UNDP B+HR

At the #UNForumBHR this week, we’ve been busy behind the scenes 🎬 creating something we’re really excited about: an e-course on heightened human rights due diligence (hHRDD) for businesses in conflict-affected contexts.   Launching in 2025, this scenario-based course will build on our foundational guide on #hHRDD, and provide businesses with actionable steps, practical tools and insights to navigate the complexities of conflict responsibly.   As part of the course development 🎥, we’ve captured insights from leading experts like:  🔹 Andrea Shemberg 🔹 Anita Ramasastry 🔹 Gerald Pachoud 🔹 Jonathan Kolieb 🔹 Siniša Milatović, PhD 🔹 Greg Connor   These conversations are packed with knowledge and real-world experience...and they’re going straight ➡️ into the course.   Stay tuned for updates 🛠️ as we explore what responsible business looks like in the toughest contexts. And in the meantime, explore our guide for businesses in conflict contexts to get started: 📖 https://lnkd.in/e_ZGgQYZ   #ResponsibleBusiness #BizHumanRights

I am absolutely honored to have chaired this incredible, multi-stakeholder and frank panel dedicated to discuss the complex and urgent issues of Business and Human Rights in the Middle East and North Africa region. I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who made my participation possible, and to all stakeholders involved in making this Business and Human Rights Forum a success. Here's the video link if you missed the session https://lnkd.in/gA9Mbtuz #UNForumBHR #MENA #BHR #Geneva

📢 B+HR Academy As part of its #BizHumanRights project, UNDP in India in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) & IDH are inviting all businesses for a 2-day workshop on 'Responsible Business Practices' for the Textile and Apparel sector. 🗓️: 5 & 6 December ⏰: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM IST 📍: Aerocity, New Delhi RSVP: https://bit.ly/3ZpJHle Join the discussion alongside JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization , Embassy of Japan, UNDP B+HR, UNDP in Asia and the Pacific

🔔 Full house 🔔 at the #UNForumBHR side event    Yesterday, EU and UNDP gathered 2️⃣5️⃣0️⃣➕participants from governments, businesses, investors, CSOs, Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights Defenders & others to discuss the ingredients for successful #CSDDD implementation, including:    🛣️ More practical guidance  🏛️ Strengthened laws  💪 Capacity-building of suppliers  🗣️ Stakeholder engagement  🔛 Starting now! 

Join us for the upcoming #UNForumBHR session on the "Smart Mix in Action: Progress and Opportunities for Advancing Business and Human Rights in Africa", co-organized by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, United Nations Human Rights, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and UNDP. 👉 https://sched.co/1gey9 We'll explore how a "smart mix" of measures - national, international, voluntary, and mandatory - can drive meaningful progress. From national action plans to sector-specific legislation and global regulations like the EU #CS3D, this session will dive into what’s working, what’s challenging, and where we go from here. Join an inspiring panel of experts and practitioners who are driving this conversation forward: 🔹 Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, FCIArb, UNWG 🔹 Roselyn Hanzi, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) 🔹 Lucius Pendame, Malawi Human Rights Commission 🔹 Bako Nirina Ranjevasoa, Ministry of Mines (Madagascar) 🔹 Ncumisa Willie, Vodacom Group 🔹Mercy Obonyo, Independent Expert on Business and Human Rights

Huge thanks to the 250+ people who joined us today for the Side Session of the #UNForumBHR on EU CS3D. The interest was exceptional with participants who could not find a seat standing and sitting on the floor. Sincere apologies to those who could not enter the room anymore. We had to refuse additional attendance for security reasons. Big thanks to European Commission for the team work in organizing this. Thanks to Shift Project for providing a great moderator and gratitude to all panelists. Olga Nilova Ralf Sauer Mauricio L. Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, FCIArb Agi Veres Katy Thompson Marcos Neto UNDP B+HR Ruben Zandvliet Rachel Davis Heidi Hautala

Stakeholder engagement 🔁 has become a cornerstone of business and human rights practices. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱. Too often, rights holders - the people most directly impacted by business activities - are left out of the conversation. Their voices are replaced by agencies, consultancies, or proxies whose interests may not fully align. 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 to actively shape outcomes, not just processes. At an event hosted by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Ethical Trading Initiative and UK Mission Geneva, our #BizHumanRights Specialist Harpreet Kaur delved into how to achieve a smart mix of measures: balancing voluntary and mandatory approaches while respecting local realities. 🔑 The key takeaway? 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲. How do we achieve this? 1️⃣ Recognize the diversity of experiences and impacts among rights holders. 2️⃣ Confront and address power imbalances in consultations to create equitable, meaningful engagement. 💡 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴? 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯? ---- Thank you to the organizers and the other speakers for bringing together this important session! 🙏 Emilie Paradiso Cara Casey-Boyce Ella Penton-Voak Natasha Jung Charles Kent Robert McCorquodale Giles Bolton

At the opening of #UNForumBHR, the Minister of Human Rights of the Democratic Republic of Congo Chantal Chambu Mwavita shared an important reminder: respect for human rights in the mining sector ⚒ isn’t just necessary - it’s non-negotiable. As a key player in global supply chains, the DRC’s mining sector carries both opportunity and responsibility. Together with the Government of DRC 🇨🇩, UNDP is working to embed human rights at the core of mining practices. Our partnership aims to foster responsible business practices that protect workers, support communities, and drive inclusive, sustainable development.

Will you join the #UNForumBHR side event “Making #CSDDD Work for All” to discuss: 🗂️ CS3D elements  🎯 Challenges & opportunities   🛟 Support needed & available ---- 📆 26 Nov @ 6.10 pm  📍 Building H, Palais des Nations  🚀 + Informal Reception