UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights

Excellent closing to the 13th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights! Thank you for being part of this year’s Forum. We hope it inspired and informed your work on #BizHumanRights! Fernanda Hopenhaym Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, FCIArb Robert McCorquodale Pichamon Yeophantong, PhD Lyra Jakuleviciene

Update: [Notice of postponement] Due to unforeseen circumstances, we regret to inform you that the event scheduled for this date has been postponed. [Event postponed] Event title: What is a “Smart Mix” for Business and Human Rights in Japan? –What the revised NAP needs for effective remedies Initially scheduled date: 15 January The new date is currently being arranged, and we also plan to distribute a recording of the event at a later date. We will inform you of the details as soon as they are confirmed. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to those who have already made arrangements. We ask for your continued understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Human Rights Now 📢 Event Announcement What is a 'Smart Mix' for Business and Human Rights in Japan? ‐What the Revised NAP Needs for Effective Remedies The final report of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, released in May 2024, highlighted critical challenges in Japan's approach to business and human rights, calling for specific reforms in government and corporate practices. This webinar will dive into the ongoing revision of Japan’s National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights. Building on discussions from a side event co-hosted with NGOs from South Korea and Taiwan during the November 2024 Business and Human Rights Forum, we will explore: ✅ Measures to secure effective remedies for human rights violations caused by business activities; ✅ The need for legislation on human rights due diligence (HRDD) from the perspective of rights holders. Join us as we analyze Japan’s current state of business and human rights, the importance of HRDD legislation, and recommendations for the revised NAP based on the UN report’s findings. We are honored to welcome Pichamon Yeophantong, PhD, member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, who will provide insights into the latest international developments and expectations for Japan’s NAP. 📅 Date and Time: Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 16:00-18:00 (JST) 🖥️ Format: Online (Pre-registration required) 🤝 Organizer: Human Rights Now 🔗 For details and registration, visit: https://lnkd.in/geVs2cS9 Note: Support tickets serve as participation fees. Donation receipts cannot be issued. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with global experts and drive meaningful change!

We must recognize that businesses, especially transnational corporations, wield enormous power and influence. It is therefore naïve to expect all businesses, everywhere and every time, to take actions on their own. This is why the significance of this ongoing effort towards a legally binding instrument, that outlines responsibility of businesses to respect human rights and contribute to sustainable development, cannot be overemphasized. 📽️: United Nations Human Rights Full statement: https://lnkd.in/dcYf8QQM

It was my pleasure today, on behalf of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, to welcome delegates to the 10th Session of the open-ended intergovernmental working group on the legally binding instrument that kicked off today in Geneva, Switzerland. In my opening remarks, I emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum towards a legally binding instrument on #bizhumanrights to entrench rights-based business activities that advance sustainable development. Follow the rest of the session this week here: https://lnkd.in/d6qyupBA #sdgs #sustainabledevelopment #esg #humanrights #responsiblebusiness #entrepreneurship #law #business

The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, represented by Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, FCIArb, participated in the 30th Annual Meeting of the UN Special Procedures in Geneva, a week of dialogue on important issues and ideas on advancing #HumanRights.

Happy Human Rights Day everyone 😊 I know I’m not very active on social media. But given that it's #HumanRightsDay today -- and inspired by this fascinating #ILO-#NRC-#KIET workshop I’m joining in #Seoul -- now seems to be the perfect moment to post this EOY 'stock-take' of my time on the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights. In 2.5 years on the Working Group, I've had the privilege of: ➡️ Delivering 350+ keynote speeches and remarks in person and online in 20+ countries spanning all regions of the world on various topics related to #business and human rights. Memorable experiences include speaking alongside the incomparable Christine Kaufmann and Mia Seppo at the OECD - OCDE's Ministerial Meeting on RBC in the Global Economy, co-organizing with OHCHR and the amazing Romchat Wachirarattanakornkul the very #first UN Human Rights Dialogue on Investors and the Environment in 2023…and so many more! ➡️ Engaging in/learning from 600+ meetings/consultations with all stakeholder groups, at all times of day, on BHR issues. ➡️ Leading/joining 3 Country Visits to #Argentina, #Japan, and #Colombia. ➡️ Leading/contributing to 5 thematic reports to the UN Human Rights Council and General Assembly. ➡️ Co-organizing/joining 11 UN annual and regional Forums on Business and Human Rights. ➡️ Overseeing/contributing to 120+ communications from UN Special Procedures concerning BHR cases in the Asia-Pacific region. ➡️ Meeting an incredible number of inspiring individuals and organizations that are seeking to advance the #UNGPs and wider BHR agenda (you know who you are 🙂) Much of this was made possible as a result of collaboration with Working Group/Secretariat colleagues, with UN agencies/other partner entities, and with numerous people who generously spared their time and shared insights. (I should also thank Deakin University for giving me some time from my academic role to do this work!) Crucially, these engagements are made all the more meaningful because of the #impact we’ve had on the ground -- examples which I’ll share in another post. For now, looking ahead to 2025, I hope colleagues here and elsewhere will continue to lend me your #strength so that we can reach new heights in the implementation of the UNGPs. And to friends who’ve been with me through the ups and the downs, #thanks so much for everything 🙏

