GENEVA - Efforts to protect and respect human rights must not be weakened as the world faces a convergence of crises, from geopolitical instability and climate breakdown, to rapid technological change, rising inequalities and increasingly complex global value chains, the Working Group on Business and Human Rights said today, ahead of convening the 14th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights.
Meeting under the theme "Accelerating action on business and human rights amid crises and transformations," the Forum will take place in Geneva from 24 to 26 November 2025.
Established by the UN Human Rights Council and grounded in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights is the leading platform for assessing progress, addressing challenges, and advancing solutions to prevent and remedy business-related human rights impacts. It is guided and chaired by the five experts* of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights. More than 4,000 participants joined the 2024 Forum.
"Human rights duties and responsibilities do not pause because the world is in crisis," the Working Group said. "We call on States and businesses to demonstrate bold leadership and renewed action to prevent and remedy harm to people and the planet as the global landscape evolves."
As the world's largest global gathering on business and human rights, the Forum brings together governments, businesses, civil society, trade unions, Indigenous Peoples, international organisations, affected communities, and others. Sessions will focus on a range of urgent issues, including meaningful human rights due diligence in the most challenging situations, enhancing access to justice and effective remedies, as well as upholding international human rights standards in areas such as labour migration, technology and artificial intelligence, climate change and environmental action.
Resisting pushbacks on commitments to gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and mandatory human rights legislation, as well as spotlighting the critical voices of young people, and defending the legitimate work of human rights defenders and Indigenous Peoples in advancing the business and human rights agenda, will also feature prominently throughout the programme.
"This Forum is designed to bring local realities to the global level, and discuss how the shift from policy commitments to real impact can be achieved," the experts said. "We will highlight where progress is occurring and where action is urgently needed."
The Working Group stressed that business respect for human rights remains central to safeguarding dignity, promoting equality, and ensuring that no one is left behind.
"Crises can lead to transformation when societies come together and reinforce their shared commitments to justice and inclusion."
Despite the UN's ongoing liquidity crisis, along with other operational challenges, the Working Group is committed to deliver another meaningful Forum. "Amid geopolitical uncertainty, the Forum remains essential to identifying collective solutions and forging pathways to build resilience and ensure a just future for all."
"We look forward to advancing this agenda with all stakeholders," they said.
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