Agenda

Explore the latest Forum agenda below or download a copy.

09:00-11:00 GMT+0

HIGH-LEVEL OPENING PLENARY
From Commitment to Action: Advancing Remedy, Reparations and Responsible Business Conduct in Africa

Session partners: ABHR Forum organizers

11:30-12:50 GMT+0

INDIGENOUS CAUCUS (closed-door)
Voices from the Frontlines: Bridging Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Corporate Responsibility

Session partner: Indigenous Peoples’ Rights International, Business and Human Rights Centre, Zero Tolerance Initiative

11:30-12:50 GMT+0

CIVIL SOCIETY CAUCUS
From Compliance to Reciprocity: Advancing Binding Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (mHREDD) Laws in Africa for Climate Justice and Sustainable Development.

Session partner: African Coalition for Corporate Accountability, Coalition for Human Rights in Development, Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition

11:30-12:50 GMT+0

BUSINESS CAUCUS
IOE-UNGC-ICELIS safe-space session

Session partners: International Organisation of Employers, ICELIS Global, UN Global Compact

11:30-12:50 GMT+0

Realising the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment through Human Rights Due Diligence: Advancing an Equitable Transition in Africa

Session partners: Business and Human Rights Centre, Network of African National Human Rights Institutions

11:30-12:50 GMT+0

YOUTH CAUCUS
Youth and BHR: Understanding and Shaping the Agenda in Africa

Session partners: Pan-African Youth Alliance for Business and Human Rights, United Nations Development Program

11:30-12:50 GMT+0

Leaving No One Behind: Protecting Groups at Risk in Advancing Responsible Business Conduct in Africa

Session partners: UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

14:00-15:20 GMT+0

Responsible Business and Toxic Exposure in Africa: Protecting Human Rights Across Agrifood and Industrial Supply Chains

Session partners: Global Human Rights Centre, The Examination

14:00-15:20 GMT+0

Protecting Workers in a Rapidly Warming World: Extreme Heat as a Salient Human Rights Risk

Session partner: Ethical Trading Initiative

14:00-15:20 GMT+0

Turning Policy into Practice: Reflections from Uganda’s Five-Year Journey Implementing the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights

Session partners: Belgian Agency for International Cooperation (Enabel in Uganda), Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development -Uganda, The Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Uganda)

14:00-15:20 GMT+0

Workforce Data and Engagement: How Suppliers Can Navigate HRDD

Session partner: Thomson Reuters Foundation

14:00-15:20 GMT+0

Preventing the Vicious Cycle of Environmental Harm and Community Conflict: Case Studies from Tanzania and Mozambique’s Critical Minerals Sector

Session partners: HakiRasilimali, Avocats Sans Frontières and Business and Human Rights Tanzania (BHRT) with support from IPIS – International Peace Information Service, DCAF – The Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance

14:00-15:20 GMT+0

Menstrual Health, SRHR and Decent Work: Building Inclusive African Workplaces for Girls and Women

Session partners: Danish Family Planning Association, World for Her

15:40-17:00 GMT+0

Business Perspective on Integrating Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence

Session partner: United Nations Global Compact

15:40-17:00 GMT+0

Protecting Communities and the Environment in Senegal's Extractive Sector: From Human Rights Due Diligence to Effective Remedy

Session partners: UNDP Senegal Country Office, National Human Rights Commission of Senegal, Directorate for Human Rights, Ministry of Justice, ONG La Lumière (Kédougou)

15:40-17:00 GMT+0

Beyond Technical Compliance: Advancing Labour Rights through Effective NAPs on Business and Human Rights in Africa

Session partners: The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung African Union Cooperation Office, Ethiopia

15:40-17:00 GMT+0

Rights Holder Centric Access to Remedy: Designing, Finding and Utilising Effective Grievance Mechanisms

Session partners: Business and Human Rights Centre, European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)

15:40-17:00 GMT+0

Strengthening Corporate Accountability in the Just Transition: Women's Leadership, Inclusive Participation, and Remedy Across Indigenous Territories

