Calendar10 December 2024

The forum is the global platform for yearly stock-taking and lesson-sharing on efforts to put the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights into practice.

The 13th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, held on 25-27 November 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland, provided an important opportunity to engage with and hear from key stakeholders, reflect on the impact of the UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) since their implementation, and assess the way forward.

The Ipieca secretariat and 20 representatives from 9 member companies participated alongside over 3,000 representatives from UN bodies, government, businesses, community groups, civil society, law firms, investor organizations, national human rights institutions, trade unions and academia.

The forum’s sessions reflected this year’s theme, ‘Realizing the “smart mix of measures” to protect human rights in the context of business activities’. Some topics emerged as key themes:

  • A smart mix of regulatory and voluntary measures can provide clarity and ensure a level playing field. Sessions highlighted the need for legislations and regulations aligned with international labour rights standards, well-resourced inspections, and an enabling environment for sustainable enterprise development.
  • The global nature of value chains emphasises the need for strong partnerships and capacity-building support for small and medium enterprise to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices and prevent human rights abuses.
  • The need for effective accountability and remedy mechanisms, and free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) to protect communities, human rights defenders and Indigenous People’s rights and safety.
  • The necessity of meaningful collaboration with different stakeholders, including public authorities, businesses, civil society and unions, to advance human rights and ensure effective policy cooperation.
  • The importance of building on lessons learned when divesting in the context of a just transition.

Alongside the forum’s general sessions, Ipieca organized bilateral meetings with several key stakeholders and members on recent activities, upcoming priorities, human rights legislations and stakeholder expectations.

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.

Ipieca provides global leadership on the interaction between the industry, people and communities by acting as a unique forum to promote high standards and share good practice. Ipieca works to advance a people-centred just transition. Find out how here.

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