Highlights of the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights

Every year, a diverse group of stakeholders—government officials, business leaders, civil society representatives, trade unionists, academics, and media personnel—convenes to dissect the evolving link between commerce and human rights. This gathering, organised by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and guided by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, serves as a platform to exchange ideas. It is also the opportunity to evaluate the progress made in fostering corporate respect for human rights.

The topics discussed reveal an increasingly urgent need for alignment between global frameworks and corporate practice. What follows is a summary of the key issues dominating this year’s agenda.

Universal Standards: Dispelling the Myth of Fragmentation

Contrary to the oft-cited claim that no universal consensus exists in the realm of business and human rights, the UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) offer a robust global framework for states and corporations to mitigate the adverse effects of business activities on human rights. Complementing these are the OECD Guidelines, which provide more detailed guidance for sector-specific challenges.

Momentum is building. Evidence suggests that more businesses are weaving these principles into their operations, spurred in part by upcoming EU legislation like the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Such laws explicitly reference international standards, further integrating them into the fabric of corporate governance. The ripple effect is clear: companies, motivated by both regulatory incentives and reputational considerations, are moving towards adopting these frameworks at pace.

Artificial Intelligence: Ethical Frontiers

Few innovations have stirred as much excitement—and anxiety—as artificial intelligence. With its applications spreading across finance, healthcare, law enforcement, and beyond, AI holds the promise of unprecedented efficiencies and breakthroughs. But it also brings risks, particularly for vulnerable populations who may face discrimination or exclusion as a result of biased algorithms or opaque systems.

The forum underscored the need for strong governance and ethical guidelines to ensure that AI technologies are deployed responsibly. Generative AI tools, which are reshaping everything from content creation to complex decision-making, illustrate the dual-edged nature of this revolution. Missteps can result in societal harm, but careful implementation can foster trust, drive sustainable development, and ensure that digital technologies serve the broader good. Initiatives like the Collective Impact Coalition on Ethical AI aim to help businesses navigate this complex terrain responsibly.

Conflict Zones: A Testing Ground for Corporate Responsibility

Conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs) present complex dilemmas for businesses and financial institutions. Arms manufacturers and dual-use technology providers, while crucial to national security, must heed the UNGPs’ stipulations to minimise the adverse impacts of their products. Yet, the EU's exclusion of the arms sector from the CSDDD has left a regulatory vacuum, highlighting the need for tailored legal and normative measures.

Equally significant is the role of corporate value chains in CAHRAs. From upstream exposure to conflict minerals to downstream projects in contested territories like Western Sahara, companies are increasingly entangled in human rights controversies. Addressing these risks requires a blend of vigilance and compliance with international standards. In order to define and document best practices on being active in CAHRA’s, DPAM also joined the Investor Engagement on Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas pilot project.

Indigenous Rights and the ‘Just Transition’

As the world races toward renewable energy expansion, Indigenous Peoples—who control approximately 25% of the Earth’s terrestrial surface—find themselves on the frontline. Large-scale energy projects, while heralding environmental benefits, often come at a severe social and cultural cost, with land dispossession and economic disenfranchisement among the chief grievances.

However, with adherence to best practices—including proper stakeholder engagement, transparent communication, equitable benefit-sharing, and cultural preservation—renewable energy ventures can transition from being sources of conflict to models of inclusive development. Achieving this balance is essential to ensuring a truly ‘just transition’ that respects the rights and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples. DPAM participates in the PRI’s ADVANCE initiative, which urges utility companies to apply these best practices.

Conclusion: A Call for Leadership

In an era of geopolitical volatility and rising polarisation, the responsibility to uphold international human rights norms falls increasingly on companies and investors. This is no time for a race to the bottom. Investors committed to sustainability must reinforce—not dilute—the principles enshrined in global frameworks.

Now more than ever, sustainable investment represents a moral and strategic imperative. By championing these values, investors can lead the charge toward a future where corporate ambition and human dignity are not at odds but are mutually reinforcing.

There is a pressing need for action at the confluence of business and human rights. The task ahead is daunting, but the stakes demand nothing less than resolute engagement.