Session partners: Business and Human Rights Centre, Indigenous Peoples' Rights International, Pastoralists Indigenous Non-Governmental Organizations Forum, IMPACT Kenya

15:40-17:00 GMT+0

The Moral Compass of Mining: Faith, Justice and Environmental Rights in Africa’s Mining Sector

Session partners: Norwegian Church Aid Advocacy Programme Africa, The Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa

9:00-10:20 GMT+0

From Rhetoric to Reality: Responsible Business and the Right to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment in Africa

Session partners: OGEES Institute Nigeria, Arche Advisors

9:00-10:20 GMT+0

Cobalt, Copper and Corporate Harm: Seeking justice for workers and communities in the DRC

Session partner: DanChurchAid, Economic Justice Network of the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa, SynDev, Centre for Economic and Social Rights, Tax Justice Network Africa, Stop the Bleeding Campaign

9:00-10:20 GMT+0

Réaliser le droit à un environnement propre, sain et durable grâce à une conduite responsable des entreprises locales engagées sur les chantiers des Jeux Olympiques de la Jeunesse

Session partners: Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques de la Jeunesse Dakar 2026, Bureau international du Travail, SOGEA SATOM, AGEROUTE, SETEC

9:00-10:20 GMT+0

Invisible Labour, Visible Harm: Gendered Environmental Justice and Community Power in Africa’s Extractive Sector

Session partners: Centre for Applied Legal Studies, Permanent Mission of Malawi to the United Nations in Geneva, Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation

9:00-10:20 GMT+0

People, Planet, and Progress: Advancing the Human Rights to Environment, Health and Education through Regulatory Reform and Just Transition Frameworks in Africa

Session partners: Webber Wentzel, SECTION27

9:00-10:20 GMT+0

Powering AI in Africa: Data Centres, Community Rights, and Environmental Accountability

Session partner: Thomson Reuters Foundation

10:40-12:00 GMT+0

With or Without You: How Emerging Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Legislation Can Bring People and Planet Together

Session partners: United Nations Development Program, United Nations Environment Program

10:40-12:00 GMT+0

Systematic Use of Illegal Forced Land Evictions As a Path to Pave Way for Foreign Investment In Disregard of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

Session partner: ELDC

10:40-12:00 GMT+0

A Liveable Planet for Every Child: Ensuring the Rights and Wellbeing of Children in Africa through Responsible Business Conduct in the Energy Transition Agenda

Session partners: United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, United Nations Global Compact, United Nations Capital Development Fund

10:40-12:00 GMT+0

Charting a Just Energy Transition: Advancing Fair Benefit Sharing and responsible Business Conduct for a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Session partners: Vodacom Group, Thomson Reuters Foundation, Zero Tolerance Initiative, The Pastoralist Alliance for Resilience and Adaptation Across Nations – Kenya

10:40-12:00 GMT+0

Human Rights Due Diligence Clinic: From Commitment to Compliance and Building Effective HRDD Systems in Africa

Session partner: AfriRIGHTS – Pan African Think Tank on Rights Centric Business

10:40-12:00 GMT+0

Youth Advancing RBC and AfCFTA: Green Trade, Eco-Innovation, and Human Rights in Fragile Communities.

Session partners: African Union Youth Commission, International Pardon Foundation

13:00-14:20 GMT+0

Child Labour for the Environment? A Documentary on Corporate Responsibility, Critical Minerals and Child Rights in the Green Transition

Session partner: The Centre for Child Rights and Business

13:00-14:20 GMT+0

Community Voices from across the Energy Spectrum: Just Transition, Corporate Accountability, and the Binding Treaty Process

Energy, Extraction, Harm: How Communities Are Building Accountability?

