Doha, 21 Oct. 2024

A 2-Day dialogue on 'Business and Human Rights in the Arab Countries Region' under the theme 'Charting a Path for Responsible Business Practices in the Arab Countries Region' will be held in Doha on October 28 and 29 at Hotel Pullman, West Bay Doha.

The event is organized by National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in cooperation with Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions; Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights; Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR); and United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Among the participants included National Human Rights Institutions; various United Nation's bodies; representatives of governments and business community  from various industries; Labor Organizations; experts; decision makers; members of civil societies; ; environmental and human rights defenders; members of media;, academic bodies; specialists, experts and decision-makers to reach the best human rights practices related to business.

Mrs. Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, President, Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and Chairperson, National Human Rights Committee of Qatar said that organizing the opening dialogue comes from the belief in close relationship between responsible business and human rights, and close connection between the two sides, in order to achieve the desired goals in the participating countries, and to discuss the rich experiences and challenges in order to reach the best practices related to human rights and related to business practices.

She said that the inaugural dialogue is an opportunity to review national action plans and other policies related to business and human rights. Moreover, it will provide learning about human rights due diligence in institutions (including enhanced human rights due diligence in conflict-affected environments and human rights due diligence with environmental dimensions).

She further added that among the other topics in focus will be providing effective remedies for affected rights holders; role of micro; small and medium-sized enterprises in promoting responsible business practices; impact of regulatory measures on business and human rights on the Arab region (trade and investment, just transition and overall sustainable development).

She explained that the inaugural dialogue aims to raise awareness of the duties of governments and businesses under the UN Guiding Principles; raise awareness of global trends in the field of implementing the UN Guiding Principles, including regulatory measures in the field of business and human rights and their potential impact on the Arab region; in addition to identifying the challenges and opportunities available to promote responsible business practices in the Arab region and coming up with recommendations to accelerate progress in this regard.

Maryam AlAttiya said that the inaugural dialogue aims to raise awareness of the duties of governments and businesses under the UN Guiding Principles; raise awareness of global trends in the field of implementing the UN Guiding Principles (regulatory measures in the field of business and human rights and their potential impact on the Arab region); in addition to identifying the challenges and opportunities available to promote responsible business practices in the Arab region and coming up with recommendations to accelerate progress in this regard.

She said that the inaugural dialogue also aims to create a permanent network of multiple stakeholders, to facilitate the exchange of views and information between sectors and industries, learning from peers and cooperation in the field of business and human rights. Moreover, it will be providing a safe space for affected rights holders to express their concerns about the harmful effects of irresponsible practices by businesses on their rights and contribute to decision-making.

AlAttiya added that through the inaugural dialogue, we also aim to promote and allocate global tools in the Arab region in the field of enhanced human rights due diligence in conflict-affected environments and human rights due diligence with environmental dimensions, and to identify stakeholders interested in trying to use these tools.

She noted that the inaugural dialogue brings together a diverse group of stakeholders to facilitate exchange of views, peer learning and collaboration on topics that include three pillars of the UN Guiding Principles, namely national action plans and other policies related to business and human rights, human rights due diligence of enterprises (which includes enhanced human rights due diligence in conflict-affected contexts and human rights due diligence with environmental dimensions), and access to effective remedies for affected rights holders.

She noted that the inaugural dialogue draws attention to the role of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, as a fundamental building block of business, in promoting 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 displaced persons.

She said that the inaugural dialogue will look at education and capacity development in the field of implementing business and human rights obligations in the Arab region, as education is one of the foundations and pillars for achieving economic development and advancing the human rights process in various countries.

She added: 'The opening dialogue is based on the strategic guidelines issued by the United Nations team, based on good practices and lessons learned from the annual regional forums held by the United Nations, including those held in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Latin America.