is to increase our joint understanding of the needs of rightsholders and how these can be addressed by companies through their human rights due diligence processes.
We will unpack the key principles underlying meaningful stakeholder engagement. This will serve as the basis for more elaborated recommendations Oxfam, ETI and partners are developing for companies on this key issue in human rights due diligence.
Background documents: 

• Meaningful rights holder engagement: an introduction – Oxfam US (2023)
• Human Rights Impact Assessment Framework - Oxfam (2023)
• Community voice in human rights impact assessments – Oxfam US (2015)
• Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement in Human Rights Due Diligence Processes: A Practical Guide – Oxfam Intermón (2023)
• Grievance Mechanisms in Agriculture Synthesis Report (available in English, Spanish, Italian and French) (ETI, 2023)
• Recommendations for effective operational grievance mechanisms (ETI, 2023)
• Access to Remedy Principles for Migrant Workers (ETI, 2021)
• Access to remedy - practical guidance for companies (ETI, 2019)

Session co-organized by the Working Group on business and human rights, ILGA World and PGLE


Brief Description of the Session:
LGBTI+ persons are disproportionately affected by business activities, facing discrimination and violence that impact their rights to equality and non-discrimination and lead to compounding violations of other human rights. Discrimination and attacks occur in various forms, including harassment in the workplace, stigmatization on social media, biased representation in advertising, and exclusion in sports. These risks are exacerbated by intersectional discrimination involving factors such as race, ethnicity, disability, age, migratory status, and more. Hostile cultural, social, and legal environments further restrict the corporate respect for human rights of LGBTI+ persons.

This session will explore different measures implemented by States, businesses and other stakeholders to address gaps in protecting and respecting the rights of LGBTI+ persons in the context of business activities. Drawing on the recent report to the General Assembly by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, titled “Protecting and respecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons in the context of business activities: fulfilling obligations and responsibilities under the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”, the session aims to identify effective strategies and share good practices in this field by fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders.

Key Specific Objectives of the Session:
· Identify the key challenges for the respect of LGBTI+ rights in the context of business activities.
· Discuss the "smart mix of measures" necessary from States to adequately protect the rights of LGBTI+ persons against business abuses, highlighting emerging regulatory initiatives, policies and adjudications at the national, regional, and international levels.
· Exchange on business actions to prevent and redress human rights abuses against LGBTI+ persons in the workplace, marketplace, supply chain and communities where they operate, including when operating in jurisdictions that criminalize consensual same sex relationships.
· Explore how meaningful engagement with LGBTI+ persons, organisations defending LGBTI+ rights, and trade unions can be fostered to enhance the respect of the rights of LGBTI+ persons.
· Promote collaboration among stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society, and LGBTI+ persons.

Key Discussion Questions:
1. What are the most pressing challenges faced by LGBTI+ persons in the context of business activities?
2. What measures should States take to include consideration on LGBTI+ persons in NAP, mandatory human rights due diligence and to repel or amend any regulations that would hamper business respect of the rights of LGBTI+ persons?
3. How does policy coherence look like with regards to guaranteeing the rights of all in the context of business activities?
4. How could the UN Standards of Conduct for Business in Tackling Discrimination Against LGBTI People be effectively implemented to guide businesses in progressing beyond merely respecting the rights of their LGBTI employees in countries with established legal protections, to actively promoting and defending these rights in regions where such protections are limited or non-existent?
5. How could businesses address backlashes and legal risks when respecting the rights of LGBTI+ persons in their operations and value chains?
6. How can State-based judicial and non-judicial mechanisms, as well as operational-level grievance mechanisms be strengthened to address rights violations against LGBTI+ persons?
7. What role can stakeholders play in fostering collaboration and sharing good practices to advance LGBTI+ rights in the business sector?

Background reading:
· Protecting and respecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons in the context of business activities: fulfilling obligations and responsibilities under the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights –Working Group report A/79/178
· UN Standards of Conduct for Business Tackling Discrimination Against Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, & Intersex People, · Gender Dimensions of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights – Working Group report A/HRC/41/43

Session co-organized by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)


Description of the session:
The “smart mix of measures” – national, international, voluntary and mandatory – has been central to the realization of the UN Guiding principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). Already into the second decade of implementation of the UNGPs, this is an appropriate moment to reflect on what the “smart mix of measures” means for the African continent now and into the future.
Increased foreign direct and local investments in key sectors in Africa, including infrastructure development, extractive industries, agriculture, natural resource exploitation and manufacturing, highlights the need to build capacities and strengthen regulatory frameworks promoting and protecting human rights in the context of business activities in Africa.
States in the African continent are increasingly taking action to address the adverse impacts of business activities on people and the environment. Recent developments at national level, including through the adoption of national action plans on business and human rights, as well as sector-specific legislation on issues of business and human rights such as on labour rights, non-discrimination, environment, land, anti-corruption and privacy, show that action is possible in all these areas, and that government leadership from the top is a critical factor.
With the adoption of new regulation at international and regional level, such as EU regulations, particularly the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), as well as national human rights due diligence requirements in countries like France and Germany, States and businesses in Africa are facing new expectations. The session will discuss the key notion of “smart mix of measures” and what its realization means concretely in and for African countries and actors. It will also consider the importance for African Governments, businesses, communities and rightsholders to understand implications and opportunities arising from such regulatory developments as drivers for strengthening business respect for human rights.
The fundamental challenge going forward is to scale up the good practices that are emerging and address remaining gaps and challenges in the continent. This will require concerted efforts by all actors and meaningful stakeholders’ engagement.
This session will offer participants a multi-stakeholder platform to explore the specific application and implementation of a “smart mix” of measures to promote and implement the UNGPs in Africa, and to further invigorate emphasis on collaborative efforts to advance business respect for human rights and to strengthen access to effective remedy when harm happens.

Session objectives:

• Identify positive practice, gaps and challenges in existing laws, policies and current business and government practice;
• Develop practical pathways for how the UNGPs as a policy and normative framework can be better leveraged to bring States, businesses, and civil society together and generate sustainable and inclusive solutions to address business-related human rights challenges in Africa;
• Highlight emerging good practices; and how key stakeholders — States, businesses, NHRIs, civil society organizations, trade unions and the investment community— can contribute to the scaling-up effective human rights due diligence processes, including through a rights-holder’s centred approach and meaningful, inclusive, and effective multi-stakeholder engagement;
• Discuss the anticipated implications of international, regional and national regulatory developments and what it is needed from States and businesses in the region to ensure that legal developments in other regions result in positive outcomes for stakeholders in Africa;
• Identify measures to strengthen policy coherence when setting and developing policy and regulation.

Snapshot co-organized by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the Business & Human Rights Resource Center

Climate change is both a growing catastrophe and an enormous opportunity for the world. It requires a rapid, global energy transition. The speed of the shift will depend on the scale and scope of investment available. But it will also depend on building broad public support, and particularly from those directly affected by renewable mega-projects and the vast new transition mineral operations essential to powering them. Replicating abuses of the traditional extractive sector risks further entrenching power inequalities between workers and frontline communities – many of which are Indigenous Peoples – and companies, threatening the transition as a whole, as rightsholders increasingly reject abuse and unfair terms.
A smart mix of measures – national, international, voluntary and mandatory – can mitigate these risks and provide pathways to a just energy transition grounded in a corporate duty of care for human rights, fair negotiations, and commitment by business, investors, and governments to true shared prosperity. The mix includes:

• New regulatory advancements and guidelines demanding human rights due diligence and increased corporate accountability from regions as diverse as Latin America, Asia, and the EU.
• A limited – but growing – set of examples of better business and investor practice reflecting commitment to an equitable, sustainable and inclusive transition that respects rights and prioritises shared benefits.
• The informed and assertive role of trade unions, workers’ organisations and Indigenous Peoples’ organisations and communities to achieve fair outcomes to negotiations.

