1st UN Pacific Forum on Business and Human Rights

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The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) are the authoritative global standard to promote business respect for human rights. Several states in Asia have been taking steps to implement the UNGPs by developing a national action plan on business and human rights (NAP) or by taking other legal-policy measures. Various business enterprises are also responding to growing expectations of stakeholders to respect human rights by conducting human rights due diligence. However, the progress in the Pacific region has been slow so far. This session will examine different pathways for states in the Pacific to implement the UNGPs and make linkages with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will also discuss why state and businesses should take seriously the business and human rights agenda.

This session aims to:

• Explore different pathways for the Pacific states to implement the UNGPs;
• Learn from the experience of other states in Asia to implement the UNGPs by developing a stand-alone NAP or by taking other measures; and
• Discuss how the NAPs in the Pacific region could also assist states in implementing the SDGs and overcoming other local challenges such as environmental pollution, climate change and gender-based violence.

Session organized by UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights.