Inaugural Business and Human Rights Dialogue in Arab Region to Kick off Monday

Doha: The Inaugural Business and Human Rights Dialogue in the Arab States Region will be held in Doha October 28-29, the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) said on Monday. Themed Charting the Course for Responsible Business Practices in the Arab States Region, the event will be organized by the NHRC in collaboration with the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, OHCHR and UNDP. HE Chairperson of the NHRC, Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, who also chairs the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, said that hosting the event is based on the close business-human rights connection and the keenness to attain the coveted goals in the participating countries and discuss the shared experiences and challenges for the best human rights and business practices. Her Excellency hailed the event as a valuable opportunity to chew over national action plans and policies on business and human rights, in addition to learning about human rights due diligence in institutions including heightened human rights due diligence in conflict-affected contexts and human rights due diligence with environmental dimensions. The agenda topics include access to effective remedies by affected rights-holders, the role of micro, small and medium enterprises in promoting responsible business practices, and the impacts of business and human rights-related regulatory measures on the Arab States Region including trade, investment, just transition and overall sustainable development, she said. She added the event aims to raise awareness of governments duties and businesses responsibilities under the UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs); raise awareness of the global trends in the implementation of the UNGPs including regulatory measures in the field of business and human rights and their potential impact on the Arab region; take stock of the challenges and opportunities for promoting responsible business practices in the Arab States Region and generate recommendations for the acceleration of progress in this regard. Her Excellency added the event seeks a standing multi-stakeholder network to streamline cross-sectoral and cross-industry exchanges, peer learning, and collaborations on business and human rights, and business and human rights cooperation. Affected rights-holders will also be granted a safe space to voice concerns about the adverse impacts of irresponsible business practices and to contribute to the decision-making process, Her Excellency added. This gathering, Her Excellency noted, would also pay attention to the roles of MSMEs in boosting responsible business practices and the life experiences of affected rights-holders, especially those at high risk due to vulnerability and marginalization, such as women and girls, persons with disabilities, migrants and the displaced. Her Excellency added that the event would address education and capacity development in the area of implementing business and human rights obligations in the Arab region, with education serving as a key pillar in achieving economic development and advancing human rights in various countries. The opening dialogue will bring together representatives of governments from various sectors, businesses from various industries, civil society organizations, workers organizations, national human rights institutions, environmental and human rights defenders, the media, academia and the United Nations, in order to bring together all specialists, experts and decision-makers to reach the best human rights practices related to business. To realize the best business practices to safeguard human rights, the event will feature a myriad of specialists, experts and decision-makers including representatives for governments, civil society organizations, workers organizations, national human rights institutions, environment and human rights advocates, the media, academia and the UN. Source: Qatar News Agency