The discussion will seek to highlight the smart mix strategies necessary to deliver a fast and fair transition and a new social contract.

Snapshot co-organized by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the Human Rights Entrepreneurs Clinic, Harvard Law School

This snapshot session will explore the content and application of the “Fourth Pillar,” an initiative which aims to center communities in the field of BHR. Despite the growth in the BHR field in recent years, communities are still too often missing from key conversations and decisions. Communities should be able to claim their place at the table, as they have first-hand understanding of what threatens their rights and have much to contribute to frameworks, processes, and practices that would better protect them. The Fourth Pillar Principles include the need to elevate community agency and tackle power imbalances that undermine communities’ rights. The Fourth Pillar Initiative seeks to have the Principles spur further action and innovation in the BHR field, adding to the “smart mix of measures” for businesses, states, civil society, and communities.

A full version of the Fourth Pillar Principles can be found at www.fourthpillarinitiative.com.

Snapshot co-organized by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights and Global Compact Network Japan 

In Japan, collaboration between corporations and civil society through dialogue has been slow to progress. Various factors contribute to this, including a cultural tendency to avoid risk and external criticism, the absence of legal requirements for human rights due diligence that includes stakeholder engagement, and a tendency to focus on short-term goals even in areas like "business and human rights," which sometimes require a long-term perspective. As a result, there is little understanding within Japanese society of the role of civil society organizations, and the concept of stakeholder engagement itself is not well understood.
In this session, Mr. Orihashi, Manager of the Sustainability Department at Fast Retailing, which operates globally, will share insights on challenges and responses based on his experience of actively engaging with stakeholders over the past few years.
GCNJ is working within the United Nations Global Compact, together with each country network, to raise awareness about the importance of stakeholder engagement for businesses. Mr. Wakabayashi, Board member of GCNJ will discuss the importance of meaningful stakeholder engagement from business and a civil society perspective. He will delve into why promoting meaningful stakeholder engagement is crucial and explore effective approaches to achieving this.

The Networking Hubs will provide an open platform designed to facilitate exchanges among diverse groups of stakeholders on the Business and Human Rights (BHR) agenda. These spaces are structured to encourage autonomous, participant-led conversations without formal speakers or panelists, fostering a free-flowing exchange of experiences and perspectives. The aim is to create a collaborative peer learning space within stakeholders, where each stakeholder group can directly engage with one another, fostering meaningful dialogue. 

The format of these spaces leverages the networking essence of the Forum, offering a flexible and open environment for different stakeholder groups to share best practices, challenges, and innovative proposals.  

Stakeholder groups: The Networking Hubs will focus on a range of pressing topics, including: 

• Government Representatives: Discussing the role of public policy, regulation, and enforcement in promoting BHR.  

No interpretation will be provided. 

The Networking Hubs will provide an open platform designed to facilitate exchanges among diverse groups of stakeholders on the Business and Human Rights (BHR) agenda. These spaces are structured to encourage autonomous, participant-led conversations without formal speakers or panelists, fostering a free-flowing exchange of experiences and perspectives. The aim is to create a collaborative peer learning space within stakeholders, where each stakeholder group can directly engage with one another, fostering meaningful dialogue. 

The format of these spaces leverages the networking essence of the Forum, offering a flexible and open environment for different stakeholder groups to share best practices, challenges, and innovative proposals.  

Stakeholder groups: The Networking Hubs will focus on a range of pressing topics, including: 

• Indigenous Peoples: Highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities related to Indigenous Peoples’ rights in business operations. 

No interpretation will be provided. 

