The overarching theme of the 14th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, held on 24-26 November 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, was ‘Accelerating action on business and human rights amidst crises and transformations’. This year was an important opportunity to engage with stakeholders, reflect on the impact of the UNGPs implementation, and assess the way forward in a challenging context for advancing the human rights and business agenda.
The Ipieca secretariat and 21 representatives from 9 member companies participated alongside over 4,650 representatives from UN bodies, government, businesses, community groups, civil society, law firms, investor organisations, national human rights institutions, trade unions and academia. The strong representation from the private sector—accounting for 27% of all participants—underscored the corporate sector's dedication to enhancing human rights performance.
Key themes
- Human rights due diligence (HRDD) was a key theme throughout the Forum. Stakeholders highlighted that there is a need for more coherent, people-centred approaches to due diligence, more capacity-building, and long-term dialogue and partnerships with stakeholders to advance standards. Greater transparency across supply chains was emphasised, mentioning that corporate responsibility extends beyond first-tier suppliers
- Just transition: the Forum underscored the importance for business to partner with people and communities as part of the energy transition and ensure that costs and benefits of climate change, and of mitigation and adaptation actions are distributed fairly across stakeholders
- Power, technology and human rights: new technologies like AI—pose risks to human rights. It was emphasised that it is crucial for governments and companies to collaborate and ensure technology advances human rights and public good
- Migrant workers and those in informal economies are among the most affected by current global crises. Despite their significant contributions, they are much more likely to experience forced labour. There is a push for fair recruitment, worker protection, and greater transparency across supply chains
- Indigenous peoples’ culture and livelihoods are deeply tied to land. There was a strong call for respect of their fundamental rights, and for their participation in decision-making processes
To find out more, you can find recordings from the Forum sessions via this link.
Alongside the Forum’s general sessions, Ipieca organised bilateral meetings with several key stakeholders and members on upcoming priorities and evolving stakeholder expectations on corporate responsibility, human rights and climate change.
Through its knowledge sharing and opportunity to engage with key stakeholders, the forum helps Ipieca’s ongoing work to raise awareness and support for the UNGPs, aligned with the fifth Ipieca Principle.
