Doha – The United Nations Development Programme, in partnership with Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee, Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions, Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, and the United Nations Children's Fund, is hosting the Inaugural Dialogue on Business and Human Rights (BHR) in the Arab States Region on October 28-29, 2024. The event is taking place in Doha, Qatar, with a hybrid format allowing for both in-person and online participation.
Why this event matters
 

Focusing on the theme “Charting the Course for Responsible Business Practices in the Arab States Region”, the dialogue is bringing together high-level representatives from governments, businesses, civil society organizations, National Human Rights Institutions, and international bodies to explore key aspects of business and human rights. The event aims to address the unique challenges and opportunities for advancing business and human rights in the region, with a focus on the following:

• Development and implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) on business and human rights.
• Corporate human rights due diligence, including in conflict-affected contexts and with environmental dimensions.
• Ensuring access to effective remedies for affected rightsholders.
• Regional impacts of emerging business and human rights regulations.

Distinguished speakers at the opening session include H.E. Ms. Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, Chairperson, Qatar National Human Rights Committee and President, GANHRI; H.E. Mr. Sultan Ben Hassan Al Jamali, Secretary-General, Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions; Prof. Damilola Sunday Olawuyi, Member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights; and Mr. Biplove Choudhary, Technical Representative and Head of Office, UNDP Qatar.

In her opening speech, H.E Mrs. Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah stressed: However, a human rights-based approach to business requires the joint efforts of all stakeholders, including businesses, national institutions, worker representative bodies, human rights defenders, local communities, environmental stakeholders, and governments that have a responsibility to implement and protect human rights in the context of business, through the adoption of legislative measures and public policies and the empowerment of affected rights holders to resort to effective remedies. Adding that an accurate and fair diagnosis would lead to sustainable solutions, Al-Attiyah stressed the progress made in the Arab region in general, and in the State of Qatar in particular, and said: The National Human Rights Committee has recorded many legislative measures and public policies taken by the State to enhance business respect for human rights, including enhancing its respect for the rights of migrant workers and the rights of priority groups, and enhancing its commitment to preventing environmental degradation.

For his part, H.E Mr. Sultan bin Hassan Al-Jamali said: Our dialogue on business and human rights comes to chart a path for responsible business practices in the Arab region, based on the principle of universality, interconnectedness, interdependence and indivisibility of human rights, which prompts me to point out our work with our partners at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to enhance the capacities of national human rights institutions in monitoring economic, social and cultural rights, as well as the network’s efforts to enhance the role of national human rights institutions and their capacities in monitoring and following up on the implementation of the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He stressed the need to enact laws that regulate business, with regulations, measures and instructions that adopt the human rights approach; to protect rights and promote social, economic and cultural equality for societies in general and for individuals and vulnerable and marginalized groups in particular, as they are more affected than others by business activities that do not take human rights into account, considering that through Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the rest of the goals can be implemented, as it is the key to implementing all the goals of this plan. 

In the same context, Professor Damilola Sunday Olawuyi said: “This dialogue represents an appropriate opportunity to raise awareness and enhance cooperation on business and human rights issues in Arab countries. By highlighting the progress made and the challenges that remain, companies and governments can be better prepared to align their practices and decision-making to promote the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights across all areas of their activities. This dialogue is an important step in this regard, and we look forward to building on its key outcomes.”

The two-day event features plenary sessions, expert panels, and focused group discussions on various dimensions of business and human rights, including corporate respect for women’s rights, the rights of the child, labour rights, and the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. Stakeholders from across the Arab States, alongside international experts, engage in South-South and South-North exchanges to share good practices and strategies for addressing regional business-related human rights challenges.

Key sessions focus on:

• Charting the Course: Setting the priorities and actions needed to advance business and human rights in the region;
• States’ Duty to Protect: Creating a conducive regulatory environment to support responsible business operations;
• Corporate Responsibility to Respect: Adopting a human rights-based approach in business operations and relationships;
• Access to Remedies: Developing people-centered mechanisms to provide effective remedies for those affected by business activities;
• The Way Forward: Shaping the future agenda for business and human rights in the Arab States.

The event also serves as a platform for launching a multi-stakeholder network to facilitate cross-sectoral and cross-industry collaborations, providing a safe space for rights-holders to voice their concerns and contribute to policy-making.

For more information about the event, please visit: www.bhr-arabstates.com.

Contact Information:
For media inquiries or additional details, please contact bhr.arabstates@undp.org. 

This event is organized by Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee,  the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRI), the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights (UNWG), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and UNICEF.

About UNDP:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading United Nations organization working to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Operating in 170 countries, UNDP helps countries to build integrated, sustainable solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow us on Twitter @UNDPArabStates & @UNDP.