Regional Business and Human Rights Forums and Dialogues
To promote collective stakeholder action for advancing the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), UNDP and its partners convene regional forums and dialogues.
Regional forums and dialogues on business and human rights are informed by outcomes of national forums and dialogues convened by UNDP and its partners at the country level.
Insights and recommendations generated during regional forums and dialogues on business and human rights contribute to region-specific sessions at the UN Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights.
OBJECTIVES
- Raise awareness of governments’ duties and businesses’ responsibilities under the UNGPs
- Raise awareness of global and regional trends in the implementation of the UNGPs, including on business and human rights regulatory measures and their potential regional impacts
- Take stock of the progress, challenges, and opportunities for advancing the implementation of the UNGPs across the region and generate recommendations for its acceleration
- Promote policy coherence on responsible business practices at national and regional levels
- Establish a multi-stakeholder network to facilitate South-South and North-South exchanges, peer learning, and collaboration on business and human rights
- Provide a safe space for affected rights holders to voice concerns about the adverse impacts of irresponsible business practices on their rights and to participate in policy making
- Promote UNDP global and regional knowledge products and practical tools on business and human rights, such as the Human Rights Due Diligence Facilitation Guide, Guide for Business on Heightened Human Rights Due Diligence in Conflict-Affected Contexts, Routes to Remedy Toolkit for Human Rights Defenders, and Practical Tool on Human Rights Due Diligence.
Explore information on upcoming regional forums and dialogues by region.
3rd African Business and Human Rights Forum
Dates: 8-10 October 2024
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Theme: Promoting Responsible Business Conduct in a Rapidly Changing Context
Co-organizers: UNDP, African Union, OHCHR, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UNICEF
Supported by: Government of the Netherlands, Government of the United Kingdom
Forum website and registration: www.bhrafricaforum.org
Inaugural Business and Human Rights Dialogue in the Arab States Region
Dates: 28-30 October 2024
Location: Doha, Qatar
Theme: Charting the Course for Responsible Business Practices in the Arab States Region
Co-organizers: UNDP, Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions, Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee, OHCHR, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights
Supported by: Government of the Netherlands
Forum website and registration: https://www.bhr-arabstates.com
6th UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum, Asia-Pacific
Dates: 24-27 September 2024
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Theme: The Remedy Blueprint: Bridging Gaps and Accelerating Access
Co-organizers: UNDP, ILO, IOM, OHCHR, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, UN-Women, UNEP, UNICEF
Supported by: Governments of Sweden, Japan and the European Union
Forum website and registration: www.rbhrforum.com
4th UN Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights for Europe and Central Asia
Dates: 11-12 November 2024
Location: Budva, Montenegro
Theme: The EU Policy and Regulatory Impact on Business and Human Rights (TBC)
Co-organizers: UNDP, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights
Supported by: Sweden, Türkiye
Forum website and registration: www.businesshumanrights-ecis.com
Caribbean Business and Human Rights Dialogue
Dates: 2025