Session partners: African Coalition for Corporate Accountability, Coalition for Human Rights in Development, Accountability Counsel, Seinoli Legal Centre

13:00-14:20 GMT+0

Practical Clinic on Human Rights Due Diligence and Responsible Business Conduct: An IOE Step-by-Step Approach

Session partner: International Organisation of Employers

13:00-14:20 GMT+0

An Integrated Academic Dialogue and Book Launch
Beyond Extraction: Human Rights, Responsible Business and Africa’s Just Transition

Session partners: Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria, Danish Institute for Human Rights

13:00-14:20 GMT+0

Avenirs côtiers et gouvernance climatique en Afrique de l'Ouest : intégrer la diligence raisonnable environnementale pour protéger les communautés côtières / Coastal Futures and Climate Governance in West Africa: Integrating Environmental Due Diligence to Protect Coastal Communities

Session partner: Institut Africain de la Gouvernance

13:00-14:20 GMT+0

Understanding Business Impact on the Right to a Healthy Environment and Its Realisation through Innovative Legal and Finance Mechanisms

Session partners: Partner Africa, Webber Wentzel

14:40-16:00 GMT+0

Closing Plenary Session

Session partner: Institut Africain de la Gouvernance

09:00-10:00 GMT+0

3rd Engaging Dialogue Between Business and Civil Society Organisations to Advance Human Rights

Forum Plenary

10:30 - 11:50 GMT+0

Le secteur privé comme partenaire stratégique du développement durable au Sénégal

Session partner: UNRCO

10:30 - 11:50 GMT+0

Moving with Resilience: Rethinking Labour Mobility in a Changing Climate

Session partner: Institute for Human Rights and Business

10:30 - 11:50 GMT+0

Cooperative Business Models to Empower Waste Workers: The Blueprint for Inclusive Recycling Supply Chains

Session partner: The Circulate Initiative

10:30 - 11:50 GMT+0

Recours pour victimes, Responsabilités des syndicats et organisations de défense des droits humains face au non respect des droits humains par les entreprises au Sénégal

Session partner: Rencontre Africaine pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme (RADDHO)

10:30 - 11:50 GMT+0

Upfront Company-Community Agreements as a Just Alternative to Development-Forced Displacement

Session partners: Inclusive Development International, Oxfam

10:30 - 11:50 GMT+0

Dedicated Business Session for African Youth Professionals:
Promoting the Next Generation in the Business and Human Rights Agenda in Africa

Session partner: International Organisation of Employers

12:10-13:30 GMT+0

Environmental Crimes: Perspectives and Pathways to Corporate Accountability

Session partners: Webber Wentzel Attorneys, Trial International, Source International

12:10-13:30 GMT+0

Youth, Climate Justice and Corporate Accountability: Advancing the African Court Petition for an Advisory Opinion on State Obligations in Response to the Climate Crisis

Session partners: Resilient40, World’s Youth for Climate Justice, Oxfam in Africa

12:10-13:30 GMT+0

Rising Green Investment in Africa: Protecting Policy Space from Investor-State Dispute Settlement to ensure Environmental Rights.

Session organizers: Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, Business and Human Rights Centre, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

12:10-13:30 GMT+0

Navigating Due Diligence: A Practical Simulation Lab for Local Solutions / Naviguer dans le devoir de diligence – un laboratoire pratique de simulation pour des solutions locales

Session partner: EU Due Diligence Navigator for Partner Countries (implemented by GIZ)

12:10-13:30 GMT+0

Transparency in the Just Transition: Towards a Sustainable Energy Future

Session partner: Open Secrets

14:30-15:50 GMT+0

Invisible Poison to Clean Pathways: Closing Environmental Monitoring Gaps and Advancing Mercury-Free Artisanal Mining for Just Climate Transitions in Africa

Session partners: AfriMali Insight - Tanzania, Community Initiative Action Group - Kenya

14:30-15:50 GMT+0

Perfect Policy or Practical Protection? Addressing Environmental Risks in Mining with Rights Based Remedies

Session partners: United Nations Development Program, United Nations Environment Program

14:30-15:50 GMT+0

Strengthening Legal Support for Community-Led Environmental Accountability

Session partner: PILNET

14:30-15:50 GMT+0

Business Perspective on the Just Transition

Session partner: United Nations Global Compact

14:30-15:50 GMT+0

Business and Conflict Community of Practice Workshop at Africa Regional BHR Forum (Part 1)

Session partner: Business and Conflict Community of Practice, UNDP

14:30-15:50 GMT+0

Invisible in the Transition: Disability, Accountability and Africa's Just Transition

Session partners: Sightsavers, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

16:10-17:30 GMT+0

Voices from the Ground: Multi-Country Poster session on Resettlement, Compensation and Rights in Transition Minerals Mining

Session partner: Danish Institute for Human Rights

16:10-17:30 GMT+0

Beyond Shining Illusions: Impacts from Diamond Mining and Lessons for Realising Environmental Rights in Extractives Industries

Session partner: Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition

16:10-17:30 GMT+0

Documentary “Toxic Harvest”: Food Sovereignty for Equitable Supply Chains: Workers' Rights, Hazardous Pesticides and Responsible Business Conduct

Session partner: Women on Farms Project

16:10-17:30 GMT+0

Business and Conflict Community of Practice Workshop at Africa Regional BHR Forum (Part 2)

Session partners: Business and Conflict Community of Practice, UNDP

Agenda

HIGH-LEVEL OPENING PLENARY From Commitment to Action: Advancing Remedy, Reparations and Responsible Business Conduct in Africa

INDIGENOUS CAUCUS (closed-door) Voices from the Frontlines: Bridging Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Corporate Responsibility

CIVIL SOCIETY CAUCUS From Compliance to Reciprocity: Advancing Binding Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (mHREDD) Laws in Africa for Climate Justice and Sustainable Development.

BUSINESS CAUCUS IOE-UNGC-ICELIS safe-space session

Realising the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment through Human Rights Due Diligence: Advancing an Equitable Transition in Africa

YOUTH CAUCUS Youth and BHR: Understanding and Shaping the Agenda in Africa

Leaving No One Behind: Protecting Groups at Risk in Advancing Responsible Business Conduct in Africa

Responsible Business and Toxic Exposure in Africa: Protecting Human Rights Across Agrifood and Industrial Supply Chains

Protecting Workers in a Rapidly Warming World: Extreme Heat as a Salient Human Rights Risk

Turning Policy into Practice: Reflections from Uganda’s Five-Year Journey Implementing the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights

Workforce Data and Engagement: How Suppliers Can Navigate HRDD

Preventing the Vicious Cycle of Environmental Harm and Community Conflict: Case Studies from Tanzania and Mozambique’s Critical Minerals Sector

Menstrual Health, SRHR and Decent Work: Building Inclusive African Workplaces for Girls and Women

Business Perspective on Integrating Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence

Protecting Communities and the Environment in Senegal's Extractive Sector: From Human Rights Due Diligence to Effective Remedy

Beyond Technical Compliance: Advancing Labour Rights through Effective NAPs on Business and Human Rights in Africa

Rights Holder Centric Access to Remedy: Designing, Finding and Utilising Effective Grievance Mechanisms

Strengthening Corporate Accountability in the Just Transition: Women's Leadership, Inclusive Participation, and Remedy Across Indigenous Territories

The Moral Compass of Mining: Faith, Justice and Environmental Rights in Africa’s Mining Sector

HIGH-LEVEL OPENING PLENARY
From Commitment to Action: Advancing Remedy, Reparations and Responsible Business Conduct in Africa

INDIGENOUS CAUCUS (closed-door)
Voices from the Frontlines: Bridging Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Corporate Responsibility

CIVIL SOCIETY CAUCUS
From Compliance to Reciprocity: Advancing Binding Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (mHREDD) Laws in Africa for Climate Justice and Sustainable Development.

BUSINESS CAUCUS
IOE-UNGC-ICELIS safe-space session

YOUTH CAUCUS
Youth and BHR: Understanding and Shaping the Agenda in Africa