The Networking Hubs will provide an open platform designed to facilitate exchanges among diverse groups of stakeholders on the Business and Human Rights (BHR) agenda. These spaces are structured to encourage autonomous, participant-led conversations without formal speakers or panelists, fostering a free-flowing exchange of experiences and perspectives. The aim is to create a collaborative peer learning space within stakeholders, where each stakeholder group can directly engage with one another, fostering meaningful dialogue. 

The format of these spaces leverages the networking essence of the Forum, offering a flexible and open environment for different stakeholder groups to share best practices, challenges, and innovative proposals.  

Stakeholder groups: The Networking Hubs will focus on a range of pressing topics, including: 

• National Human Rights Institutions: Sharing experiences in monitoring and promoting human rights within business  

No interpretation will be provided. 

Snapshot co-organized by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the OGEES Institute

The intersection of business activities and human rights presents a critical area for scholarly exploration and policy development. Recognizing the importance of promoting responsible business practices, protecting human rights, and fostering expertise in this field, this panel aims to establish a multisectoral platform for advancing Business and Human Rights (BHRs) education and capacity development. Furthermore, bolstering the capacity for implementing BHRs scholarship and education necessitates educational institutions to develop customized courses that offer practical, skill-based learning utilizing a diverse array of online and traditional classroom resources. Conventional human rights programs typically lack the depth required to delve into the complexities of BHRs as a unique and interdisciplinary field of study. Thus, what are the BHRs education needs of stakeholders in business, government, civil society and industry associations, and how can educators effectively meet such needs through innovative pedagogy that emphasize the smart mix of measures?

Session co-organized by the Working Group on business and human rights and Ubuntu Development Network.

Interpretation available in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Arabic

(Version française ci-jointe)
(Versión en español adjunta) 

Brief description of the session: 
This session aims to assess the role of youth-driven initiatives in bringing about real transformations through a smart mix of business and human rights measures. It will serve as a critical platform for sharing stories and examples of positive change related to business and human rights spearheaded by youth, assessing the effectiveness of these changes, especially for rights-holders, and identifying ongoing challenges. Additionally, the session will address various focused issues such as climate change and gender. Emerging and other systemic issues confronting the youth in the business and human rights agenda will also be discussed, linking the discussion to the overarching theme of transforming commitments into tangible change through youth-driven initiatives.  

Key objectives of the session: 

• Discuss how to empower youth in understanding and actively participating in the global business and human rights discourse by addressing barriers to comprehensive knowledge acquisition and presenting practical opportunities for engagement.  
• Highlight youth perspectives and practices in responsible consumerism, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development, showcasing successful youth-driven business models. 
• Discuss strategies to amplify youth voices and foster collaboration for effective change in responsible business conduct. 

Key discussion questions: 

• As young people, what challenges and opportunities have you faced with regard to advancing the business and human rights agenda, including any barriers to business and human rights knowledge? 
• How have responsible business models and strategies driven by youth helped to foster awareness, engagement, and collaboration in BHR policy development and practice? 
• What strategies can amplify youth voices and participation as levers of effective change in advancing responsible business conduct across different communities, regions, and sectors? 

 
Additional background documents: 

• OHCHR Reports on youth and human rights, including report on youth and the right to work (A/HRC/40/31)  
• OHCHR, Human rights of youth 

Session co-organized by the Working Group on business and human rights and the Danish Institute for Human Rights

Interpretation provided in English, French, and Spanish.

Brief description of the session:
This session will consider the issues pertinent to the business and human rights agenda across WEOG States. This includes the development by some States of second, or reviewed, National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights. Due to the significant developments at the EU level during 2024, and the impacts beyond the EU, there will be a special focus on mandatory human rights due diligence and the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (Directive 2024/1760 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1760/oj) which entered into force on 25 July 2024.

