13th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights: Concept Note and Call for Session Proposals on 2024 Theme: "Realizing the “Smart Mix of Measures” to protect human rights in the context of business activities"

 

 

I am delighted to pass along the Concept Note and Call for Session Proposals recently circulated by the Working Group for Business and Human Rights for the 2024 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights scheduled to tale place 25 - 27 November 2024 in Geneva but also in hybrid form.

13th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights
Date: 25 - 27 November 2024

LOCATION: Hybrid – in-person elements in Palais des Nations, Geneva (Switzerland)
THEME: Realizing the “Smart Mix of Measures” to protect human rights in the context of business activities

United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights
Concept note: PDF | Word
Call for session proposals: Via this online form by 19 April 2024
Follow us on X for updates:@WGBizHRs
Hashtag: #UNForumBHR / #bizhumanrights

The Concept Note and Call for Session Proposal follows.

Concept Note
13th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights
25 - 27 November 2024
Realizing the “Smart Mix of Measures” to protect human rights in the context
of business activities

Overview
Since its first session in 2012, the annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights has
brought together thousands of participants from governments, international organizations,
business, civil society, trade unions, communities, lawyers, and academia from around the
world (there were 4,000 participants in 2023). Centred on the UN Guiding Principles on
Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) – the authoritative global framework for States and
businesses in relation to preventing the adverse impacts on human rights arising from
business activities – the Forum provides a unique multi-stakeholder platform for discussing
key trends and challenges in implementing and advancing the UNGPs.

Established by the UN Human Rights Council, the Forum is guided and chaired by the UN
Working Group on Business and Human Rights. It is organized by the Office of the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Focus of the 2024 Forum
The “smart mix of measures” – national, international, voluntary and mandatory – has been
central to the realization of the UNGPs over the past decade. Already into the second decade
of implementation, this is the moment to reflect on what the “smart mix” means now and
into the future, what has worked and not worked, and how should the smart mixes that are
emerging in different parts of the world better integrate access to remedy as the third pillar of
the UNGPs in view of novel challenges, including those presented by the fragility of global
value chains.

Accordingly, this Forum will offer participants a multi-stakeholder platform to explore key
trends and prospects at the national, regional, and global levels in relation to the
implementation of the UNGPs through a “smart mix”. This may include specific application
and implementation of a smart mix of measures in the following proposed, but not exhaustive
areas :

• State action;
• Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI);
• Access to Remedy for all;
• Climate change, environmental challenges, and nature-based solutions;
• Indigenous Peoples rights; and
• Human rights due diligence.
These sessions and others will examine both the challenges and opportunities of the smart
mix.
In considering these challenges, the key questions which are likely to be considered at the
Forum include:
• What are the drivers for, and obstacles to, a smart mix in any area?
• To what extent is there evidence of smart mixes at the national, regional, and
international levels?
• What, if any, are the impacts of smart mixes on the lived experiences of those affected
by business activities?
• What good practices of smart mixes can be found in the actions of States, businesses,
and other stakeholders?
• What are effective multi-stakeholder approaches for ensuring an effective smart mix of
measures?

This Forum provides an opportunity to reflect critically on the changes which have been made
by smart mixes since the UNGPs were adopted. Participants will consider whether and to
what extent these changes have proved effective, especially for rights-holders, and what still
needs to be achieved.

The Forum will also provide an opportunity to address various other issues in focus. These
may include “standing items” for the Forum agenda, such as:

• Region focused sessions;
• Sessions led by organisation such as ILO, OECD, and the Business and Human Rights Unit
of the OHCHR;
• Indigenous Peoples rights and impacts of business activities; and
• Gender, business and human rights
Discussions may also include emerging or systemic issues that confront the business and
human rights agenda.

A tentative Forum programme is expected in July 2024.
The full agenda will be posted on the Forum web page by the end of September 2024.
Participating in the Forum
The Working Group makes an open call for session proposals and side events, as part of its
inclusive approach for the Forum. However, as renovations to the United Nations buildings in
Geneva are ongoing, it is still unclear at this stage as to how many sessions will be possible
and whether the format will be in-person only or hybrid.

Proposals for sessions are very welcome. These must include:

• An outline of the proposed topic and its focus and key objectives – limited to 250
words;
• Proposed speakers, with a maximum of 5 speakers plus a moderator

o Please indicate name, organization, and envisaged contribution
o Emphasis will be given to identifying skilled moderators/facilitators with
expertise in the topics on the Forum agenda
o Proposed speakers must reflect diversity of gender, region and stakeholder
background (e.g, State, business and civil society organisation). The Working
Group will not accept proposals with panels that are not well balanced.

• The organisers of the proposal – only one proposal per organization will be considered.
• Joint proposals are accepted but only a maximum of two joint proposals for any one
organisation.

Please be aware of the following:

• Given the growth in the number of submissions since 2012 and the limited capacity
due to ongoing building renovations, it will not be possible to accommodate all
proposals. In some instances, two or more proposals may be merged.
• The Working Group is a co-organiser of all sessions. This means that we may need to
recommend speakers to reflect better a diversity of stakeholders. So please do not
confirm with any proposed speakers before the agreement by the Working Group of
the speaker panel.
• We are not sure yet if there will be space this year for accommodating externally
organized “side event” requests. Those wishing to organize “side events” in Geneva
before or after the Forum are encouraged to explore options outside of the UN
premises and to keep the Forum organizers informed via ohchr-forumbhr@un.org. We
kindly ask those organizing side events to refrain from scheduling them at the same
time as the forum. Side events that are organized outside of the official hours of the
forum can be advertised on the official forum website.
• All proposals must be submitted to the Forum organisers by 19 April 2024
• Form for call for session proposals: https://forms.office.com/e/3CfTmqNVAm
• These proposals will be considered by the Working Group at their meeting in the first
week of May 2024. Successful proposals will be informed in June-July 2024.

Information about the agenda, registration process and virtual participation will be posted on
the Forum’s dedicated webpage in due course. Stay also posted on updates by following us on
X: @WGBizHRs and LinkedIn: UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights.