The annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights took place the week of November 27 in Geneva. As the world’s largest conference on business and human rights (BHR), it convened governments, business, civil society, experts and practitioners to discuss the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, share best practices and learn about BHR initiatives from all regions.

According to USCIB Director for Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs Ewa Staworzynska, this year’s discussions were marked by the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights, as well as the 12th year since the adoption of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). There was broad consensus that more progress was needed on human rights and many stakeholders called for a stronger role to be played by business. Emphasis was placed on leveraging the UNGPs in emerging topics such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and environmental protection.

The American business community actively engaged across the various discussions at the UN Forum and USCIB member companies, including Hewlett-Packard and Google, were featured in plenary sessions to share their valuable contributions to the human rights agenda. The commitment to progress on human rights was also underscored in the dialogue with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, during a Business Caucus organized by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), as well as in a business meeting with the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Youssef A. Al Nashif.

USCIB and the U.S. Mission in Geneva co-organized a dialogue between USCIB member companies and the U.S. Government delegation to the UN Forum. The dialogue allowed for an open discussion among businesses and representatives from the U.S. Departments of State and Labor and USAID, on key topics such as the UN Legally Binding Instrument on Business and Human Rights, AI, due diligence trends and labor rights.

The USCIB delegation was led by President and CEO Whitney Baird and included Ewa Staworzynska, director for corporate responsibility and labor affairs and Jose Arroyo, policy manager.

“We are thrilled to lead the U.S. business engagement at the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights,” said Baird. “The presence and participation of U.S. companies highlights the private sector’s commitment to advancing human rights globally, and it is imperative that we do so in alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”