The aim of the EU Directive “is to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour in companies’ operations and across their global value chains. The new rules will ensure that companies in scope identify and address adverse human rights and environmental impacts of their actions inside and outside Europe” (https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/doing-business-eu/sustainability-due-diligence-responsible-business/corporate-sustainability-due-diligence_en). The Working Group conducted advocacy on the Directive, including in its statement of 7 February 2024 (https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/business/workinggroupbusiness/20240207-Corporate-Sustainability-Due-Diligence-Directive.pdf). The Working Group’s advocacy was conducted alongside that of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/02/un-human-rights-chief-urges-eu-leaders-approve-key-business-and-human-rights). This outreach sent a strong message on the need for regulation at the European level.

The session will consider the lessons learned from efforts by governments and regional entities to drive greater policy coherence on the business and human rights agenda through regulation. It will discuss how to scale up the implementation by business enterprises of the corporate responsibility to respect human rights. It will examine how to ensure that compliance with legislation by businesses does not become a formulaic “tick the box” exercise. The session will also examine some good practices followed by businesses when undertaking human rights due diligence, for example in contractual provisions in contracts along their value chains and in stakeholder engagement.

Key objectives of the session:

1. Consider developments within the WEOG region, including the development of revised National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights;
2. Clarify the key provisions of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and consider how States and businesses are responding;
3. Consider what new causes of action may arise from the Directive and what remedies might be available; and
4. Clarify what effectiveness of these pieces of legislation means for the different stakeholders.

Key discussion questions: 

1. What needs to happen in the WEOG region in terms of policy and legislation to further develop the business and human rights agenda? What role is played by National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights in this regard?

2. What can be learned from the processes followed during the drafting and negotiation of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive?

3. What factors should all stakeholders consider when contemplating drafting legislation on mandatory human rights due diligence and other regulation relevant to the business and human rights agenda?

 
Background reading: 
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1760/oj

https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/doing-business-eu/sustainability-due-diligence-responsible-business/corporate-sustainability-due-diligence_en

https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/business/workinggroupbusiness/20240207-Corporate-Sustainability-Due-Diligence-Directive.pdf

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/02/un-human-rights-chief-urges-eu-leaders-approve-key-business-and-human-rights

“Supporting the implementation of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive in global supply chains involving smallholders and their communities” https://fairtrade-advocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CSDDD_Accompanying-Measures.pdf

Snapshot co-organized by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

The “Litigating Business & Human Rights” snapshot will feature an engaging and dynamic conversation between Deborah Enix-Ross, Senior Advisor for Global Engagement at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, and past-President of the American Bar Association, and Daisuke Takahashi, Partner at Shinwa Law, Co-Chair of the International Bar Association’s Business & Human Rights Committee, and Representative Director of the Japan Center for Engagement and Remedy on Business and Human Rights. Deborah and Daisuke will discuss the role of litigation in the “smart mix” of judicial and non-judicial mechanisms in the enforcement of business and human rights. Speakers will focus on the advantages and limitations of litigation, the challenges of achieving meaningful remedy, the function of lawyers in business and human rights litigation, and the role of the UNGPs and the draft treaty in litigating business and human rights.

Snapshot co-organized by the Working Group on Business and Human Rights and Centre for Sports and Human Rights

In the past decade, the UNGPs became the authoritative framework in the world of sport, in particular for organizing and staging mega-sporting events (MSEs), like the Olympic and Paralympic Games, or world or regional championships of a specific sport. A smart mix of human rights policies, requirements and provisions in hosting regulations and contracts, and human rights strategies, working groups, advisory boards, and guidances are currently in place, issued by sports bodies, governments and international organizations.

While there has been a strong increase in human rights standards, the information on the way these standards are being enforced is just emerging. This snapshot session reflects on the effectiveness of human rights due diligence measures that were implemented for UEFA’s EURO 2024 that took place in Germany in the summer of this year, with a specific focus on the Human Rights Advisory Board and grievance mechanism that UEFA and the event organizers established. A conversation between members of the board and representatives of UEFA will highlight some of the challenges and lessons learned regarding human rights due diligence for mega-sporting events.