Information on the Upcoming 2016 U.N. Forum on Business and Human Rights

The 2016 United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights will be held 14-16 November 2016 in Geneva. From the Forum website.

The UN Forum is the world's largest annual gathering on business and human rights with some 2,300 participants from government, business, community groups and civil society, law firms, investor organisations, UN bodies, NHRIs, trade unions, academia and the media.

Over three days, participants take part in 60+ panel discussions on topics that relate to the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (the "Protect", "Respect" and "Remedy" Framework), as well as current business-related human rights issues.

The Forum is the foremost event to network, share experiences and learn about the many initiatives to promote corporate respect for human rights. For a summary of the 2015 Forum discussions, click here.

Information about the Fourm and links follow.


 Date:

	14-16 November 2016, Geneva (Switzerland)
Location:	Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Contact:	General inquiries: forumbhr@ohchr.org Registration and logistics inquiries: registrationforumbhr@ohchr.org
Forum title:	"Leadership and Leverage: Embedding human rights in the rules and relationships that drive the global economy"
Register!	Register for the Forum Deadline: Tuesday 8 November COB There is no registration fee. Registration takes approximately 5 mins. You must first create a user account before entering the participant(s) details.
Programme:	Latest programme - the Forum will examine 3 main areas: State leadership and leverage: discussions will focus on the need for Governments to step up their efforts to protect human rights and lead by example in their own business-related operations. Business leadership and leverage: sessions will unpack the dual concepts of leadership and leverage across the company value chain and in business relationships with various stakeholders. The role of financial institutions: participants will take a closer look at how human rights intersect with capital markets and explore the responsibility of financiers to drive respect.
Speakers:	Latest speaker list
Twitter hashtag:	#bizhumanrights
Practical information:	Logistics note Map Hotel information I-II
Reasons to attend:	Download flyer with some highlights of the event, including currently confirmed speakers and discussion topics.
Get involved:	Click here for information about how to apply for a stand at the Forum "market place" or display of poster presentations.

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The following are materials provided after the conference:

Statements

Plenary statements

• Pavel Sulyandziga, Chairperson of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights - 14 November 2016
• John Ruggie, former UN Special Representative on Business & Human Rights - 14 November, "Embedding human rights in the private sector’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals"
• Mark Wilson, CEO of Aviva - 14 November, "Embedding human rights in the private sector’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals"
• Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, President of the Swiss Confederation - 15 November, Plenary II - Leadership perspectives: Embedding human rights in the rules and relationships that drive the global economy
• Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights - 15 November, Plenary II - Leadership perspectives: Embedding human rights in the rules and relationships that drive the global economy
• Laura Zúniga Cáceres, COPINH - 16 November

Other statements and presentations

• Council of Europe
• European Union

Statements made in session on 'National action plans to implement the UNGPs: stepping up Government commitments and action'

• Greece
• Japan
• Global Business Initiative on Human Rights, on behalf of a group of business organisations
• PODER, on behalf of a group of civil society organisations
• Italy
• Poland
• Switzerland
• Finland
• Slovenia

To watch the sessions that were video recorded, please visit the 2016 Forum webpage and click on the link to the UN WebTV archive or visit: HERE. 

The Secretariat encourages all who took photos at the event, to share them at this link: A selection of photos may be used on the Forum web page (so please only share photos if you agree with this).