United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights

United Nations Forum on Business and
Human Rights
© UN photo / Jean-Marc Ferré

The UN Human Rights Council, under paragraph 12 of its resolution 17/4, decided to establish a Forum on Business and Human Rights under the guidance of the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises to:

“discuss trends and challenges in the implementation of the Guiding Principles [on Business and Human Rights] and promote dialogue and cooperation on issues linked to business and human rights, including challenges faced in particular sectors, operational environments or in relation to specific rights or groups, as well as identifying good practices.”

As per Human Rights Council resolution 17/4, the Forum is open to all relevant stakeholder groups, including States, the wider United Nations system, intergovernmental and regional organisations, businesses, labour unions, national human rights institutions, non-governmental organizations, and affected stakeholders, among others.

The first Forum was held in Geneva on 3-5 December 2012 and attracted around 1,000 participants from more than 80 countries. This first Forum focused on taking stock of implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human rights to date, highlighting challenges to implementation for States, business, and civil society, and identifying and discussing good practices. The Forum included more than 20 official sessions. Videos and materials from the first Forum can be found here.

The second Forum will be held in Geneva on 2-4 December 2013. The Forum agenda and information on registering will be posted on this website from late August 2013.

Click here to read the full Human Rights Council resolution 17/4.