What a whirlwind! The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights’ 2024 UN Annual #Forum on #Business and Human #Rights was yet another success, with a record-breaking number of participants and a stellar cast of session speakers and chairs 🙌 All the sessions I’d attended were highlights in their own right, but I was especially proud and happy to see the big turn-out for the session on: “#Land rights of #Indigenous Peoples in the context of land acquisition” (watch it again here: https://lnkd.in/ggJ7-mtU). Such an important and timely topic, discussed by compelling speakers! It was also energizing to see even more #AsiaPacific colleagues in attendance at this year’s Forum — a fact reflected in the equally excellent turn-out, remarks, and interventions at our session on: “Do National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights Work in the Asia-Pacific?” (check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gVvAYZ8w). I also had the pleasure of chairing and speaking on other fabulous sessions and side events, including a consultation for our upcoming thematic report to the UN #GeneralAssembly on #migration and BHR; a snapshot session on the ‘#Fourth Pillar’; and a super-packed session on the topic of eradicating child and forced #labor through global #partnerships. It was likewise fantastic to join three side events, with two launching new #reports: one on #mHRDD developments in #Northeast Asia (see: https://lnkd.in/gjtGeJwP), and the other on Indigenous #leadership and partnerships for a #justtransition (see: https://lnkd.in/gjnTkE7C). Huge thanks to everyone who joined, supported, and contributed to making this Forum a resounding success! To all the speakers, chairs and coorganizers of these sessions and side events, a special thank you for being such a joy to work with 😊 (Here’s hoping that we’ll see even greater Asia-Pacific #representation and participation at this global level in 2025!) Krizel Patolot Malabanan Alancay Morales Garro Romchat Wachirarattanakornkul Githa Roelans Aparna Basnyat Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) Adrian Pereira Human Rights Now Global International Trade Union Confederation - ITUC Jason Pegat-Toquet Ryutaro / 隆太郎 Ogawa / 小川 Ivann Liberatore Miyuki Zeniya Porokwa Edward Paula Andrea Villa Vélez Tulia Machado-Helland IOM - UN Migration IOM Thailand International Labour Organization Global Compact Network Japan Ana Žbona Business & Human Rights Resource Centre KEIICHI UJIIE Yuka Yamaguchi Akiko SATO Emily Ray The Indigenous Peoples Rights International Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy (AIPNEE) and other colleagues not findable on LinkedIn!

Great to be back at the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat to attend the Transitional Justice conference organized by the National Human Rights Council of Morocco, under the High Patronage of His Majesty the King. In my address, I discussed the crucial roles of business enterprises to support transitional justice processes and remedy efforts. A special highlight of the day for me was the opportunity to listen to the cherished thoughts of Nobel Laureate and literary icon, Professor Wole Soyinka of Nigeria, on the power of education and reorientation in transitional justice efforts. Special thanks to the Chairperson of the Moroccan National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), Bouayach Amina and her entire team for such a timely and successful conference, and for inviting me. #transitionaljustice #humanrights #sdgs #sustainabledevelopment #law #development #justice #remedy #Morocco #Africa #esg #bizhumanrights #responsiblebusiness #accesstoremedy

I urge business leaders who recognise the immense value of human rights in their practices to use their influence and help steer our world towards the right path. UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, your leadership is crucial in re-thinking the power of human rights in shaping the future of business. This must be a unified effort – States, businesses, civil society, trade unions, human rights defenders, Indigenous Peoples, and all of us – working together to realise the full potential of human rights. https://lnkd.in/eZRscYv5